Nice guys finish last isn’t an old adage for nothing.  Everyone loves to love a Bad Boy, even if the Bad Boy doesn’t love them back.  He has a swagger that’s as much a part of his identity as the image he has to protect.  He’s moody and wild and irresistible.  And he’s a rule breaker.  He probably wears black leather, may well ride a hog (a Harley, not a pot belly), and his smile is more of a smirk–cocky and self-assured.

The Bad Boy wasn’t born bad. Something happened to his idealism and good intentions along the way to his reputation. He’s been pushed and now barely restrains his dark side. Watch out for him, because he plays by his own rules.

So, what are the Bad Boys good qualities?

- He’s a protector–of himself. He’s learned the hard way and he’s a survivor. He’s the guy you want to have by your side if you’re alone, in the dark, on the wrong side of town or down a dark alley.

- He’s got a mischeviousness to him that’s endearing, and acts like a magnet. His dark and mean side can disappear when the sparkle in his eye suddenly appears. Trouble never looked so good–or so exciting.

- The Bad Boy’s got instinct. His experiences have carved out a finely tuned sixth sense that he relies on.

The Bad Boy’s got some flaws, too. Hard to imagine, but here they are:

- He’s been burned and what’s left is a deep-seated bitterness.

- He expects the worst, and because of that, he’ll never be disappointed. He’s doesn’t trust anyone, especially with his heart.

- He’s barely in control of his darker impulses. His pain and betrayal manifest themselves as boiling rage.

Here are some of our favorite Bad Boys:

Richard Gere, playing Jack Mayo in An Officer and a Gentleman. He’s even got the motorcycle.

Shrek. The ogre of every girl’s dreams, and every father’s nightmares.

Bud White (played by Russell Crowe) in L.A. Confidential is a seething bull of a man. A corrupt cop, a racist, and a Neanderthal who actually hits his love interest in the movie. Some might say this bad boy is too bad to be redeemed, but in the end most see the knight underneath the tarnished armor, and are glad that he gets the girl.

Christian Troy (played by Julian McMahon) in FX’s Nip Tuck. Christian is a wickedly seductive plastic surgeon who can (and does) charm the pants off almost every woman he meets. (Okay, we also put Julian under charmer, but he’s equal parts charmer and bad boy. Notice the different pic!

♥♥Johnny (the hero in “One Summer” by Karen Robards), the bad boy comes back to town and finally gets a chance to make his fantasies of his high school English teacher come true!