Many men have rocked facial hair before, whether as an esoteric experiment or a simple style upgrade from clean-shaven.
Celebrity actors, musicians, artists, and legends of old have all grown a beard. Famous celebrities have created various Hollywood beard styles, from Sean Connery to Jason Momoa to Andy Samberg through the ages.
The best celebrity beards match the style and personality of the beardsman and artist. Some types of beards we see include:
- Thick beards with soul patches
- Goatees and soul patches
- Stylized mustaches with anchor beards
- Van Dyke beards
- Ducktail beards
We looked at 61 iconic celebrity moments to find the “best” looks (but remember, there are many beard styles to try).
Hollywood Actors with Beards
We’ve built an extensive look at some of our favorite beards. While some featured are thicker or longer hair than others, we also looked for unique beard styles and trends from years past. Like us, celebrities always change their facial hair, but we can all aspire to have a red carpet beard.
Celebrity beard styles span all kinds of looks, from neat and trim to unruly, wildly thick beards. We’ve gathered the best-looking beards in Hollywood to show you how to groom and inspire your no-shave aspirations.
(Numbered in no certain order of greatest; we reveal our top pick at the bottom!)
1. Tom Hardy
We’ve seen Tom Hardy’s haircuts go from a buzzed, clean-shaven style to undercut looks with a thick beard. Like any true chameleon in Hollywood, this actor has a variety of cool beard looks to try.
2. Jason Momoa
Everyone knows Jason Momoa for his iconic long locks and bushy, thick beard.
3. Johnny Depp Beard
From clean-shaven to scruffy to a stylish Van Dyke beard, Johnny Depp loves to grow out his facial hair. To get the Pirates of the Caribbean’s beard style, we recommend trying out our Johnny’s pirate style beard.
4. Brad Pitt Beard
Brad Pitt has ruled Hollywood for many decades. Women swoon over his natural good looks and perfectly trim beard styles. Here’s one of his classic beard styles.
5. Chris Hemsworth
So, do women like beards? Just look at the Thor actor – he truly makes women melt when he sports a beard.
6. Chris Pine
Pine became a legend for his role as a young Captain Kirk in the Star Trek film series, but his beard has become even more famous after his role in Outlaw King.
7. Samuel L. Jackson
There’s no doubt that Samuel L. Jackson has mastered the bald and beard look.
8. Jake Gyllenhaal
The baby-faced actor has gone through a transformation and now rocks long hair with an incredibly thick beard. He’s also buzzed his head and gone clean-shaven in the past, only to show up to the red carpet with a full beard overnight.
9. Robert Downey, Jr. (Tony Stark Beard)
The Tony Stark beard is a classic look for Robert Downey, Jr. who’s continued to sport a unique Van Dyke style beard even after his role as Iron Man.
10. Patrick Swayze
One of my favorite actors and I still re-watch Roadhouse whenever I get the chance.
11. Andre 3000
12. Ryan Reynolds
Let’s face it. Ryan Reynolds is another chameleon who can change up his hair and beard on the fly.
13. Kanye West
The rapper Ye, fashion mogul, and pop culture icon Kanye West has always had a thing for thick goatee styles and full beards. See more rapper beards and black celebrity beards.
14. Charlie Hunnam
The Jax Teller Beard is the de facto biker outlaw look.
See our ducktail beard guide on how to get this look.
15. Sean Connery
16. Christian Bale
Dark Knight star and legendary actor Christian Bale has perfected the Balbo beard.
17. Jeff Bridges
18. Henry Cavill
19. Idris Elba
Known for his roles in The Wire and Thor, Idris Elba likes to keep his goatee trim but thick.
20. Chris Pratt
From Parks and Recreation to the big screen, the Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt has a legendary beard.
21. David Beckham
His wife may be a fashion icon, but David Beckham is a beard icon.
22. Leonardo DiCaprio
The Wolf of Wall Street star has a classic look that has only gotten better with age and a beard.
