I remember in the earlier days of my Richarding, I found myself trying to find something about Richard Armitage that I didn’t really like. Some physical trait, some personality quirk, some character deficit to help me “get over” this mad crush I had on him.
Didn’t happen (obviously, because here I am writing this blog called The Armitage Effect).
I think he’s absolutely beautiful to look at, and I have seen nearly everything there is to see. Never before was I fascinated by a man’s Adam’s apple. Or so taken with his feet. His FEET, for goodness’ sake. Those eyes–the brows, long, thick lashes, so expressive, so changeable. Hypnotizing. Those lips. A perfect Cupid’s bow of temptation. A real manly man’s nose–aquiline and imposing.
You know those heroes in the romance novels–tall, dark and unbelievably handsome with a voice that could make you melt and a gaze that smoulders? Here’s the living, breathing incarnation of the Romantic Hero. No wonder RA inspires so many of us to write stories with him as our muse.
Yep, that's one hunky guy (even more so as the years pass). But there are brains and talent and wit to go with all that male beauty.
However, he is so much more than just a pretty face and smokin’ bod. Because if good looks were all he had, if he opened his mouth and had nothing interesting to say, if he was humourless, an airhead, arrogant, a snob, a braggart, a narcissist, a compulsive womanizer–I would have moved on quite a while ago. I don’t like dumb, I don’t like shallow, I don’t like pretentious.
I love those genuine grins that you can also see in his lovely eyes. Just looks like the sort of fellow you'd like to have as a friend.
But he is none of those things. He’s intelligent and witty and articulate, yet still endearingly modest and down to earth. RA is a gentleman, polite and well-mannered and respectful and just a bit shy. In many ways, he seems to be like the classic “boy next door” who happens to be incredibly good-looking and sexy.
He has many wonderful character traits that remind me of my own true love and my very best friend, my husband. And the talent. Oooooh, the talent. I noticed Richard’s very attractive looks when I first saw him as Guy in Robin Hood BBC (kind of hard to miss) but I stuck with the series for RA’s ACTING.
The black leather and eyeliner were just the icing on the cake. He made me believe in the reality of Guy, to empathize with his conflicts and struggles and cheer him on as my anti-hero. And the bonus was just how sexy and gorgeous he was throughout all the angst and brooding and anger and yearning.
Richard is my favorite detailed character actor who inhabits a stunning leading man’s face and body.
Sir Guy won my heart and broke my heart, thanks to Richard's superb acting skills.
He’s worked hard for years to establish himself as an actor, facing rejection, disappointment; tempted to, but never giving in to letting go of his dream. North & South brought him a cadre of devoted fans; I feel certain that the iconic role of Thorin, a key role in both of The Hobbit films will make him an internationally known and respected actor. We will discover just how many others out there share in the GTG (Good Taste Gene).
And we’ll be sitting there with butter-wouldn’t-melt-in-your-mouth expressions on our faces. Looking like the cat that swallowed the cream. Because we already knew just how totally fab Richard Crispin Armitage is. We don’t wish to say we told you so . . . but we did.
the armitage effect 
