In 1985, when the staff at People Magazine landed an exclusive interview with actor Mel Gibson, there was only one descriptor that bounced around the editing room.
The writer of the piece, Michelle Green, had made an off-handed comment about the American-Aussie star, saying ”the sexiest man alive” was bidding her goodbye.
Cutler Durkee, a one-time executive editor of the publication, recalled in 2010, “Everyone loved Mel Gibson at that moment … and someone pretty much jokingly blurts out, ‘the sexiest man alive’.”
“And he was kind of astonishingly hot at that moment. So we did it. There was a bit of [jokiness] to it, but what the heck, we put it out there.”
And so the tradition kicked off, becoming one of the most anticipated accolades for men in entertainment and pop culture, now in its 40th year.
Read on to see all the men who have been named People‘s Sexiest Man Alive, and the one woman who was included in the honour.
READ MORE: Jonathan Bailey makes history as he takes out the title of People’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025
READ MORE: ‘I don’t wanna be looked at’: Why Richard Gere ‘stepped back’ at the height of his career
READ MORE: ‘They tried a few times’: Beloved heartthrob who ‘turned down’ the Sexiest Man Alive title
1985: Mel Gibson
In 1985, Mel Gibson had built up his profile with the Mad Max films and his role in Mrs. Soffel, leading to a profile in People.
But he wasn’t too happy about the moniker they gave him.
Gibson reportedly scoffed at the title, which he said “implies there are a lot of dead guys who got more points than I did.”
Now 69 years old, the star went on to enjoy an illustrious career, particularly after the success of 1995’s Braveheart.
He has been dating American screenwriter Rosalind Ross since 2014.
1986: Mark Harmon
Mark Harmon was the second to be known as Sexiest Man Alive, as he enjoyed recognition from his role in St. Elsewhere.
The star was completely unaware of his new descriptor, saying at the time, “Who votes on something like that?”
“I mean, come on! I think it’s all pretty silly … I started laughing hysterically.”
The Moonlighting star added, ”All I see is a bunch of fake teeth and football scars.”
Now 74 years old, he is best known for playing Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS.
1987: Harry Hamlin
Actor Harry Hamlin received the honour in 1987 as he enjoyed success playing a hot-shot attorney on ’80s drama L.A. Law.
But he was very modest when he accepted the honour.
“Certainly when I look in the mirror, I don’t get turned on,” he told People at the time.
”It’s not something I spend a lot of time considering.”
Later he became known for his stints on Dancing with the Stars and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, with the now 74-year-old being the husband of Lisa Rinna, to whom he has been married for 28 years.
1988: John F. Kennedy Jr
John F. Kennedy Jr. was the first politician to be given the honour at age of 27.
People‘s Executive Editor at the time Jim Seymore said, “Going into 1988, there wasn’t an obvious candidate for Sexiest Man Alive.”
But that all changed when a picture of JFK Jr. playing football shirtless in Central Park was taken and spread.
“That’s it,” Seymore recalled he said, “The Sexiest Man Alive.'”
When it came to the son of the 35th President of the United States, it was about more than his handsome looks.
People‘s then Managing Editor Jim Gaines said, “They were buying the little boy who saluted. Everybody felt for him. The fact he was also gorgeous made it easy.”
The American royalty was reportedly “thoroughly amused” by his new title, with his Brown classmate and friend Gary Ginsberg saying, “We gave him a merciless ribbing and he reveled in it.”
JFK Jr.’s best friend Robbie Littell also recalled to the outlet, “He didn’t want to be chased around but he loved the attention … so the idea of being Sexiest Man Alive was like, ‘Yeah, exactly. Unfortunately they’re gonna pick another one someday.'”
Just 11 years later, Kennedy perished in a plane crash with his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy at the age of 38.
1989: Sean Connery
Sean Connery became the oldest Sexiest Man Alive in 1989, being almost 60 when he was named.
His reaction? “For once, I’m speechless. It’ll all be downhill from here!”
The former James Bond star died on October 30, 2020, at the age of 90.
