Follow TV Tropes

Following

Context Main / TallDarkAndHandsome

Go To

1%%%
2%%
3%% This page has been alphabetized. Please add new examples in the correct order. Thanks!
4%%
5%%%
6%% Look carefully.
7%% Is the character dark-haired?
8%% Is he tall?
9%% Is he aloof?
10%% Does he have admirers?
11%% Consider these before adding an example.
12%% Please don't add just a name and the work they are from. Explain how the character fits the stereotype.
13%%
14
15[[quoteright:233: [[Film/GoneWithTheWind https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/TallDarkHandsome.jpg]]]]
16[[caption-width-right:233:Creator/ClarkGable himself. Accept no substitutes.]]
17
18->''"You will have the tallest, darkest leading man in Hollywood."''
19-->-- '''Merian C. Cooper''' invoking ExactWords to Fay Wray, prior to working on ''Film/KingKong1933''
20
21Well, EveryoneLovesBlondes, RedheadsAreRavishing, and of course there's the sensual Brunette. But for men, there seems to be one main perceived ideal: Tall, Dark, and Handsome. Sometimes, it's a Tall, Dark, and Handsome Stranger.
22
23Tall, Dark, and Handsome Stranger was a pulp fiction trope, particularly in mystery novels. {{Romance novel}}s still play it straight sometimes. This then led to a Tall, Dark, and Handsome casting trope for leading men: Creator/ClarkGable, etc. This is also one of the defining attributes of the LatinLover stereotype.
24
25Historically, "dark" referred to the man's hair and often eyes, not necessarily his skin color. If the man had "dark" skin too, it was meant to refer to a "healthy" or "bronzed" i.e. tanned complexion at best, as opposed to being ''too'' pale or "pasty", and connoting an active lifestyle, getting out in the sun and doing proper manly stuff like horse-riding or hunting. By default he was assumed to be white due to [[MalignedMixedMarriage society frowning on interracial relationships]], to put it mildly. So while the phrase could literally apply to a black man, it's unlikely to be used this way unless it's in a modern work, and thus a slight subversion.
26
27Most Tall, Dark and Handsome men display an aloof, cold, and distant personality, but [[SugarAndIcePersonality they do have a gentle and caring side]].
28
29Being one of the oldest tropes in the book, [[DeadHorseTrope it's nowadays more often used in subversions and deconstructions]]. The actual invocation of the trope Tall, Dark, and Handsome Stranger is often parodied or might be played straight but usually isn't highlighted if it is.
30
31See AloofDarkHairedGirl for the DistaffCounterpart, and TallDarkAndSnarky when combined with DeadpanSnarker or GentlemanSnarker.
32----
33[[foldercontrol]]
34
35!!Examples when the trope is played straight:
36
37[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
38* Roger Smith from ''Anime/TheBigO'' has got the look, the personality and the charm that constitutes this character type down pat.
39* Hagi from ''Anime/BloodPlus'' is the epitome of this as well. In the novels, Kai muses to himself that even guys like him wouldn't be able to deny how attractive Hagi is.
40* ''Manga/{{Claudine}}'': Claude's older brothers- Andrew, Edward, and Thomas- all grew up to be tall, handsome men with black or brown hair.
41* All of the darker-haired males in the Sohma family of ''Manga/FruitsBasket''. Except most of them are pale in skin color.
42* ''Manga/HonooNoAlpenRose'':
43** Heinrich is tall, dark haired and dresses in a suit most of the time. He takes advantage of this to charm the Nazis into believing he's one of them, when's he's actually TheMole affiliated with LaResistance.
44** Like the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Capa man]] he's modelled after, [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rosalpina_13.png Robert Lewis]] is tall, dark-haired and good looking. Helps that he's a SharpDressedMan.
45* ''Anime/HelloSandybell'': [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/alec_17.jpg Alec Peterson]] has dark hair, a slight tan and is a badass who knows martial arts. [[spoiler: When he saves Kitty after she's kidnapped, she falls for him, and they get married in the end]].
46* ''Anime/IsabelleOfParis'': Apart from being a pianist, Jules is a gorgeous man with dark hair and eyes and has a kind personality, which is why Geneviève falls for him even though he is a commoner and she is a Bourgeioisie, and her parents will disown her for their ForbiddenRomance.
47* ''Manga/{{Lady}}'': Peter Pan. It may be hard to notice since he dresses the same way as Creator/WillFerrell's ''Film/{{Elf}}'', but he has smooth pale skin, messy black hair that hangs over every part of his head and neck and sparkling eyes.
48* Andrew from ''Anime/LittleWitchAcademia2017'' has dark brown hair, stands a full head taller than Akko, and is often stated to be quite handsome.
49* Lantis from ''Manga/MagicKnightRayearth'' is black-haired, handsome, and stands at ''1.98m/6'6"'' (neck breaker much?).
50* [[MrFanservice Sinbad]] from ''Manga/MagiLabyrinthOfMagic'', and ''how''. Not only does he exhibit all of the aesthetic features of this trope, his presence itself constantly attracts beautiful girls to the point where just sitting still for a second will get him a [[SexyManInstantHarem harem]]. This does not go unnoticed by the other, less tall, dark, and handsome characters.
51* Trafalgar Law from ''Manga/OnePiece'', being 191 cm tall, with dark hair and tan skin. He is one of the most attractive characters in the series and mostly wear dark clothes.
52* ''Manga/{{Patalliro}}'': Bancoran is a tall brunette, with whom young men fall in love at first sight. It was for this that he became known as "{{Bishonen}} killer".
53* In ''Franchise/SailorMoon'':
54** Usagi's father Kenji, although [[HollywoodHomely much more subdued]]. Her mother ''does'' use these exact words to describe him when he was younger, though.
55** Mamoru and Saphir both. They resemble each other.
56* Ren Tsuruga from ''Manga/SkipBeat'' has rather long legs, is ''very'' handsome, and has dark hair, [[spoiler:though he used to be a blond.]]
57* ''Anime/VoltesV'':
58** Ippei is a ChivalrousPervert with long, black hair, and back in America he was famed for being a rodeo star. He's well aware he's a LongHairedPrettyBoy and constantly flirts with Megumi.
59** Kenichi has jet-black hair and is the oldest of the Go brothers. He's the TeamDad and very good-looking.
60* Hak and Jaeha from ''Manga/YonaOfTheDawn'': Both of them are over 6 feet, have dark hair (Hak's hair is black while Jaeha's hair is dark green), and are considered to be the most attractive in the group. The former is a Hunk and DeadpanSnarker while the latter is a MrFanservice and LongHairedPrettyboy.
61[[/folder]]
62
63[[folder:Comic Books]]
64* ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'': Bruce Wayne. Money is not the only reason Bats is surrounded by women. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree as his adopted sons follow in his footsteps. Dick adds in his magnetic personality, Jason has his Bad Boy charms and Tim is one in the future he's shown in. Damian is the exception since he's still a kid, but in the future, he does get his father's looks.
