For decades, People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive has been a prestigious honour in Hollywood, symbolising charisma, talent, and appeal. Each year, the announcement of the winner ignites excitement and captivates audiences worldwide.
According to People magazine, the Sexiest Man Alive acknowledges not just physical attractiveness but also the honoree’s contributions to entertainment and popular culture. The recipients represent the epitome of masculine allure, embodying diverse talents and personalities adored by fans everywhere. Keep reading to find out which star has been crowned with the title over the years.
1. Patrick Dempsey, 2023
Patrick Dempsey’s illustrious career outshines many younger Sexiest Man Alive winners. With standout performances in ’80s classics like “Can’t Buy Me Love” (1987) and “Loverboy” (1989), he won hearts early on. However, it was his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd, a.k.a McDreamy, on “Grey’s Anatomy” from 2005 that propelled him to stardom. At 57, he’s the second-oldest Sexiest Man Alive honoree.
2. Chris Evans, 2022
Chris Evans hails from Boston, Massachusetts and made his debut in the acting scene with “Not Another Teen Movie” in 2001. He then gained prominence as Johnny Storm in “Fantastic Four” and also ventured into romantic comedies like “The Nanny Diaries” and “What’s Your Number?”. After joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2011 as Steve Rogers, a.k.a Captain America, he left an indelible mark until “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019.
3. Paul Rudd, 2021
55-year-old actor Paul Rudd has been melting hearts since day one, whether as the charming college guy Josh in “Clueless” or as the endearing dad Scott Lang in the “Ant-Man” series. Our affection for him keeps growing stronger with time, especially with his playful personality and charismatic acting skills.
4. Michael B. Jordan, 2020
Michael B. Jordan earned the title of Sexiest Man Alive in 2020, and People nailed it by describing him as “dashing, driven, and daring.” His journey to stardom in Hollywood is remarkable, thanks in large part to his captivating performances as Killmonger in “Black Panther” and Donnie Creed in the Creed series.
5. John Legend, 2019
John Legend’s impressive career is adorned with prestigious awards, including an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, earning him the coveted EGOT status. In 2019, he added another feather to his cap by becoming Sexiest Man Alive. While he confessed feeling both “excited” and “a little scared” about the title’s pressure, Legend ultimately embraced it with confidence, proving himself more than worthy of the accolade.
6. Idris Elba, 2018
Idris Elba’s impressive resume boasts roles in blockbuster franchises like “Star Trek”, “Fast & Furious”, and “Avengers”. With his charismatic charm, suave style, and remarkable acting skills, fans can’t help but imagine him as agent James Bond – though it’s easy to see why he’s the perfect choice for the iconic role.
7. Blake Shelton, 2017
Since 2011, Blake Shelton has been entertaining fans as a mentor on “The Voice,” winning hearts with his witty humour and irresistible charm. When he was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive, Shelton jokingly remarked, “Y’all must be running out of people,” adding to his likeable persona.
8. Dwayne Johnson, 2016
Besides being one of the biggest action stars out there, Dwayne Johnson is also known for his good looks, impressive muscles, and down-to-earth personality. Judging from these reasons, it’s no wonder why he snagged the title of Sexiest Man Alive in 2016.
9. David Beckham, 2015
When David Beckham was crowned Sexiest Man Alive by People in 2015, some wondered why it took so long. During a chat on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” that same year, the former British soccer star called it “the best moment” of his career and thanked his parents for bringing him into the world.
10. Chris Hemsworth, 2014
In 2014, Chris Hemsworth snagged the Sexiest Man Alive title, and it’s not hard to see why. Besides being being a devoted husband and family man, he’s won us over with his electrifying performance as the God of Thunder in the “Thor” movies, cementing his status as a swoon-worthy superhero.
11. Adam Levine, 2013
Back in 2013, Adam Levine, the frontman of Maroon 5 and ex-“The Voice” coach snagged the Sexiest Man Alive title. He made waves as the first musician to nab the honour, following in the footsteps of only one other non-actor, John F. Kennedy Jr.
