I’ll be the first to admit that the romance genre is not kind to the beta hero. He usually fills the role of comic relief or sidekick.
However, the beta hero is a film favorite. I’ve fallen for any number of self-effacing, insecure, nebishy beta heroes in film.
She’s Out of My League - Kirk gets Molly, but his sensitive best friend, Devon, steals the show.
Zombieland - Columbus gets the girl. Remember…double tap.
Knocked Up - Ben Stone, one of the biggest betas of all hooks up with Alison Scott. Definitely an example of the beta getting the hot girl.
Superbad - McLovin’ - need I say more?
Napoleon Dynamite - perhaps the first of this generation’s beta heroes.
Kick-Ass - Dave Lizewski dons tights and gets the girl.
Risky Business - One of the orginal, starring a young Tom Cruise, his gaggle of geeks, and Rebecca De Mornay.
I Love You, Man - Paul Rudd almost always plays the beta who gets the girl.
Pretty much every Ben Stiller movie involves the beta getting the girl. The beta in question may not always be Ben Stiller, but still…
Since I don’t have lots of time to watch movies, I’d love to hear about your favorite betas. I’m having trouble coming up with a beta in a romance novel who is the protagonist and not a supporting character.
In other quick news: Cobblestone Press has a great contest running through Friday the 26th - http://cobblestone-mainstreet.com/afterdark/?p=268
And I have a new release, Come Back To Me, with Evernight Publishing. This story is not for the faint of heart, but I think it’s beautiful. http://www.evernightpublishing.com/products/Come-Back-to-Me-by-Julia-Rachel-Barrett.html
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Congrats on the new release! Wishes for many sales.
I liked Love Potion #9 with Sandra Bullock. Remember that one? I can’t think of the actor’s name….
Happy Release Day for Come Back to Me! Best wishes to you.
I love the title and the beautiful cover.
XXOO Kat
Thanks, Amber! Thanks, Kat!
Sandra, it was Tate Donovan.
Congrats on the release!!!
Personally, I don’t care for beta boys. Nope. They irritate me.
Stacey
Hi Stacey! Most of the time beta boys are cast as the comic relief - unlikely romantic heroes. I’m not a beta-boy girl myself, but I love watching them in the movies!
I liked Houston from the book Texas Destiny. I can only go for the beta guys if it’s in a book. Don’t actually want to see the beta on my screen.
Julia, congrats on your latest release! And many happy sales.
At times [not in every case], I like the combo of an alpha in disguise as a beta. An obvious example is Clark Kent/Super Man and Zorro. There is an argument to be made, which I presented in a blog I wrote for another erotic romance author, Michelle Lauren, who specializes in nerd/beta heroes ~ that the beta side of the hero supported the alpha side of the hero, and vise versa.
No, the beta boys may be fun and witty, and I may enjoy their company, but hands off this woman’s merchandise.
p.s. Tom Cruise may have supposed to be a beta hero in RISKY BUSINESS. However, I couldn’t see him that way in the movie. Any man who can dance like that is not exclusively a beta!!!
Hi Delilah! Thanks for stopping by. I think betas work on screen because they almost always star in comedies. It would be tough to write a drama with a beta. It would take an outstanding screenwriter to pull it off.
Savanna - I agree that Tom Cruise was a mix in Risky Business. Too sexy to be a full-on beta, but his friends were sort of a band of lovable losers.
I love your analogy of Clark Kent/Superman and Zorro - perfect. Most super heroes have their secret identity - a wimpish secret identity. I think they get a thrill out of switching between the two personalities.
You’re so right Julia. It’s almost always a comedy. I love drama and angst so I guess that why I like betas in novels, because they’re put in a serious light instead of the zany sidekick. I love your blog btw. I’ll be stopping by more often.
I don’t know. I’m big on the alpha male, but there is something about the underdog winning too. Guess it is the nerd part of me coming out. Does anyone know/remember how Pactrick Dempsey got his start? He may be the lead as a super Dr now, but he started out as the underdog in such movies as Can’t Buy Me Love, Happy Together, and Loverboy (yes those are my 3 fav of his earilier career). He didn’t quit have the Clark Kent thing going on, but there was a hint of what he has now… Or at least I thought so…
B
I don’t remember him before he was a hottie, but I can see the Clark Kent thing.
Jimmy Stewart could play it either way but his beta hero in “It’s A Wonderful Life” will always be my favorite. While everyone was admiring the industrialist and the his war hero brother, he’d quietly been providing a means for people to realize their dreams and kept the family business going. You can’t really get much more heroic than that!
Oh Paris - you’ve named my favorite beta hero! I love Jimmy Stewart! He’s a beta in both It’s a Wonderful Life and The Philadelphia Story and he’s incredible in both! I just love him.