65* ''ComicBook/{{Blacksad}}'': John Blacksad is tall, a black cat, and constantly being eyed by most females. Add to that his [[DarkAndTroubledPast mysterious]] nature and you have an archetypal tall, dark, and handsome character.
66%%* ComicBook/CortoMaltese.
67* ''ComicBook/LenoreTheCuteLittleDeadGirl'': The comic has the tall, [[SealedEvilInACan dark]], handsome Ragamuffin, in his human form.
68* ''ComicBook/{{Lobo}}'': Lobo, as of the ComicBook/New52.
69* ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'': despite all that ClarkKenting he does to make himself look geeky and awkward, the true Superman is quite beautiful.
70* ''ComicBook/XMen'': [[Characters/XMen70sMembers Colossus]] is tall, dark-haired and very much a handsome {{hunk}}.
71[[/folder]]
72
73[[folder:Fan Works]]
74* Kedar from ''Fanfic/TheAlphabetStory'' is described as "tall, with his father's dark hair but his mother's strong chin". Elsa, however, isn't interested in him. She's interested in his twin ''sister''.
75* In ''Fanfic/BeyondHeroes: Of Sunshine and Red Lyrium'', [[Franchise/DragonAge Varric]] observes this about [[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Lieutenant Renn]]. He describes him as being a "burly, good-looking brute" with dark features who is taller than average for a dwarf.
76* ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm''
77** Harry develops into this by the time he's around 14/15 after a growth spurt or two, and WordOfGod has him growing into a mixture of Creator/PierceBrosnan and Creator/HenryCavill. As a result, there's more than a little EatingTheEyeCandy where he's concerned, somewhat to his embarrassment. Of, course, with his temperament, this leads to more than one person who's seen him in a fight referring to him as "Tall, Dark, and Homicidal."
78** [[{{Franchise/Superman}} Clark Kent]], naturally, is growing into this -- being based on his ''{{Series/Smallville}}'' counterpart (played by Creator/TomWelling) and gets cheekily referred to as "PrettyBoy" by Lois Lane.
79* ''Fanfic/ChildrenOfTime''. [[AscendedFangirl Beth Lestrade]], in a case of LoveBeforeFirstSight ''and'' LoveAtFirstSight (not to mention EatingTheEyeCandy). If Beth is to be believed, Sherlock Holmes is a ''very'' beautiful man.
80* Holmes is explicitly described as ''boyish'' several times in ''Mortality'' of ''Fanfic/DeliverUsFromEvilSeries'', sometimes from Mrs. Hudson's PointOfView (she sees him as a surrogate son).
81* In ''Fanfic/TheGoodHunter'', this trope is stated word-for-word by Molly in regards to Klaus's appearance, and she is far from incorrect. Aside from being tall and dark-haired, he is seen as an aloof MysteriousStranger InUniverse, with several people finding him attractive.
82* In ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'', Kyril is aloof, is taller than most, is dark-haired, and is seen as rather handsome due to his sharp, youthful features.
83* In ''Fanfic/PokemonResetBloodlines'', as a result of being [[AgeLift aged up to 15 years old]], Ash is now at least as tall Brock was in the original timeline (not to mention taller than Delia) and implied to have [[AdaptationalCurves a more muscular build]]. This, combined with his black hair and swarthy skin, makes him pretty good-looking in the eyes of several female characters.
84* ''Fanfic/TalesOfTheUndiscoveredSwords'': [[EmotionlessBoy Sasanoyuki]] is a good-looking sword with long, sleek black hair and a personality that would make him an AloofDarkHairedGirl if he were female.
85* Mahanon, one of the [[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition co-Inquisitors]] in the ''Fanfic/TwiceUponAnAge'' series, is described as being this, being relatively tall for an elf and having dark coloring and handsome features. Varric, writing a letter to Hawke, observes that [[VideoGame/DragonAgeII Merrill]] would think he was a Dalish paragon.
86[[/folder]]
87
88[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
89* ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast'': Gaston is a ChickMagnet and described in song as "such a tall, dark, strong and handsome brute".
90%%* Nod from ''WesternAnimation/Epic2013''.
91[[/folder]]
92
93[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
94* Creator/CharlesBoyer in ''Film/{{Algiers}}'' with Creator/HedyLamarr.
95-->"[[BeamMeUpScotty Come with me to the Casbah]]. We'll make beautiful music together."
96* ''Film/TheChroniclesOfNarnia'':
97** Film/PrinceCaspian. Susan even [[spoiler: develops a crush on him]].
98** Adult/teenager Edmund Pevensie fits the description quite well. He's also a veritable DeadpanSnarker, starting from ''Prince Caspian''.
99* Colin Farrell in ''Film/MiamiVice'' and ''The New World'' epitomizes the "Black Irish" sort.
100* Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse: Clark Kent/Superman and Batman/Bruce Wayne certainly qualify courtesy of their actors, Creator/HenryCavill and Creator/BenAffleck respectively. Affleck, at 6'4, is, in fact, the tallest actor to play Bruce Wayne to date.
101%%* Creator/DenzelWashington, especially in TheNineties when he was considered to be a sex symbol, and even won Sexiest Man of the Year at one time. Films like ''Mo Better Blues'', ''{{Film/Ricochet}}'', and ''Film/ThePelicanBrief'' helped this image.
102* Notorious ladies' man Catcher Block in ''Film/DownWithLove''.
103* Ladies man Murdoch Glourie as played by the sexy Creator/RobertDonat in ''Film/TheGhostGoesWest''.
104* Creator/ClarkGable in ''Film/GoneWithTheWind'' is the TropeCodifier.
105-->"Frankly, my dear, [[PrecisionFStrike I don't give a damn]]."
106* Pretty much all the Film/JamesBond actors fit the mold, except for Creator/DanielCraig for being a tad short (compared to the rest) and blondish. The initial backlash that ensued after he was cast in ''Film/CasinoRoyale2006'' is a good indicator on how pervasive this trope was and still is.
107** Francisco Scaramanga, Bond's EvilCounterpart seen in ''Film/TheManWithTheGoldenGun'', is described as "tall, slim, and dark"… which is to be expected, since he's played by Creator/ChristopherLee. Hilariously, Bond claims in response that his aunt fits the same description.
108* ''Film/LetterFromAnUnknownWoman'' Stefan, played by Louis Jourdan, is beautifully dark, tall, and handsome. That's why he's TheCasanova.
109* Sir ''Creator/MichaelRedgrave'' exemplified this trope (frequently coupling it with a refined charm) for much of his film career: see, for example, ''Film/TheLadyVanishes'', ''Thunder Rock'', "the Ventriloquist's Sequence" in ''Film/DeadOfNight'' and ''Film/SecretBeyondTheDoor''.