1990: Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise was selected for the title in 1990 at the age of 28, though he accepted it reluctantly.
In an interview, the actor shared that he believed he didn’t deserve the moniker of “sexiest man alive” but felt honoured that the public had agreed with the assessment.
Now 63, Cruise has gone on to lead the Top Gun and Mission: Impossible franchises, of which the last film was released this year.
1991: Patrick Swayze
Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze was named Sexiest Man Alive in 1991, at the age of 38.
His mum, Patsy Swayze begged to disagree with the title, telling People that her son “knows he’s just an ordinary, down-home Texas kid.”
“He doesn’t think that his job deserves all that idolatry – if you want to call it that,” she added.
Swayze’s Ghost co-star Demi Moore added, “He has a very sweet, gentle, kind heart, and those Southern manners. But he’s also got a very rugged, animalistic physique.”
In 2009, Swayze died at the age of 57, 20 months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
1992: Nick Nolte
Nick Nolte was named Sexiest Man Alive in 1992 at age 51, proving a questionable choice for some.
The Prince of Tides star himself was shocked when the magazine let him know, reportedly reacting with, “Are you sure you didn’t make a mistake? My personal choice is Walter Cronkite,” according to AP.
Now 84, the Golden Globe winner went on to divorce his third wife Rebecca Linger two years after being named, and has been married to Clytie Lane since 2016.
1993: Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford
In a break from tradition, Richard Gere, then 44, and Cindy Crawford, then 27, were named Sexiest Couple Alive in 1993.
“Richard loves me without my makeup and in my ponytail,” Crawford told the publication of her husband at the time.
“So, hey, if it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for me.”
Sadly, the couple weren’t meant to be.
Now 76, Gere went on to marry Carey Lowell after divorcing Crawford in 1995, and is now married to Alejandra Silva.
Crawford, now 59, went on to marry Rande Gerber in 1998. The couple share two children, including model Kaia Gerber.
1994: ?
These days the year isn’t complete without the verdict, but in 1994, People went without selecting the Sexiest Man Alive.
Before this, it was not a regular fixture of their magazine and was announced at different times throughout the year.
From 1995 onwards, the title winner has been announced in November or December.
The omission seems to have weighed heavy on their minds, with the outlet retroactively selecting a winner when celebrating 30 years of the tradition.
Editorial Director Jess Cagle announced the winner in the Lifetime special People’s Sexiest Man Alive 2015: 30 Years of Sexy.
Cagle said there was stiff competition between a number of contenders, including Hugh Grant, who was enjoying a boost in popularity from Four Weddings and a Funeral, or even comedian Jim Carrey.
But ultimately, it was Keanu Reeves who won the title 21 years after the fact, for his role in Speed.
Now 61, he is in a relationship with partner Alexandra Grant and has enjoyed success from his film series The Matrix and John Wick.
1995: Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt was 31 when he was named Sexiest Man Alive in 1995.
He, like many others, felt uncomfortable with the honour.
Some of the ‘world’s sexiest men of 2024’ have been revealed by People
The Legends of the Fall star told Entertainment Weekly “I was really uncomfortable. What does it mean? What are you talking about?”
“I’ve always been mistrustful of my own hubris, and it put me on guard. Like, it was dangerous. What do they say? Don’t believe your own hype.”
Now 61, Pitt is in the midst of a messy legal battle over his shared winery with ex-wife Angelina Jolie. Many of his children have removed his surname from their names.
He is currently dating jeweller Ines De Ramon.
1996: Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington made history when he was named the first man of colour to be named Sexiest Man Alive in 1996, at age 41.
He told the magazine at the time, “I don’t take myself too seriously… I don’t stop in the mirror and go, ‘Hey, Sexy Man.'”
In 2024, he was later awarded the title of “Sexy at Every Age”.
Upon hearing the verdict, the Mississippi Masala star joked, “Is that like at five and seven as well? Three months old?”
His wife Paulettes added, “I just heard it just now. I agree!” making the actor laugh.
Now 70, Washington most recently starred in Gladiator II.