23. Jason Statham
One of our favorite bald and beard celebrities is Jason Statham, who’s always rocked a stubble beard.
24. Hugh Jackman (Wolverine Beard)
The Marvel star Hugh Jackman seems to embody Wolverine in real life with his fully grown variation of the mutton chops beard.
25. Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves has maintained a thick patchy beard since starring in the John Wick series, and now he’ll be sporting his unique beard in the long-awaited video game Cyberpunk 2077.
26. George Clooney
27. Jared Leto
28. Andy Samberg
29. Channing Tatum
30. Zac Efron
31. Jon Hamm
The Mad Men star often keeps a tight short beard, but it’s clear that he can grow a thick beard, too.
32. Oscar Isaac
As Poe from the latest Star Wars series, Oscar Isaac truly stole the spotlight, as did his beard whenever he hits the red carpet.
33. Joaquin Phoenix
34. Ricky Martin
For many years, Ricky Martin has been a style icon, but he’s also a beard icon. His neat and trim beard is inspiring for those who want to go for a professional look while growing out a beard.
35. Bradley Cooper
Who isn’t envious of Bradley Cooper’s hairstyle and naturally thick beard?
36. Nick Offerman
The legendary Parks and Recreation actor Nick Offerman often sports a thick, long beard on the red carpet.
37. Benicio Del Toro
The Sicario star loves to sport a salt and pepper goatee or fully grown beard on the red carpet.
38. Donald Glover
The Atlanta creator and musician Donald Glover has one of the thickest and sickest beards in Hollywood.
39. Ben Affleck
Another male actor to take on a Batman role is our favorite beardsmen, Ben Affleck. His natural scruffy beard and brooding good looks seem perfect for the role.
40. Paul Rudd
Funnyman and Ant-Man star Paul Rudd likes to grow a full beard and mustache when he’s not sporting a clean-cut look.
41. Chris Evans
Captain America isn’t so clean-shaven in real life.
42. Kit Harington
The Game of Thrones star as Jon Snow.
43. Viggo Mortensen
44. Antonio Banderas
Antonio Banderas has always been a beard icon.
45. Daniel Day-Lewis
46. Travis Fimmel
47. Bryan Cranston
48. Will Smith
49. Aaron Paul
50. Adam Levine
Adam Levine’s dark, brooding looks made him one of the most attractive men in Hollywood, according to People magazine.
51. John Stamos
The actor was a star on Netflix’s You, and so was his beard. We can’t believe how Uncle Jesse has transformed with his latest thick beard look.
52. Jamie Dornan
Jamie Dornan’s clean-cut look for Fifty Shades of Grey is completely gone with this bushy beard look.
53. Ryan Gosling
Women have been falling in love with him and his beard since The Notebook, but the star has gone on to such iconic roles in films like Drive and Blade Runner 2049.
54. Questlove
The legendary frontman for The Roots has always had a long, thick beard.
55. Zach Galifianakis
We can’t get over how different Zach Galifianakis looks with a fully styled, bushy beard.
56. Joe Manganiello
Hardly ever seen without his thick facial hair, Joe Manganiello has gone from werewolf origins in HBO’s True Blood to playing Flash Thompson in Spider-Man.
57. Justin Timberlake
The musician-turned-actor used to sport curls and a clean-shaven baby face, but all of that’s gone away. He was hiding this epic beard the whole time.
58. Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart is one of the best comedians of our time, and his beard is pretty epic, too.
59. John Krasinski
From Jim to A Quiet Place to Jack Ryan, John Krasinski is another chameleon who’s foregone shaving his beard.
60. Michael Fassbender
From Jim to A Quiet Place to Jack Ryan, John Krasinski is another chameleon who’s foregone shaving his beard.
61. Zayn Malik
Who Has the Best Beard?
Who has the most famous beard of all in Hollywood? We think a full, well-maintained beard shows the pure tenacity, patience, and style of the man. For that reason, we’ve to give it to Tom Hardy.