110* ''Film/TheMoreTheMerrier'' has Creator/JoelMcCrea. 'Nuff said.
111* Creator/DanielDayLewis as [[SupportingLeader Hawkeye]] in ''Film/LastOfTheMohicans''. He noticeably gets paired with the dark brunette Munro sister and many shots play up the similarity of their long hair, while his also-handsome Mohican adopted brother Uncas (Creator/EricSchweig) is paired with the blonder Munro sister and the two of them have more visual contrast, which evokes the image of a white/Native American romance all the better.
112* Omar Sharif is the ''epitome'' of this trope in ''Film/DoctorZhivago'' (where his [[LoveDodecahedron multiple love interests]] are the center of attention, so [[MrFanservice female fans]] can spend the entire movie {{shipping}}) and ''Film/LawrenceOfArabia'' (where he was a ''literal'' EnsembleDarkHorse because of this trope), both Creator/DavidLean films. For '' Zhivago'', notably a subversion as far as the actor's actual ethnicity goes, since despite being [[FakeNationality Egyptian of Lebanese descent]] he was ambiguous-looking enough to play a Russian.
113%%* Philip Boynton on ''Film/OurMissBrooks''.
114* The Phantom in the Joel Schumacher version of ''Film/ThePhantomOfTheOpera2004'' as long as he keeps his mask on. Handsomeness goes out of the window at that point--and, for some reason, he also becomes fair because he was wearing a dark wig over his wispy, light brown hair. You see him putting on the wig right while he sings "Seal my fate tonight" before Don Juan Triumphant opens, and we see it fall off as Christine unmasks him.
115* Creator/MelvynDouglas played this sort of character in ''Film/TheodoraGoesWild''. And probably every other film ever.
116* ''Film/ThorRagnarok'': Although Loki is normally a tall, raven-haired PrettyBoy, his all-black Midgardian suit gives him a more masculine appearance, and it makes him look handsome rather than pretty.
117* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries''
118** Creator/HughJackman's portrayal of Wolverine certainly qualifies, although the comic book version doesn't quite count if only because [[AdaptationalAttractiveness Jackman is much taller and more conventionally handsome]]. But both versions are dark, broody, dangerous, and mysterious.
119** Colossus is the tallest X-Man, and he also happens to be a brunet and good-looking.
120 [[/folder]]
121
122[[folder:Literature]]
123* Literature/JamesBond is described in the original Creator/IanFleming books as six feet tall, black-haired and cruelly handsome. His eyes are a cold blue-grey instead of dark, though. Fleming also invoked TextualCelebrityResemblance by having characters say Bond looks like the American musician and actor [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoagy_Carmichael Hoagy Carmichael]] -- evidently someone who Fleming thought fit the mold in real life.
124* ''Literature/AnneOfGreenGables'':
125** Gilbert Blythe is described in the books as being very handsome, with dark, curly hair and hazel eyes. He is tall with a lean build.
126** Walter, his and Anne's second son. With "finely modeled features" and expressive gray eyes, the girls fall all over him from childhood onward. Walter, however, is kind of a CluelessChickMagnet and spends more of his time writing poetry than wooing women.
127* Creator/IsaacAsimov's "Literature/SatisfactionGuaranteed": The [=TN-3=] model (Tony) was designed to do housework, and US Robots & Mechanical Men decided to make it look attractive as well; building him to an above-average height, perfectly groomed black hair, warm olive skin, and attractive enough to make all of the other housewives in the neighborhood jealous.
128--> "Tony was tall and darkly handsome" -- first line
129* Jerin in ''Literature/ABrothersPrice''. He is handsome -- even women who don't lust after him, for example, his kindly former schoolteacher, warn him that he needs to wear a veil in public, as his good looks could attract kidnappers. His dark hair goes well over his shoulders, so he's also a LongHairedPrettyBoy. The text implies he's tall as well; he is able to manhandle an adult soldier out of a brook and onto a horse.
130* In ''Literature/DarknessVisible'', William Marsh is six feet tall, black-haired, and so annoyingly gorgeous that even the protagonist's mother wants him.
131* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'':
132** While few detailed descriptions of his appearance are given, 6'9" Harry Dresden probably counts.
133** Thomas, who is mentioned as being only slightly shorter than him and a [[SuccubiAndIncubi White Court Vampire]], ''definitely'' counts.
134* ''Literature/HarryPotter'':
135** Sirius Black is definitely tall, dark, and handsome. The book constantly reminds us of it.
136** Voldemort/Tom Riddle in his teenage years. Of course, [[BeautyIsBad he was also evil]].
137* The Daemon from ''Literature/TheHeartsWeSold'' is tall, dark-haired, well-dressed, and oddly charming, in his own, otherworldly way. It's suggested he's more of a PrettyBoy than handsome in a traditional, masculine way, however; Dee describes him as "beautiful" in her narration.
138* Gale of ''Literature/TheHungerGames'' shares Katniss's dark hair, olive skin, and grey eyes and is said to be over six feet tall by Katniss, because when they met in the woods when he was only 14, she stated he was already that height. Muscular and good-looking, girls flock to him -- Katniss herself says that Gale would have no trouble finding a wife because he's handsome and strong.
139* ''Literature/ThatIrresistiblePoison'': Ksar is classically handsome, tall, with dark hair and silver eyes.
140* ''Literature/{{Lolita}}'': Humbert Humbert tells his readers several times that he's really, really good-looking. Tall, dark-haired, masculine, handsome, and with the appeal of a movie star.
141-->''"I was, and still am, despite ''mes malheurs'', an exceptionally handsome male; slow-moving, tall, with soft dark hair and a gloomy but all the more seductive cast of demeanor."''
142* ''Literature/LoyalEnemies'': According to Shelena, [[MagicKnight Veres]] is tall with black hair and olive skin but [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial decidedly not handsome]] as she's [[HasAType not attracted to this type of men]]. After spending a lot of time together and Veres healing after being beaten almost to death, though, Shelena [[LoveEpiphany has to admit]] that he ain't all that skinny anymore and most certainly handsome. He even turns out to be a match for [[FirstPersonSmartass Shelena]] [[TallDarkAndSnarky in snarkiness]].
143* Prince Vladimir from the ''Literature/NightfallSeries'' fits all three criteria.
144* ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'':
145** Although when we first meet Aragorn, he is said to 'look foul and feel fair.' While he is described as "grim" when we first meet him, as the book continues, he is constantly described as "noble", with standard Númenórean good looks. The grimness refers more to his demeanor as a Ranger. Not to mention, of course, that he caught the eye of Arwen, who is supposed to be as beautiful as her ancestor who was the most beautiful elf to ever exist, so he definitely [[SheCleansUpNicely cleans up nicely]]. They describe him as "Lean, dark, tall" ("dark" referring to his hair, as elsewhere his face is called "pale"). And when we first meet Strider in the book, he is a subtle TallDarkAndSnarky.
