3. Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct, 1992)
Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct. This is an entry that really needs no introduction. If you have not seen the film yourself you are certainly aware of the scene in question that allows Stone's entrance so highly on this list. It was for the longest time and often still is synonymous with smouldering sex appeal, and the attraction of a powerful woman. Stone's performance is breathtaking. Her ability to hold a room full of grown men to ransom through nothing more than wit and raw sex appeal is not only fascinating to watch but undeniably sexy too. This scene, and this role is easily the most famous of all the entries on this list, and is so culturally universal that if you haven't seen the film in question, here is the scene hosted at the International Games Network (http://uk.ign.com/videos/2011/07/14/basic-instinct-the-leg-cross); which goes a long way to show why this role, this scene and this film has rated so highly on our list of risqué performances. It is everywhere.