Looks definitely help open more doors. If a person is pleasant to look at, you want to keep looking at them, especially if they have a nice smile. I know many people who have had more opportunities than they deserve die to being good looking, and also other really talented people (musicians, actors and singers) who are never going to be given the breaks because of the way they look.
Your spikey haired mate would probably do really well if he went to work in the Media or music business! Shallow isn't it?!