146** Faramir, Boromir, Imrahil and young Denethor all fit this trope. Actually, the Dúnedain in general are tall and dark with a little elvish touch.
147** Any dark-haired elf would qualify, and there are many, particularly in ''Literature/TheSilmarillion''.
148* ''Literature/MediochreQSethSeries'': When Charlotte Johnson first meets Joseph Carrion, he is explicitly noted to be tall, handsome and dark-haired. It contrasts with Mediochre, who is short and weedy.
149* Alec Lightwood from ''Literature/TheMortalInstruments'' shares his mother's good looks and Clary describes him having long limbs like a dancer.
150* Kuroki in ''Literature/TanteiTeamKZJikenNote'' is the tallest of the main cast with black hair and jet-black eyes, and is officially noted to be handsome. TheCharmer traits add to his appeal.
151* In ''Literature/Tempest2011'', the mysterious selkie Kona has long black hair and bronze skin and towers over Tempest, even though she's almost six feet tall.
152* ''Literature/TortallUniverse'': Jonathan of Conte is described as being very handsome, with black hair and piercing blue eyes, and for a time he and [[Literature/SongOfTheLioness Alanna the Lioness]] were lovers. One woman in ''Literature/TheImmortals'' lampshades it, saying that most women around the palace are in love with him to one degree or another. Please describe if he's tall.
153* After Bella of ''Literature/TheTwilightSaga'' is knocked off her motorcycle, she looks up at Native American Jacob Black and says that he is kind of beautiful.
154* Demetri Belikov from ''Literature/VampireAcademy'' is described to be extremely tall (2,01 meters/6'7") with chocolate-brown eyes and long, dark hair which he wears in a ponytail. He is also described to be very handsome and rugged in physical appearance with God-like angular, masculine features. In terms of his physique, he is lean, well-built and muscular.
155%%* ''Franchise/{{Zorro}}''.
156[[/folder]]
157
158[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
159* Gomez Addams from ''Series/TheAddamsFamily'' is suave, mustachioed, passionately devoted to his wife... and just as much a [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} weird]] NightmareFuelStationAttendant as the rest of his family. Not ''quite'' the tallest one there, of course, but still.
160** Downplayed in the 60s TV show but very much played up in the films. In the TV series Gomez was average in height at 5ft10, and while not ugly (and women other than Morticia were sometimes attracted to him in-universe, though more for his charm than his looks) was sometimes described as strange-looking or "goofy-looking" by other characters, although the trope is definitely present from Morticia's perspective (and he also canonically considers ''himself'' to be attractive). In the films he is played by the 6ft2 Creator/RaulJulia, with more neatly slicked-back hair and a more groomed moustache, and it's made very clear that several characters are attracted to him on sight.
161* ''Series/{{Arrowverse}}'' has Ray Palmer, played by Creator/BrandonRouth. He's 6'3", muscular, and ''very'' good looking.
162* Apollo from both versions of ''Series/BattlestarGalactica1978''.
163* Anders, Gaius and Helo from ''Series/BattlestarGalactica2003''.
164* In ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'', Bernadette's GentleGiant ex-boyfriend Glenn (played by Rick Fox) was this to a T, leading the nerdy Howard to [[GreenEyedMonster feel incredibly insecure comparing himself to him and inadvertently pick a fight with Bernadette]].
165* Bryan Connerty from ''Series/{{Billions}}'', played by Toby Leonard Moore.
166* The titular character (played by Gil Gerald) from ''Series/BuckRogersInTheTwentyFifthCentury''.
167* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'': When Buffy first met Angel, he called himself a friend and she said that he was dark, gorgeous in an annoying sort of way. In ''Series/{{Angel}}'' Cordelia calls him "tall, dark, and broody".
168* Ponch from ''Series/{{CHiPs}}''.
169* ''Series/{{Chuck}}'': Chuck Bartowski.
170* James Wesley from ''Series/Daredevil2015'', played by Toby Leonard Moore.
171* ''Series/DueSouth'': Constable Benton Fraser, played by actor Paul Gross, fits the ideal image of what a Mountie should be, including being handsome, tall and physically fit. Describe whether he's dark-haired. The character is, in some ways, an homage to and a deconstruction of the popular depiction of the Mounties, such as the cartoon "Dudley Do-Right" and [[http://www.covernk.com/Covers/L/S/Sergeant%20Preston%20of%20the%20Yukon/sergeantprestonoftheyukon21.jpg Sgt. Preston]] of the Yukon.
172* Johnny Gage from ''Series/{{Emergency}}''
173* ''Series/{{ER}}'' had a trifecta of them, each playing pretty much the same role. First Doug Ross (Creator/GeorgeClooney), then Luka Kovac (Creator/GoranVisnjic), and then Tony Gates (John Stamos).
174* ''Series/FellowTravelers'': The dark-haired Hawkins Fuller is blessed with the classic '50s matinée idol good looks, and it's no wonder that his lover Tim Laughlin finds him irresistible. If Hawk wasn't working for the State Department, he'd fit right in among the Hollywood stars of the era. According to Senator Smith, Hawk is regarded as one of the most eligible bachelors in Washington, D.C..
175* ''Franchise/ASongOfIceAndFire'':
176** ''Series/GameOfThrones'': All trueborn Baratheon males are genetically inclined to be handsome, dark-haired, and well-built.
177** ''Series/HouseOfTheDragon'': Unlike the source material, Criston Cole has a swarthy complexion and wavy dark hair that immediately mark him as Dornish (the hot, desert Southern region of Westeros), which the young princess Rhaenyra approves of. He spends a couple of episodes as her handsome sworn knight before their affair goes south.
178* ''Series/{{Highlander}}'': Duncan [=MacLeod=], in contrast to shorter, dirty-blond Connor [=MacLeod=].
179* ''Series/HoratioHornblower'':
180** Sailor Horatio Hornblower has got it all: a tall slender figure, brown curly hair, dark eyes, tanned complexion, and a handsome manly face. However, he's really fairly skinny and by no means a {{Hunk}}.
181** Captain Pellew has a tall and well-built figure (appropriate for a naval captain), dark eyes and dark hair, his complexion is tanned and slightly weather-beaten (he spends his life aboard a ship after all), and his facial features are very fine. In addition, he's as OfficerAndAGentleman.
182** Lieutenant William Bush is an attractive manly man. His amazing blue eyes contrast nicely with his dark brown hair. His actor Creator/PaulMcGann said that he's in fact quite little and needed a ScullyBox, but Mr Bush ''is'' tall enough.
183* Harmon Rabb in ''Series/{{JAG}}''.
184* ''Series/JaneTheVirgin'': Rafael, a 6'2" LatinLover hunk with jet-black hair. He is the [[RichSuitorPoorSuitor wealthy]], [[BettyAndVeronica exciting, and brooding]] love interest contrast to Jane's friendly, blond cop boyfriend Michael.
185* ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'': Adar, despite being an Orc, looks more like an Elf. While he is scarred and slightly deformed, he still somehow managed to keep most of his beautiful Elvish features intact. He is tall, mysterious, and has long black hair and soulful blue eyes.
186* Don Draper of ''Series/MadMen''.
187* Hawkeye Pierce from ''Series/{{MASH}}'', although over the seasons his raven hair gradually became salt-and-peppered until it was almost [[SilverFox completely gray]].
188* ''Series/Merlin2008'':
189** Lancelot's coloring makes him a perfect visual counterpoint to golden-haired, blue-eyed Arthur.
190** Gwaine, too.
191* Jason from ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers''.
192* Detective William Murdoch from ''Series/MurdochMysteries'' is a classically handsome BadassBookworm.
193* Philip Boynton, on ''Series/OurMissBrooks''.
194* John Reese from ''Series/PersonOfInterest'' is tall with dark hair in the earlier seasons (he later gets some grey so the SilverFox trope is used instead) and is something of a DeathSeeker due to his past as a CIA hitman. Detective Fusco once refers to him as "Tall, Dark and Deranged".
195* Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in ''Series/PrideAndPrejudice''.
196* ''Series/RemingtonSteele'', played by Pierce Brosnan, is handsome and mysterious.
197* Creator/BenedictCumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes in ''Series/{{Sherlock}}'' most definitely qualifies. In real life, he's [[DyeHard ginger]].
198* Dr. Harry Cunningham from ''Series/SilentWitness'', although as a pasty-faced Englishman he's far from tanned.
199* Quinn Mallory in ''Series/{{Sliders}}''.
200* In the second episode of the first season of ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', Clark smiles down at Chloe and she says, "It's amazing how far that Kent charm will get you."
201* David Starsky from ''Series/StarskyAndHutch''.
202* ''Series/StarTrekPicard'':
203** Cristóbal Rios is a DashingHispanic -- tall with dark brown hair and dashingly handsome in a manner which is typical of a gruff LovableRogue. Dr. Agnes Jurati finds him attractive and he becomes her boyfriend.
204** Because Rios selected the self-scan option for the Emergency Holograms on ''La Sirena'', they all appear identical to him, and therefore they share his good looks.
205* Stefan and Damon from ''Series/TheVampireDiaries''. They are both sinfully handsome, with dark hair. And they are both of Italian origins.
206* Derek Hale from ''Series/TeenWolf'' is this, complete with a strong jawline, stubble, hypnotic grey eyes and [[MrFanservice six pack abs]]. He also broods. [[ByronicHero A lot]].
207* ''Series/WhiteCollar'': Neal Caffrey, played by the beautiful Matt Bomer.
208* Justin Russo from ''Series/WizardsOfWaverlyPlace''. The bookworm type.
209* ''Series/TheXFiles'':
210** Agent Fox Mulder is tall, well-built, has brown hair and sad green PuppyDogEyes, tanned complexion, nose... Yes, he's got it all. Being a DeadpanSnarker doesn't hurt.
211** Alex Krycek is a double agent and a dirty rat boy who charms and eventually betrays everyone must be fit and handsome to pull it all off. He has very dark eyes and black hair. Tall, dark, mysterious and ''very'' handsome.
212** Assistant Director Skinner is an older sexy guy. Tall and physically fit.
213[[/folder]]
214
215[[folder:Music]]
216* "Sweet Rosie Jones" by Buck Owens (1968) has the narrator lose the love of the title character to a "tall dark stranger." A year later Owens recorded a spinoff/sequel actually called "Tall Dark Stranger" that explored the trope even further.
217* [[Music/TheDoors Jim Morrison]] in spades.
218[[/folder]]
219
220%%[[folder:Mythology]]
221%%* Hades, Dionysus, and Thanatos from Myth/ClassicalMythology were usually depicted as this; Apollo, as well, arguably, since he was described as having black hair. Don't expect modern works to show this, however; Hades and Thanatos are generally [[EverybodyHatesHades literally demonized]] (never mind his seduction of Persephone, the [[SeasonalBaggage goddess of spring]]), while Dionysus is often depicted as ugly, and Apollo is more often than not blond.
222%%[[/folder]]
223
224[[folder:Video Games]]
225* ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'': Kagura Mutsuki & Ragna the Bloodedge, [[{{Foil}} both meant to contrast]] the blond [[SissyVillain Jin]] [[{{Bishounen}} Kisaragi]].
226* Connor from ''VideoGame/DetroitBecomeHuman'' is tall and broad-shouldered, has dark brown hair, and is good-looking with a chiseled, square jawline and lean, athletic build. Also, the fact that he's supposed to evoke the image of a well-dressed, cold and calculating machine, most likely to give off the no-nonsense, police officer vibe, combined with his aloof and stoic nature, is what makes him all the more mysterious, especially considering the choices he can sometimes make.
227* Apollonius of ''VideoGame/FairyFencerF'' -- very tall, dark hair and outfit, quite dashing.
228* Guy from ''VideoGame/FinalFight'' and ''Franchise/StreetFighter''. Ibuki refers to him as a hunk, [[http://streetfighter.wikia.com/wiki/Guy and it's not hard to see why.]]
229* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
230** Zack Fair, Reeve Tuesti and Vincent Valentine from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''.
231** Squall Leonheart and [[spoiler:his father]], Laguna Loire, from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII''.
232** Noel Kriess from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2''.
233* Hubert von Vestra from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'' is the RightHandHottie of future empress Edelgard von Hresvelg. He's 6'2'' with dark hair always covering his right eye. He was a bit pale and creepy, but grows more naturally into this trope after five years with a courtly suit and more healthy complexion.
234* Sol Badguy and Slayer in ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear''.
235* Terra from ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep''
236* Duo Lon from ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters''. Mai actually uses the trope name ''word by word'' to describe him.
237* Prince Alexander from ''VideoGame/KingsQuest'', by way of being an unironic PrinceCharming. His father King Graham also qualifies in his younger days, though he often leans more into TallDarkAndSnarky territory.
238* Mr. Darcy in ''VideoGame/MatchesAndMatrimony''
239* [[EvilSorcerer Shang Tsung]] with his youth restored in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9'', except for the tall part. Ditto for [[BruceLeeClone Liu Kang]] and [[WeaponizedHeadgear Kung Lao]]. [[TheFightingNarcissist Johnny]] [[CoolShades Cage]], [[BlindWeaponmaster Kenshi]] and his son Takeda, and Fandom Bicycle [[AnIcePerson Sub-Zero]] [[LegacyCharacter II]] all play the trope completely straight, as does [[TheBigGuy Jax]] as they're all canonically at least six feet tall.
