Really? I think these days there are more average looking actors. (Maybe it's because of the amount of content) W

Most of actors that I mentioned rose in ranks in the 90's, 00's. I don't think that era was true escapism. For me, the true escapism was the Golden era of Hollywood.

The 80's & 90's & 00's on were pure entertainment. (Music, video games, cable tv, expanded sports, PPV, etc. were all other forms of competing entertainment)

Still, I believe that was the last era of the true era of the traditional movie star (The "Planet Hollywood" Era). There are "movie stars" these days, but it is different than before.

These days you can have a lead like Bob Odenkirk (Nobody). None of Jordan Peele's movies were huge names before & while starring in his 3 movies. A movie like "Smile" would've starred a recognizable (horror) name. Baby Driver, A Quiet Place, Dune, Old, etc. Even movies that tank (Bros) had non stars lead the movie.

These days, you can easily have an actor who is not necessarily a star lead a film. In the the "escapism era", stars were contracted with studios, so there had to be stars. Now, you can simply be an actor.

In terms of Melissa, She is a recognizable name though (and a brand). She ranked #4 in 2020 in terms of highest paid actresses. (According to Forbes). She's been in the top 5 since 2016.