12. Channing Tatum, 2012
In 2006, Channing Tatum burst onto the screen as Tyler Gage in “Step Up,” marking his dazzling debut. While he continued to win hearts in movies like “Dear John” and “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” it was his memorable performances in “Magic Mike,” “21 Jump Street,” and “The Vow” that clinched him the Sexiest Man Alive title that year.
13. Bradley Cooper, 2011
Bradley Cooper snagged the Sexiest Man Alive crown in 2011, following his roles in “Limitless” and “The Hangover Part II.” Since then, he’s only grown more irresistible with standout performances in “Silver Linings Playbook” and “A Star Is Born.” His show-stopping rendition of “Shallow” at the 2019 Oscars was just the icing on the cake, sealing his status as a heartthrob.
14. Ryan Reynolds, 2010
In 2010, Ryan Reynolds proudly became the first Canadian to claim the Sexiest Man Alive title. His charm and talent shone through in roles like “The Proposal” and “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”. At the time, Reynolds was part of a high-profile couple, having tied the knot with Scarlett Johansson. Although their romance ended that year, Reynolds found love again with Blake Lively, with whom he now shares four kids.
15. Johnny Depp, 2009 & 2003
In 2009, Johnny Depp secured his second Sexiest Man Alive title after captivating audiences in “Public Enemies” and “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.” His first win came back in 2003, thanks to his unforgettable roles in “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.”
16. Hugh Jackman, 2008
In 2008, Hugh Jackman snagged the Sexiest Man Alive title, joining the ranks as the second Australian to earn the honour. He’s best known for his rugged charm as Wolverine in the X-Men movies but showed off his other sides with roles in the seductive thriller “Deception” and the adventurous “Australia.”.
17. Matt Damon, 2007
In 2007, Matt Damon had plenty to smile about. He rocked two big movie franchises, “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “Ocean’s Thirteen”, and Forbes crowned him the most bankable star, raking in $29 for every dollar he earned. In the same year, he also got a shiny star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and nabbed the Sexiest Man Alive title.
18. George Clooney, 2006 & 1997
In 2006, George Clooney won his second Sexiest Man Alive title during a break between Ocean’s movies. That year, he starred in “The Good German” and won an Oscar for “Syriana.” Clooney also advocated for Darfur’s resolution, joining a rally in Washington DC and filming a documentary with his father. In 1997, He earned his first Sexiest Man Alive through his role on “ER”, coupled with his portrayal of Batman in “Batman & Robin.”
19. Matthew McConaughey, 2005
Before captivating audiences with his striptease in “Magic Mike,” Matthew McConaughey stole hearts in romantic comedies such as “The Wedding Planner” and “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” However, it wasn’t until 2005 that he clinched the Sexiest Man Alive title.
20. Jude Law, 2004
Jude Law made history as the first Englishman to be named Sexiest Man Alive. In 2004, he had a bustling year, starring in six films, notably the romantic hits “Closer” and “Alfie.” Since then, Law has further cemented his status as a household name with memorable roles in “The Holiday” and “Sherlock Holmes.”
21. Ben Affleck, 2002
Ben Affleck snagged the Sexiest Man Alive title in 2002 when he all over the place, starring in “The Third Wheel,” “The Sum of All Fears,” and “Changing Lanes.” That same year, he also got people talking about his high-profile romance with Jennifer Lopez. While they ended their engagement then, they circled back to each other almost two decades later in July 2022.
22. Pierce Brosnan, 2001
Pierce Brosnan was the second James Bond to nab the Sexiest Man Alive title and the first Irish winner in 2001. His swoon-worthy win followed his role as a suave spy in “The Tailor of Panama,” but let’s not forget how he turned up the heat in his four Bond films from 1995 to 2002.
23. Brad Pitt, 2000 & 1995
Brad Pitt clinched the Sexiest Man Alive title for the second time in 2000 with roles in “Fight Club” in the year before and “Snatch” in the year of his win. He snagged his first Sexiest Man Alive title in 1995, the same year he showcased his talent in the sci-fi film “Twelve Monkeys” and the psychological thriller “Se7en”.
