Our Favorite British Baby Boomers

All eyes are on Britain for this week’s big royal wedding, so we’re calling out our favorite baby boomer Brits. See who made the cut!

Hugh Grant Hugh Grant has perfected the role of the charmingly bumbling Brit. Grant is no Brad Pitt, but he’s often the guy you’d like to end up with – kind, dependable, and painfully aware of his own limitations. From the hopeless romantic in Four Weddings and A Funeral and Notting Hill to the endearing cad in Bridget Jones’ Diary, Grant has never forgotten how to charm audiences everywhere.

Helen Mirren She’s played everything from Hamlet’s Ophelia to Queen Elizabeth (both I and II), but Helen Mirren just gets better with age. Mirren won an Oscar for her role in The Queen, but she followed up that film with less serious roles. Her turn as an assassin in R.E.D. made her hotter than ever, and Mirren is loving every minute of her time at the top – she even spent weeks flirting with her Arthur co-star Russell Brand while talking up their film. Plus, have you seen her in a bikini? Would that we could all look like Ms. Mirren.

Colin Firth Colin Firth gained notoriety for playing two different Mr. Darcys – the original in Pride and Prejudice, and Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones’ Diary. Firth has worked constantly for almost three decades. He was brave enough to sing in Mamma Mia! and fight Hugh Grant in Bridget Jones, but his Oscar-winning performance in The King’s Speech is certainly his career’s greatest triumph. Firth will go down in history as one of a handful of actors to commemorate great moments in British history on film, and we couldn’t think of a better actor for the job.

Susan Boyle Susan Boyle isn’t beautiful and she isn’t glamorous, but the eccentric singer has become something of a role model. When Boyle auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, judge Simon Cowell was prepared to dismiss her because of her unkempt appearance. But when Boyle started singing, Cowell was blown away. The middle-aged Scottish singer proved that it’s never too late to go after your dreams, no matter how wild they may seem.

Ricky Gervais Ricky Gervais has a deliciously naughty sense of humor, one that has allowed him to build a comedy empire – and make a few famous enemies. Gervais became famous as the creator and star of the original Office, a show where he played the world’s least likable boss. The show was a hit when it was remade stateside, giving Gervais the opportunity to build his following here. Gervais hasn’t made any friends by insulting celebrities during his award show hosting gigs, but we find his brand of humor positively irresistible.

Simon Cowell Television’s king of mean, Simon Cowell, has the ability to make or break careers with just one word. When he became the breakout star of American Idol, audiences were shocked by how hard he was on the hopeful contestants, but by season two, everyone was on Simon’s side. Cowell’s since left the show to go on to bigger and better things – he’s bringing Britain’s popular show The X Factor stateside. We can’t wait to see what he has to say next!

Rod Stewart We can’t say enough good things about Rod Stewart’s soulful voice, but his “Forever Young” attitude makes us love him even more. Stewart has spent 50 years experimenting with rock, blues, soul and even folk music, and entertaining audiences all over the world. Stewart’s catchy tunes, sexy voice and ageless attitude have cemented his place at the top of the charts for good.

Elton John Could you ever imagine a person who could get along amiably with both Lady Gaga and Rush Limbaugh? Somehow, Elton John pulls it off. The legendary musician has dabbled in just about everything, creating exceptional, timeless pop music and acclaimed Broadway hits. John can put on a wild, flamboyant show for his biggest fans one night, then hang with the royal family the next. We couldn’t think of a more brilliant British eccentric than our beloved Elton John.

Mick Jagger As the frontman for the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger has become the quintessential British bad boy. Half a century after he started playing the Stones’ brand of soulful rock music, Jagger is still performs once in a while, and has proved that he can still move like he’s 21. Though Jagger doesn’t spend much time in the public eye, this rocking grandfather can still wriggle into his skinny jeans and put on a show when he wants to.

Paul McCartney Paul McCartney may be a rock legend, but he’s also one of the most versatile musicians around. After making history with the Beatles, McCartney went off and his own and founded a new band, Wings, which he stuck with for 10 years. The Guinness Book of World Records has named McCartney the “most successful musician and composer in popular music history,” with sales of 100 million singles in the U.K. alone. McCartney continues to perform live, and even takes his show on the road.