240* Susabi and [[GenderFlip Tamamo no Mae]] from ''VideoGame/{{Onmyoji|2016}}''. The latter's case is made even more evident when he loses his CoolMask. Ichimokuren also becomes one when his [[CharacterCustomization skin]] is applied, though he's not as tall as Susabi.
241* Maxi and Z.W.E.I. from the ''VideoGame/SoulSeries''.
242* Yuri Lowell in ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia''.
243* Jin Kazama from ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}''.
244* Malleus Draconia from ''VideoGame/TwistedWonderland'' is 202 cm tall (though since he's a HornedHumanoid, jury is out on whether this is his actual height), has long dark hair, a deep voice and a generally imposing, regal demeanor. It helps that he's based on [[WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty Maleficent]].
245[[/folder]]
246
247[[folder:Webcomics]]
248%%* ''Webcomic/DestroyerOfLight'' and other webcomics by Creator/AGnosis play this straight with regard to the gods that are supposed to be this. Though Hades' attractiveness is a bit undermined by the fact that he constantly looks as if he's not getting enough sleep.
249* ''Webcomic/{{Lackadaisy}}'': Mordecai Heller is drawn as a tall, anthropomorphic tuxedo cat. Asa refers to Mordecai as "swarthy" due to his black fur. The way several women react to Mordecai suggests that he's considered attractive in-universe. His [[http://lackadaisy.foxprints.com/exhibit.php?exhibitid=373 human]] [[http://lackadaisy.foxprints.com/exhibit.php?exhibitid=184 form]] definitely qualifies as dark and handsome.
250* ''Webcomic/ThePrincesssJewels'': Nell Phantom is a tall, black-haired, dark skinned man remarked upon for both his beauty and his loyalty. When he first appears, however, Ariana describes him as "tall, ''muscular'' and handsome".
251* ''Webcomic/Reunion2021'': Shiro is tall, dark-haired, brown-skinned, and brooding and mysterious. He's also considered good-looking in-universe, with random girls commenting on his attractiveness. Rhea wonders if his mysteriousness draws women to him.
252[[/folder]]
253
254%%*[[folder:Web Original]]
255%%* Some [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imXdYuyafEA slideshows]] came up that show this trope is very much alive in the minds of some women. Just read the comments.
256%%* ''WebVideo/TheAutobiographyOfJaneEyre'': Mr. Rochester is Tall, Dark and Mysterious. He's not super handsome, but he's a bit of a muscular {{Hunk}} with funky striped socks, expensive clothes and watch, mysterious tattoos and PermaStubble. Jane, your viewers will crush on your boss pretty soon.
257%%* Menelaos in ''Literature/GreekNinja'', although he's mostly tall. Very tall.
258%%* ''WebVideo/TheLizzieBennetDiaries'':
259%%** William Darcy. Emphasis on tall. Mentioned several times as DamnedByFaintPraise. Needless to say, Darcy is Tall, Dark and Handsome in all versions.
260%%** Bing Lee. RaceLift gives us an Asian version of this trope. Even male viewers expressed their man crush on Bing. He was considered adorable and cute, thanks to dating Jane and being SickeninglySweethearts.
261%%** Fitz Williams, a black and gay version. He's fun character and lacks the brooding or mysterious part of the appeal.
262%%* [[WarGod Ares]] in ''Literature/ThaliasMusings''. His half-brothers lean more toward {{Bishonen}}.
263%%[[/folder]]
264
265%%[[folder:Western Animation]]
266%%* Zuko, Jet, Ozai, and all the Fire Lords from ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''.
267%%* Mako from ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', to the point where even his voice actor admitted so.
268%%* Thomas "Tom" Sloane from ''WesternAnimation/{{Daria}}'' is a good example of this as well.
269%%* ''WesternAnimation/OKKOLetsBeHeroes'': Professor Venomous and his [[even more evil alter-ego, Shadowy Venomous. His heroic former self, Laserblast, is a more muscular version of this trope]]. Seems no matter what he does he can't help being beautiful.
270%%* Vince from ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}'' (according to WordOfGod).
271%%* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'':
272%%** A really, really subtle example is Stan. Stan is the calm, collected one in his group, has dark hair, and even joins the {{Goth}} kids in one episode. Plus, he's the only one who has had a stable girlfriend for a very long time.
273%%** Another example is Craig. It was speculated that Craig was actually number one on the real list of cutest boys that the 4th-grade girls made. He has black hair, too, and even more, he is a true, stoical DeadpanSnarker. He wears high-waisted black pants, making him look taller, and his legs look longer than the other children's. It has been implied in one episode that Craig is actually older than the other kids: that's why they made him look taller.
274%%* The Dark Ace of ''WesternAnimation/StormHawks'' IS this trope. *swoon*
275%%* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'':
276%%** Although he is not tall when he's a teenager, Robin, is definitely dark and handsome. He also becomes tall in his thirties as Nightwing.
277%%** The Newly re-designed Aqualad certainly qualifies. The girls instantly fall for his dashing good looks.
278%%* ''WesternAnimation/XiaolinShowdown'': Chase Young.
279%%[[/folder]]
280
281!!Examples when the trope is invoked, parodied and/or subverted:
282
283[[folder:General]]
284* Best known example (and, maybe, the UrExample) of the convention being invoked would be a Roma fortune teller prophesying that her female customer will meet a tall, dark and handsome stranger.
285* Since it's simply taken for granted that the trope in its classic usage refers to ''white'' men, any tall, dark-haired and handsome man who is ''not'' white in modern media can be considered an unspoken subversion of it, the "darkness" now possibly referring to his skin tone due to non-white ethnicity as well as his hair.
286[[/folder]]
287
288[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
289%%* Bertolt Hoover from ''Manga/AttackOnTitan''. He towers over his classmates with [[AmbiguouslyBrown tanned complexion]] and black hair, dark green eyes, and a classical Roman nose. His personality couldn't be further from it, being a self-described ExtremeDoormat that constantly looks nervous.
290%%%* Sebastian Michaelis aka the "Manga/BlackButler".
291%%* Inspector Shiratori, Makoto Kyougoku, and ''the'' local OneSceneWonder Jinpei Matsuda, from ''Manga/CaseClosed''.
292%%* Reiji Marco of ''Manga/Eyeshield21'' fits the description, but underneath the expensive suits and [[AffablyEvil suave demanor]] is a panicky geek, and a ManipulativeBastard, to boot.
293%%%* ''Anime/MagicKnightRayearth'' has Zagato and Lantis
294%%* In ''Manga/MagiLabyrinthOfMagic'' [[MrFanservice Sinbad]] is this trope in ''spades''. He's got the Tall, Dark and Handsome points that [[SexyManInstantHarem bring all the scantily-clad ladies to the yard]].
295%%* [[spoiler:Neil Dylandy, the first]] Lockon Stratos from ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam00'', might fit, however, [[spoiler: he is a {{revenge}}-obsessed individual. His BackupTwin Lyle might fit more]].
