When the “Wayne’s World” skit first aired on “SNL,” you knew it was going to be a hit. Wayne was the “cool” one, and Garth was his dorky friend. The two were broadcasting a show from Wayne’s parent’s basement, and this comedic segment obviously became a movie in 1992.
Heck, they ended up making two of those movies together. They must have been doing something right. Garth is played by Dana Carvey, who is decidedly super cool, funny, and successful. They won’t let you into “SNL” if you aren’t cool. That’s just a fact. Of course, Mike Myers became the bigger star out of the pair, but Carvey has his moments.
Ed Helms – The Office
The character of Andy Bernard is a model suit from a privileged background with a position of authority, but he is crippled by his gnawing insecurity. He makes us laugh as he tries so hard to be the boss.
Ed Helms says Andy, the character is like an unhinged version of himself. On TV, he’s the office nerd, but in actuality, Ed Helms is the great success Andy wishes he could be — he's a successful actor, musician, and comedian. According to science, that's cool. Not to mention the fact that he also played a pretty nerdy character in "The Hangover" film series.
Leonard Nimoy – Star Trek
Part human, part Vulcan, Spock possessed superhuman intelligence and was Captain Kirk’s trusted guide at the helm of the Enterprise. His intelligence made him nearly inhuman, at least emotionally, seemingly free of those weaknesses. But when they did show, we loved it.
"Star Trek" and Spock’s influence are alive and well in the Trekkie fandom. Nimoy, however, left us in 2015 at age 83. He was a cultural icon. He wrote one memoir titled "I Am Not Spock," and later, he wrote a second autobiography called "I Am Spock." A true space-level cool move. You know you've left a huge impact on pop culture when other actors keep playing your character.
Jason Schwartzman – Rushmore
Max Fischer is at the top of his class at the elite prep school, Rushmore. He spends all his free time on extracurricular projects to enhance his high school accolades. It gets a little crazy when he’s expelled, but that is when the hilarity sets in.
As for the actor who played him? Jason Schwartzman is a movie star and a Hollywood director. He calls Francis Ford Coppola “Uncle” and Nicolas Cage and Sophia Coppola "Cousins." In case you haven't noticed, Coppola, Cage, and cool all start with the same letter. Coincidence? No way. Schwartzman's always finding himself in cool roles too.
Jon Cryer – Two and a Half Men
Older brother Charlie might have the golden touch when it comes to women, and Alan can't catch a break. In real life, actor Jon Cryer not only got famous for his spot-on “Two and a Half Men,” but in movies like “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” and “Hot Shots” (also with Charlie Sheen.)
He's still acting, writing, and directing and currently provides the voice of Lex Luthor in the DC Comics animated television series. Cryer has been married to British actress Sarah Trigger and is currently married to entertainment reporter Lisa Joyner. The two have one child together and have adopted another.