'Heroes,' Spidey stars leading PETA poll

NORFOLK, Va., May 28 (UPI) -- "Heroes" star Milo Ventimiglia and "Spider-Man 3" actress Dallas Howard had the early lead in Virginia-based PETA's World's Sexiest Vegetarian poll.

Ventimiglia, a vegetarian since childhood, was the early leader among men, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said in a news release. Besides his role on "Heroes," Ventimiglia recently portrayed Sylvester Stallone's son in "Rocky Balboa."

In the annual poll, Ventimiglia is competing with others such as Joaquin Phoenix, Common, Casey Affleck and Tobey Maguire.

Howard had the early lead among the sexy vegetarian women in the poll, PETA said. The daughter of award-winning director Ron Howard, has been a vegetarian since she saw Joaquin Phoenix's documentary about cruelty to animals.

Among the other women vying for the title of sexiest female vegetarian are Pink, Emily Deschanel, Alyssa Milano, Joy Bryant, Lisa Edelstein and Maggie Q.

"When you look at the more than 200 gorgeous celebrities in this year's poll, there are no bones about it -- a vegetarian diet makes you beautiful inside and out," said Ingrid Newkirk, president of the Norfolk-based organization.

PETA's poll results will be revealed in late June.