The 15 Best Beards of All Time

Did you know that an estimated 33% of American males have facial hair? Seems kinda low, if you ask us.

But when we look at the bigger picture, 55% of men all around the world sport a beard style or another— meaning some of us aren’t as clean-shaven as the ~75% of males who shave every single day. And don’t let those ¾ of clean-shaven men fool you. Beards are just as predominant in the history books of some pretty important people as they are in today’s day and age.

Whether you sport a proud beard or struggle to grow more than just a patchy shadow, we all can agree that some of the best beard styles come from athletes, celebrities, and historical figures we all know and love.

So, we’ve compiled a list of the 15 best beards of all time to give props where props are due.


1. Abraham Lincoln



We’re starting off strong with the classic beard style of Honest Abe. The 16th president didn’t always rock the iconic full-beard, no-mustache look, though. He received a letter from 11-year-old Grace Bedell urging him to grow a beard to potentially help get him elected. About one month later, Lincoln was wearing the whiskers and won the race. Thanks, Grace.


2. Zeus


Zeus is one of the most epic names in Greek mythology. He’s the god of the sky, ruler, protector, and father of all gods and humans. He might as well be the god of the beards in ancient Greek religion, too— just look at that thing!


3. Leonardo da Vinci



Da Vinci is known best for his paintings (among several other impressive talents), but his beard is worthy of some Mona Lisa-worthy praise. Imagine if there was beard oil and brushes in the 1500’s— it’d be game over for everyone.


4. John “Grizzly” Adams



The famous Californian mountain man is a no-brainer to add to this list. Grizzly Adams coined his name because of his profession: a grizzly bear trainer. His full, slightly-flared beard style paved the wave for men to toss their beard trimmer aside and rock their luscious face mane with pride.


5. Jason Momoa


Jason Mamoa Beard Rick Rowell/ABC

Momoa is the perfect advocate for looking a little unruly while still looking like he has his sh*t together. Most of his length comes right from the chin and less from his cheeks. Even his on-screen characters prove that long hair and a full beard look pretty bada**— Khal Drogo-style.



6. Hugh Jackman



Two words: mutton chops. The Wolverine star goes down in cinematic history as having one of the best beard styles in Hollywood. It falls somewhere between a thick, full beard (minus the mustache), and overgrown mutton chops. When he’s not in character, Jackman grows some pretty serious scruff.


7. Jake Arrieta

 

Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

Arrieta has a textbook example of a solid beard and goes to show just how awesome yours could look with the right grooming. It’s well-kept, full, and incorporates the mustache, goatee, sideburns into one thick, full look that only a few can pull off.


8. Idris Elba


J. Countess/Getty Images


When it comes to facial hair styles, Idris Elba can do it all. This man pulls off the clean-shaven look just as well as he sports his classic salt-and-beard, and we owe that versatility to his oval face shape.



9. Chris Hemsworth



The God of Thunder rocks a solid beard on-screen and off, and it’s a pretty manageable look for most guys. Hemsworth keeps his facial hair pretty close to his face, which looks refined and classic for his short hairstyle.


10. David Beckham


David Beckham ChinaFotoPress / Getty


Beckham is the king of that subtle, 5-o’clock-shadow-but-more style (we’ll call his next-day shadow). He’s rarely seen wearing a full, thick beard, but his shorter stubble look and defined jawline are some of his (many) claims to fame.


11. James Harden


James Harden Michael Reaves/Getty


We can’t say the same for Harden. With a “Fear the Beard” tagline, Harden has one of the most recognizable beards in sports today with its bushy-yet-shaped appearance. Ever seen pictures of him without it? It’s probably for the best that he keeps the scissors and beard trimmer farrrrr away.


12. Chris Evans


Chris Evans Image Source: Getty / Jason Merritt


Captain America lives the bearded life off-screen, but like only a select few on this list, Evans can sport a classic, neat beard just as naturally as he wears a clean shave. He’s probably got a damn good razor.


13. George Clooney


George Clooney Beard Rich Fury/ Getty Images


George Clooney is a classy man that gives us all hope that we’ll look just as good when we start turning grey. He’s pretty much always well-kept, and his facial hair is no different thanks to a short beard style.


14. ZZ Top (Billy Gibbons & Dusty Hall)



Two out of three members of this American rock band go down in facial hair history as some of the most iconic long beards, mostly known for their wild length. Ironically enough, the band’s drummer, Frank Beard, was the only member without a beard.


15. Leonardo DiCaprio


Dicaprio Beard Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AFI


Ah, the classic Van Dyke beard. Leo does it well, just like how he does everything else. DiCaprio keeps it simple with a pronounced mustache and goatee, while his cheeks stay pretty bare. Even Calvin Candie, his character in Django Unchained, knew about that Van Dyke beard life.


Honorable Mentions: Hagrid & Gandalf

 


We’d be doing the bearded brotherhood a disservice if we didn’t include the two most epic beards in fictional history. Both unruly, both wild and unkempt (can you imagine trying to get a comb through those bad boys?), but both iconic. Might as well throw Dumbledore in there, too, just for good measure.


And There You Have It


We gotta say, these guys must be using the best beard products on the market to grow beards as epic as theirs. And we fully believe that you, too, can grow a beard just as epic. This is your sign to stock up on some shampoo, beard conditioner, beard oil, beard balm, and a solid beard comb because we’ve got some work to do, fellas. Maybe check out our Beard grooming goods to get you started right. We got you.

The Grooming Guide