Leno, Rice top celebrity dinner survey

"Tonight Show" host Jay Leno comments on the souvenir gavel he could not resist parting without after testifying at Michael Jackson's trial, in this file photo from May 25, 2005, in Burbank, Calif. AP photo

When Esquire asked men who they'd invite from a list of 14 notable women to a dinner party, they chose Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice - over such stars as Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston and Jessica Simpson.

Rice was followed by Oprah Winfrey and Angelina Jolie in a national survey published in the magazine's July issue. The 29-question survey, conducted by Beta Research Corp., polled 1,083 men aged 25 and older.

Asked which famous man they'd invite to dinner, 37 percent picked "Tonight" host Jay Leno. Bill Clinton placed second, trailed by George Clooney and President Bush.

Men said they most admired former Secretary of State Colin Powell (5.9 percent). Clinton and Bill Gates tied closely behind (5.8 percent) and Bush placed third (5.3 percent).

The president did, however, place first in another category: least admirable man in America. He got 14.8 percent of the vote, while Clinton came in second - again - at 7.8 percent.

According to the survey, most men do not aspire to be "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks. Eighty-five percent said they'd rather be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company than win the Fox talent contest (15 percent).