The 20 Hottest Nerds to Ever Grace the Big and Small Screen

David Schwimmer as Ross is nothing but lovable (and goofy) in one of TV's greatest comedy series. And with a Ph.D from Columbia University, he's the hottest nerd in NYC.

With his thick glasses, high-pitched voiced and strapped-in suspenders, Urkel, played by Jaleel White, is the epitome of a geek. And who can forget when Steve turned into the smoldering Stefan? 

Portrayed by Johnny Galecki, this experimental physicist is known for his awkward charm and geek-ish, Clark Kent-like glasses. If only he loved us like he loves Penny…

Actor Lee Pace played Ned ("The Pie Maker") on the hit ABC television series, Pushing Daisies. One thing's for sure — with his unique ability to bring people back from the dead, he could revive us any day.

Pauley Perrette portrays this goth forensic scientist with the edgiest neck tattoo in television: a spider web. It almost makes us want one. Almost. 

J.D. (or John Michael Dorian), played by Zach Braff, does a great job as his dual role of protagonist and narrator on Scrubs. With a tendency to get lost in thought, he's the dreamiest doctor-nerd we've ever seen. 

We're just going to leave it at this: Tina as a geek is, perhaps, the best Tina of all. 

Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) graduated high school at age 12, so it's safe to say this special agent is a genius. One of his best lines? "I find that I do some of my best work under intense terror." 

You've seen him dance. You've seen him sing. You've seen him wear dorky sweater vests. But Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) will forever be one of Belair's finest.

Quirks by the buckets, Jess (Zoey Deschanel) is undeniably nutty but notably wonderful just the same.

There's seemingly nothing Jack (T.J. Thyne) can't do. He's a forensic entomologist, botanist, mineralogist and the list goes on. With a weird obsession with conspiracy theories, this rather sarcastic, always-handsome guy is quite the character.

Matt Damon as Will Hunting makes for the most dreamy self-taught genius/janitor in all of history. The 1997 film, also starring the late Robin Williams, chronicles Will's journey with therapy, love and confronting a troubled past.

Patrick Dempsey makes us swoon in this 80's classic (when does he not?). It just goes to show that a nerd can steal the heart of any unlikely girl — even a high school cheerleader.

Jim (Jason Biggs) is a quirky teen whose only goals are to avoid embarrassment and — like any inexperienced pubescent boy — to lose his virginity. He sure did make the end of the '90s a whole lot funnier. (And maybe more awkward, too.)

Robyn Lively plays our favorite high school misfit/teenage witch. She comes to find that popularity is not all it's made up to be — even with the help of magic. But who can forget that ending?