It used to be easy to spot them. All you had to do was open your high school yearbook to the computer club page and there they were - the nerds. Those days, as they say, are over. Today, geek is chic and the nerds are taking over the entertainment industry, replacing the Tom Cruises and Brad Pitts of the world. Here’s a look at some of the geeks at their peak.

ALYSON HANNIGAN (actress)

Why she’s chic: She has made a career (and a lot of money) out of playing the loser chick who becomes semi-cool and triumphs in the end.

JIMMY FALLON (actor/comedian)

Why he’s a geek: While in college, Fallon skipped parties, opting instead to sit home and watch Saturday Night Live. He then would, having taped the show, rewind it and watch his favourite parts over and over again.

Why he’s chic: His obsession with SNL paid off, landing him a spot on the show for six seasons. That led to his role in his new hit movie Fever Pitch with Drew Barrymore.

JON HEDER (actor)

Why he’s a geek: Did you see Napoleon Dynamite? Also, he studying 3-D animation in university.

Why he’s chic: As a unknown actor, Heder rose to fame as the star of the offbeat comedy despite having relatively no acting experience. His big break came when he met Napoleon writer and director Jared Hess at school.

TOBEY MAGUIRE (actor)

Why he’s a geek: Aside from being painfully shy, the Seabiscuit actor did not luck out in the looks department. He also admits that, as a vegetarian who doesn’t drink or smoke, he’s not the life of the party

Why he’s chic: Is he strong? Listen bud, he’s got radioactive blood. Can he swing from a thread? Take a look overhead. Hey, there ... there goes the Spider-Man.

QUENTIN TARANTINO (director)

Why he’s a geek: Aside from having proclaimed himself a film geek, Tarantino is a former video-store clerk. Enough said.

Why he’s chic: Known for his blood-drenched flicks Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, Tarantino is now filming the Season 5 finale of CSI. Not compromising his creative talent, the episode, airing May 19, is said to have more bugs and blood than usual.

KEVIN SMITH (actor/director)

Why he’s a geek: A comic-book lover his whole life, Smith named his daughter Harley Quinn after the Batman archvillain. He has also gone public recently with his love of everything Degrassi.

Why he’s chic: The director of Clerks and Chasing Amy continues to be cool and "indie" despite the pressures of Hollywood. He is currently working on Clerks 2.

ADAM BRODY (actor)

Why he’s a geek: Playing nerd Seth Cohen, a guy who formed a comic-book club at his high school on The O.C., has made him something of a nerdy icon to male viewers.

Why he’s chic: He’s a trend-setter. His signature geek chic sweater vests over polo shirts have caught on and hit the racks at Target.

DANIEL RADCLIFFE (actor)

Why he’s a geek: If it wasn’t for the success of the Harry Potter movies, Radcliffe would be cast as a nerd solely based on his looks.

Why he’s chic: He’s a heartbreaker. Jealous fans have launched a hate-filled website against actress Katie Leung, 17, because she kisses Radcliffe in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire.

SARAH JESSICA PARKER (actress)

Why she’s a geek: She was, and forever will be, the geek with the glasses in 1982’s Square Pegs. Also, she married Matthew Broderick.

Why she’s chic: The truly chic have always created, rather than followed, trends and no one is better at that than the Sex and the City star.