24. Richard Gere, 1999, 1993 & Cindy Crawford
1999 was an awesome year for Richard Gere. Not only was he named Sexiest Man Alive but he also got his handprint at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, a prestigious honour for any actor. However, he technically earned his first Sexiest title in 1993 when People decided to shake things up by naming the Sexiest Couple. Gere and his then-supermodel wife, Cindy Crawford, snagged the title but sadly, they called it quits by the end of the year.
25. Harrison Ford, 1998
It took quite a while after Harrison Ford charmed us as Han Solo and Indiana Jones for him to snag the Sexiest Man Alive title in 1998. That same year, he stole hearts in the action-adventure comedy “Six Days, Seven Nights,” landing him a People’s Choice Award. At 56, Ford became the second-oldest winner of the Sexiest Man Alive title at that time.
26. Denzel Washington, 1996
1996 was a milestone year as Denzel Washington became the first Black man to be crowned Sexiest Man Alive. Alongside his roles in the war film “Courage Under Fire” and the comedy-drama “The Preacher’s Wife,” Washington had already captivated audiences with his powerful performances in movies like “Malcolm X” and “Philadelphia.”
27. Nick Nolte, 1992
1992 was a memorable year for Nick Nolte as he snagged the Sexiest Man Alive title, coinciding with his role in the drama film “Lorenzo’s Oil.” The year prior, he experienced success with the romantic drama “The Prince of Tides,” starring alongside Barbra Streisand. This film not only earned him his first Oscar nomination but also a Golden Globe Award.
28. Patrick Swayze, 1991
It’s no surprise that action-star gigs often pop up among the winners, just like Patrick Swayze’s role alongside Keanu Reeves in “Point Break,” released the same year he was crowned Sexiest Man Alive. However, what sealed the deal was his captivating performance as a passionate spirit in 1990’s “Ghost,” which even earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
29. Tom Cruise, 1990
For Tom Cruise, snagging the Sexiest Man Alive title was all about being part of a dynamic duo and starring in acclaimed flicks. In 1990, he lit up the screen in the sports-action drama “Days of Thunder,” where his onscreen flame happened to be his real-life partner at the time, Nicole Kidman (whom he tied the knot with that same year). He also racked up a bunch of awards, including a Golden Globe, People’s Choice Award, and an Oscar nod, all for his portrayal of a paralyzed Vietnam War vet in 1989’s “Born on the Fourth of July.”
30. Sean Connery, 1989
When Sean Connery snagged the title in 1989, he made history as the first recipient to have portrayed James Bond on the silver screen, a role practically tailor-made for the sexiest accolade. Despite it being ages since Connery sported his iconic spy gear, he showed that even at 59, he still had that irresistible charm, making him the oldest winner ever and the first from Scotland.
31. John F. Kennedy Jr., 1988
If you’re a fit, eligible member of the Kennedy family with a legal career, chances are you might clinch the sexiest title. When John F. Kennedy Jr., a.k.a “John-John”, nabbed the Sexiest Man Alive crown in 1988, he was the first non-actor to ever win.
32. Harry Hamlin, 1987
Scoring the title isn’t just about playing a suave TV doctor; being a dashing TV lawyer works too. While Harry Hamlin may have showcased his charm in the movie “Laguna Heat” in 1987, it was his role as Michael Kuzak on “L.A. Law” for the show’s initial five seasons where his handsome appeal truly shone.
33. Mark Harmon, 1986
Before he became Leroy Jethro Gibbs on “NCIS,” Mark Harmon was heating up the screen as the charming doctor Dr. Robert Caldwell in the medical drama “St. Elsewhere.” When he became Sexiest Man Alive in 1986, Harmon had a busy year, appearing in two TV movies, “Prince of Bel-Air” and “The Deliberate Stranger,” as well as the film “Let’s Get Harry.”
34. Mel Gibson, 1985
In 1985, Mel Gibson reprised his role as Max Rockatansky in “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” marking his third time portraying the character. Reportedly, this role also marked his first million-dollar salary. In the same year, Gibson became the inaugural Sexiest Man Alive, marking the start of a legacy.
Sabrina Azahar contributed to this article.