296%%* Gilbert Durandal in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny''. However, he is a WellIntentionedExtremist MagnificentBastard.
297%%* Both Mori and Kyoya use this intentionally as part of their Mr.Fanservice on ''Manga/OuranHighSchoolHostClub''.
298%%* Gilbert Nightray from ''Manga/PandoraHearts'' physically fits the description. Psychologically, though, he's a wubbly mess and often behaves very childishly. The other characters (and the mangaka) enjoy picking on him mercilessly.
299* ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'': Tatewaki Kuno has dark hair (black in the manga and [[AdaptationDyeJob dark brown in the anime]]), is one of the tallest characters in the cast and is very {{Hunk}}y in appearance. In the watermelon chapter and its anime adaptation, Kuno even introduces himself as "Strikingly handsome, dark and tall." Despite Kuno's [[WrongGenreSavvy own thoughts]], he's actually the LordErrorProne rival to the led.
300%%* Koutarou Amon from ''Manga/TokyoGhoul'' is repeatedly noted for both his exceptional height and [[FairCop good looks]], especially when [[BadassInANiceSuit dressed in uniform]]. Unfortunately, he's a workaholic with ''serious'' daddy issues and regularly ends up falling victim to his {{Troll}} of a partner. He deals with his attraction to her by doing pushups on her balcony all night while berating himself.
301%%%* ''Manga/TsubasaReservoirChronicle'': Kurogane.
302%%* ''Manga/WorldTrigger'': Reiji Kizaki and not to mention that he's also muscular and a great cook.
303[[/folder]]
304
305[[folder:Fan Works]]
306[[AC:''Franchise/TolkiensLegendarium'']]
307* During the course of ''Fanfic/TheHeartTrilogy'', [[Film/TheHobbit Smaug]] gains [[HumanityEnsues a human form]] that is physiqued like a warrior, about seven feet tall, and dark-haired. His face ''would'' be considered handsome if he didn't have a condescending personality, fiery golden eyes, and around his mouth cruel lines that make it look like he has spent his entire life sneering at people unworthy of him.
308%%[[AC:''Film/ReAnimator'']]
309%%* "Fairground Gypsy fortune teller" variant parodied in [[http://www.fos-ff.net/viewstory.php?sid=17745 this]] fanfic. [[SlashFic It's Dan, for a given value of handsome]].
310%%[[AC:''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'']]
311%%* All fanfic writers make Craig Tucker this in all fanfics and fanart, especially in the AU High School fics.
312[[/folder]]
313
314[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
315* In Disney's ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'', when Jasmine distracts Jafar by pretending to be mind-controlled into loving him, she describes Jafar as "tall, dark...well dressed..." Apparently, calling Jafar handsome would just be too suspicious.
316[[/folder]]
317
318[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
319* Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse: The title character of ''Film/Aquaman2018'' courtesy of Creator/JasonMomoa. Notably a subversion twice over, in the sense that due to a RaceLift of Aquaman and his father, he's now AmbiguouslyBrown, looking part Hawaiian or Pacific Islander instead of the default white (due to his mother who is not human, yet resembles a white human woman), and in the sense that he's dark-haired whereas his comics counterpart is blond (and would thus not normally count as "dark").
320* ''Film/FromDuskTillDawn'': While at 5'11" Creator/GeorgeClooney might not be quite as tall as others in the trope, Seth Gecko is handsome and mysterious, with a DarkAndTroubledPast. WordOfGod on the DVD commentary points out that Creator/RobertRodriguez, the film's director, deliberately shot Clooney from underneath, to make him look heroic. This is a subversion in that he's not a romantic lead. The head vampire wants to either eat or enslave him, and Kate makes an overture that is quickly shot down.
321%%* From ''Film/TheHobbit'', Thorin Oakenshield, played by 6'2" tall Richard Armitage, which explains why he's quite tall for a Dwarf. Kíli is almost as tall as his uncle, as Aidan Turner is 6'0".
322* The date doctor Alex Hitchens (Creator/WillSmith) from ''Film/{{Hitch}}'' is referred to as this. An example of the modern expanded use of the phrase, as Will Smith is black.
323* The director of the original ''Film/KingKong1933'' [[ExactWords truthfully]] promised Fay Wray that she would be working with the "tallest, darkest" leading man in the world. Although a bit of a stretch: the actual Kong ligature used for most scenes was only about sixteen inches tall.
324%%* ''Film/TheManWithTheGoldenGun'': One of Fransisco Scaramanga's associates describes him in this way to Bond. Bond remarks that his aunt matches that description, too.
325%%* Creator/WoodyAllen's ''Film/YouWillMeetATallDarkStranger'' parodies this trope in the title.
326[[/folder]]
327
328[[folder:Literature]]
329%%* In ''Literature/AlienInASmallTown,'' the phrase is lampshaded to describe Tendai Tamsanga. Notable that, even by African standards, his skin is very dark.
330%%* ''Literature/AnneOfGreenGables'':
331%%** Anne, having read too many nineteenth-century romance novels, expresses a desire for this kind of man. For a year and a half, she has one (did we mention the guy's filthy rich as well?), until she realizes how empty a life with him would be, for he's also dull as a powder (to borrow a term from ''Literature/LittleWomen'').
332%%** Hilariously, the man she had rejected once before but ultimately ended up marrying--Gilbert Blythe--was constantly described in the books as being tall, dark, and handsome.
333* In the ''Literature/AuntDimity'' series, Bill Willis was introduced with a beard, a paunch and thick horn-rimmed glasses when Lori first met him. He later lost all three, and Lori subsequently describes him as being "quite literally, tall, dark and handsome."
334%%* Smasher, a puppy from the Creator/DickKingSmith book of the same name, asks whether his father was like this. His mother says yes, and that Smasher is going to be just like him. However, Smasher is actually really ugly and described as looking like the offspring of [[Literature/TheHoundOfTheBaskervilles the Hound of Baskerville]].
335* Played with in ''Literature/DragonBones''. Alizon, the king's half-brother is described as very handsome, tall and slender like a wolf, and, occasionally, dark-haired. He dyes his hair, which is apparently already going grey, and seems fond of trying out new colors.
336* Parodied in ''Literature/GoodOmens''. Anathema Device hopes that the man she's prophesied to meet will be a tall, dark and handsome stranger. As it turns out, the stranger in question is Newton Pulsifer, who's tall and dark-haired, but not particularly handsome. She decides that she can live with two out of three.
337-->She had been hoping, rather self-consciously, for someone tall, dark, and handsome.\
338Newt was tall, but with a rolled-out, thin look. And while his hair was undoubtedly dark, it wasn't any sort of fashion accessory; it was just a lot of thin, black strands all growing together out of the top of his head.