We also love how Daniel Day-Lewis styles his facial hair, creating an iconic style that combines new and old. This man transforms his entire look depending on the way he grooms his facial hair.
There are so many beards on this list that are remarkable, too. We think Brad Pitt has also varied up his look over the years, and the Tony Stark beard that Robert Downey, Jr. rocks is also an on-trend for men today.
Does Everyone Look Better With a Beard?
Beards complement your face shape, accentuating features like your cheekbones or chin while also creating new angles. Some people look completely different (or even better) with a beard. It honestly depends on your own preferences and what makes you feel confident when you look in the mirror.
Here are the main benefits of growing a beard:
- Style change up
- Face protection from sun and wind
- Create new angles and hide imperfections
- Reduces shave time
- Reduces facial bacteria
- May lessen allergy-induced asthma attacks
- Look more confident and wise
- May help you with finding a mate (women love beards since they represent masculinity, according to this scientific study)
Are Beards in Style in 2024?
Beards are trending higher than normal for 2024. Perhaps because it’s the need for a strong masculine look! I can attest to that statement.
Looking at actors with beards, you’ll see each has a unique facial hair style. Whether it’s a slight goatee, full beard, or stylized beard, most men are trying something new with their look.
Hollywood Beard FAQs
What is a Hollywood beard?
A Hollywood beard at one time was a slang term, but we like to use for a celebrity facial style. For example, we often attribute the Van Dyke beard to musician Frank Zappa and Johnny Depp.
To get your Hollywood beard, try different products and tools, including:
- Electric trimmer with multiple guards (Philips Norelco)
- The Beard Black – Beard Shaping Tool
- Viking Revolution Beard Oil Conditioner
- Boar Bristle Brush
- Badass Beard Care Beard Balm
- Scotch Porter Beard Conditioner
- Regenix (See Matthew McConaughey’s hair growth recommendation – below)
See our guides on beard conditioners, oils, dyes and washes.
How to get a Celebrity Beard?
Start by investing in a quality electric razor, beard trimmer and barber shears. Then learn about shaving, trimming, and fading your beard, including tools and techniques.
We have great guides to help you get your own celebrity beard:
- Pick a Beard Style for Your Face Shape
- How to Fade Your Beard
- How to Trim Your Beard Neckline
- How to Trim Your Beard like a Barber
If you’re struggling with beard issues like dandruff or itch, see our beard growth tips or try a good beard oil to help.
How long to grow a beard?
Studies show beard hair roughly grows ¼ of an inch every two weeks, but some men grow a full inch of hair in a month, equating to ¼ inch weekly. If you’ve never grown your beard out, then you’ll know after 7 days whether your beard stands against this hair growth study.
See our new Long Beard Style Guide
How do you get a Tom Hardy beard?
To get the Tom Hardy look, we recommend the following beard grooming steps:
- Trim along the neckline without your electric razor guard
- Square off your neckline and trim neatly up past the ear
- Use a #4 to even out the overall length of longer hair
- Fade your beard to match Tom Hardy’s sideburns
- Clean shave around the soul patch
- Trim around your mustache and connecting hairlines
- Let hair grow into the cheek hollows or fade with a #2 to a #1
How do you get Jason Statham stubble?
Jason Statham rocks the stubble beard and sometimes grows it out just ½” to 1”. We think it’s his most iconic look:
To get it, we recommend the following beard grooming tips:
- Trim your neckline first
- Use a #3 to even out longer hair length
- Want shorter? Then go for a true stubble beard with a #2 or #1
- Clean shave around your soul patch and connector lines
Wrapping Up: What Will Your Beard Look Like?
Can you grow a beard like these celebrities? Yes! Don’t let a slow growing or patchy beard get in your way. There are many ways to increase your beard growth.
So, if you’re looking to grow a Hollywood beard, then follow our advice, read our guides and get growing. Here’s to your new look!
