Sexy Without Even Trying

Like Gibbs and Spock, Don Matteo never brags or preens or poses or tries to be sexy. In fact, he doesn't seem to have a clue about his impact on, well, everybody. 

When he arrives back in Italy and gets assigned to the church near his hometown, his friend, the Cardinal says in irritation, "Just try not to look like--"

He waves his hands at Matteo. Matteo looks at him blankly. 

Don Matteo is played by Terence Hill or Mario Girotti. He began playing Don Matteo in 2000 when he was 61. He has Italian and American citizenship.

He is utterly gorgeous. Like Tony Denison, another actor who has aged very well, he exudes charisma. Maybe it's that Italian heritage or the underlying sense of humor. The lack of effort only ramps it up a notch--

Which, of course, is part of the attraction. It's the opposite of the seducer, the libertine, always searching for a tryst. With the Matteo type of handsome hero, the hero's eyes don't stray since they are too busy looking squarely at the world with bewildered exactness (Spock) or irritated demand (Gibbs) or, in the case of Matteo, patient kindliness.

It no doubt helps that the show is shot in jaw-dropping lovely settings. I feel like I do with Last of the Mohicans: look at the scenery!