339%%* ''Literature/HarryPotter'': Snape is an aversion; he's tall and dark, but the author never describes him as handsome, even emphasizing his greasy hair and other less-than-desirable features.
340* In Victoria Hanley's ''Literature/LightOfTheOracle'', the love interest of the main character Kiran fits the tall and dark like an animal until he gets a makeover, becoming so handsome that he goes from being snubbed by the RichBitch Clea to being pursued by him.
341[[/folder]]
342
343[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
344* ''Series/{{Angel}}''. One of the [[TheNicknamer many nicknames]] Spike dubs Angel with is "Tall, Dark and Dreary".
345* ''Series/Batwoman2019''
346** At the end of the pilot episode, a female radio announcer ponders whether Mr. Tall, Dark and Unavailable has returned after an absence of three years. The joke being that what they think is Batman was actually Kate Kane in a batsuit.
347** In "Grinning From Ear To Ear", Kate quips that she got her information on the VillainOfTheWeek from "Bat-sources". Luke Fox suspects she's been seeing Crow Security agent Sophie Moore despite his advice, and asks if those Bat-sources were the "tall, dark and girlfriend-material variety".
348* ''Series/{{Bridgerton}}'': Simon, the love interest of the first season. He's tall, brooding, played by a half-black actor, and seen as the most eligible bachelor in the land. Notably, he would not qualify under the "traditional" definition of the trope due to his ancestry, and the show is consciously an AlternateHistory with a much more diverse and inclusive early 19th-century Britain so it's a textbook subversion.
349%%* Phoebe from ''Series/Charmed1998'' occasionally describes her love interest Cole this way.
350* In ''Series/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths2019'', [[Series/Lucifer2016 Lucifer Morningstar]] does a cameo and says that [[Series/{{Arrow}} John Diggle]] reminds him of his brother Amenadiel. "Tall, dark, and [[AloofBigBrother annoyed by me]]." A double subversion due to both the wordplay and both Diggle and Amenadiel's actors being black.
351* ''Series/IronFist2017''. Misty Knight dubs Ward Meacham as "Tall, Dark and Arrogant."
352* ''Series/LostGirl''. Thus spake Kenzi: "Can we please talk about Mr. Tall, Dark, and Weapons of Mass Destruction Handsome?"
353* ''Series/TheProfessionals''. Thus spoke Bodie: "I believe in ''me'' because I was born tall, dark and beautiful... and engagingly modest of course." He's tall, has dark hair and a troubled past as a mercenary in Africa.
354* ''Series/{{Smallville}}'':
355** Instead of using their names, Lois describes Clark at least once as "tall, dark, and bumbling" and on another occasion as "tall, dark, and single" and Davis/[[spoiler:Doomsday]] as "tall, dark, and scary".
356--->'''Clark''': Davis must have done something to her. Chloe would never lie to me if she weren't trapped.\
357'''Oliver''': Either that or she just can't resist [[BreadEggsMilkSquick tall, dark and Doomsday]].
358** When Lois watches a video from her MissingMom (played by a [[Series/LoisAndClark former Lois Lane]]), she is told that she will meet someone special, and her mother guesses he will be tall, dark, and handsome.
359
360[[/folder]]
361
362[[folder:Music]]
363* When they first met, Creator/DeanMartin told Creator/JerryLewis that people would call him "the Boy with the Tall, Dark, and Handsome Voice."
364%%* 19th-century tunesmith Henry Clay Work's ''Buckskin Bag of Gold'' comes complete with a fortune teller and has great fun taking the wind out of the trope's sails.
365%%* ''Heart'' did a song called ''Tall Dark Handsome Stranger'' which is actually a deconstruction of this trope, taking a rather negative view, all about how much better a NiceGuy is.
366* The narrator of "Answer" by Music/TheyMightBeGiants is trying to sweet-talk a girl and convince her he's "the answer to all your prayers", even though he admits in the last verse he's neither talk, dark, nor handsome.
367-->''You wanted tall\
368I came in under five-foot-four\
369Then you asked for dark\
370I tend to sunburn a lot\
371And as for handsome, well\
372Can't help you there\
373So make of it what you will''
374[[/folder]]
375
376[[folder:Newspaper Comics]]
377* ''ComicStrip/{{Garfield}}'': Jon Arbuckle once asked his cat if he was this. Garfield responded: "Maybe if you stand on a chair, turn off the lights, and squint." A variation was "stand on a chair, turn off the lights, and lie".
378[[/folder]]
379
380[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
381* [[Wrestling/FergalDevitt Prince Devitt]] was one of the most popular foreign wrestlers in Japan but despite being the definition of tall, dark, and handsome he was put under a mask and the second Pegasus Kid. When he unmasked, it wasn't too long before he joined the evil Control Terrorism Unit in Wrestling/NewJapanProWrestling. However, in some other promotions, he was allowed to both use his real Irish identity and remain a beloved crowd favorite, but New Japan was the biggest promotion during his stay there he ended up founding so most people know evil Devitt. He ended up leaving the CTU stable and becoming part of a face tag team for a few years, so NJPW fans know the babyface also, but then he turned heel again and formed the Wrestling/BulletClub at the end of his tenure. Then he went to Wrestling/{{WWE NXT}} and became the GoodIsNotNice / DarkIsNotEvil babyface demon king Finn Bálor.
382[[/folder]]
383
384[[folder:Video Games]]
385%%* There's a trophy in ''VideoGame/BlazBlueContinuumShift'' that makes fun of this trope.
386* During the music video of ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombies'':
387--> '''Sunflower:''' I know your type: tall, dark and dead.
388%%* ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsX'': Celric Obsidian holds a classy and courtesy impression to X-Cross members when they met him for the first time. [[spoiler: Of course, his original character should be like this, but once he's fallen into the paws of Ende, everything went downhill for him]].
389[[/folder]]
390
391%%[[folder:Web Comics]]
392%%* [[http://arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1734.htm Invoked]] in ''Webcomic/ArthurKingOfTimeAndSpace''
393%%* Jyu Viole Grace from ''Webcomic/TowerOfGod''.
394%%[[/folder]]
395
396[[folder:Web Videos]]
397* ''Website/CollegeHumor'', "Meet Cute with a Ghost": Jess's character meets a really cute ghost during a seance. She originally wanted to contact her dead grandfather, but the ghost turns out to be "tall, muscular, with dark hair" and a doctor to boot. Jackpot!
398[[/folder]]
399
400[[folder:Western Animation]]
401* Parodied in ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'', where Pearl, in "The Chaperone", refers to her ex-boyfriend as "long, tan and handsome". Yes, he does [[spoiler: turn out to be a complete dork]]. Taken further by [=SpongeBob=] himself, whose attempt at artificially imitating those three characteristics with stilts, a toaster and braces [[CrazyEnoughToWork makes him the star of the prom Pearl invited him to.]]
402[[/folder]]

Top