1997: George Clooney
Certified heartthrob George Clooney won the title of Sexiest Man Alive in 1997.
Aged 36, he was fresh off his Batman & Robin success.
“I feel as if there’s a lot of responsibility for a full year, you have to wear that sash,” the two-time Academy Award winner said of the honour.
“It’s very uncomfortable after a while.”
1998: Harrison Ford
The real-life Han Solo, Harrison Ford, was chosen in 1998 at age 56.
Ford didn’t understand why he received the title, telling the outlet, “Why this sudden outpouring for geezers?”
“I never feel sexy. I have a distant relationship with the mirror.”
He is now 83, continuing to appear in the Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Marvel franchises.
1999: Richard Gere
Gere finally got his own solo cover in 1999, receiving the honour at age 50.
Assistant managing editor of the outlet, Liz Sporkin told CBS at the time, “It’s like looking for the man you’re going to marry. When he comes along, you just know it.
“When he was in Runaway Bride this summer, we just knew it.”
2000: Brad Pitt
Pitt was the first Sexiest Man Alive to be named twice, scoring the title again in 2000.
He reflected on the honour in 2011: “When you get older, you realise it’s just for fun. [George] Clooney and I were able to have fun with it later.
“But in some ways, I’m still a kid from Missouri and Oklahoma and I’m trying to find my way. By the way, we’re only talking about a blip. I didn’t spend much time thinking about it.”
2001: Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brosnan was the second (and reigning) James Bond to be named Sexiest Man Alive, being chosen at 48 in 2001.
He proudly used the identifier, doing so during a 2002 interview with The Guardian.
The writer asked him why women approach him so much, to which he said, ”Because I’m the sexiest man in the world!” before slapping the table authoritatively.
“I know I am. I read it,” he said.
Now 72, Brosnan most recently starred in The Thursday Murder Club.
2002: Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck was in the thick of his relationship with Jennifer Lopez when he was named Sexiest Man Alive in 2002.
His friend director Kevin Smith told People at the time, “Chicks gravitate to him. The word on the street is that he’s the ideal man, chatty, gorgeous, generous and intelligent.”
More than 20 years later, Affleck and Lopez have been married and divorced after reuniting in 2021.
2003: Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp was 40 when he took out the honour in 2003.
All he had to say about the title was, “Life’s pretty good, and why wouldn’t it be? I’m a pirate, after all!”
2004: Jude Law
2004 was a big year for Jude Law.
At 31, he was named Sexiest Man Alive, with Naomi Watts saying of the selection, “He’s the most beautiful man who ever walked the earth – an absolutely perfect oil painting.”
It was also the year he hired the nanny he would go on to cheat on ex-fiancée Sienna Miller with.
Now 52, Law has been married to Phillipa Coan since 2019.
2005: Matthew McConaughey
Alright, alright, alright.
Despite a box office slump thanks to Two for the Money and Sahara, Matthew McConaughey was chosen as Sexiest Man Alive in 2005.
Upon learning his new title, he warned, “Wait until you see the roles I could take after this,” he joked to People.
“You’re going to see my gut hanging over, plus 22 [lbs.] It’ll be a whole new kind of sexy!”
Now 56, McConaughey is married to Camila Alves, and the couple share three children.
2006: George Clooney
Clooney was one of a handful of stars who were named twice, earning the title again in 2006 at the age of 45.
Despite his double win, he hasn’t stopped campaigning for a third go.
“I’m lobbying for a third one, no one’s ever won three,” he said during an interview in 2020.
Now 64, Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor finally found love and married powerhouse lawyer Amal Clooney in 2014.
The couple share two children, twins.
2007: Matt Damon
Victory for Matt Damon at last!
After being teased by his Ocean’s Eleven co-stars for being snubbed after both Clooney and Pitt won not once, but twice, Damon landed the cover in 2007 at the age of 37.
“You’ve given an aging suburban dad the ego-boost of a lifetime,” he told People at the time.
Damon, now 55, recently starred in Christopher Nolan’s biographical film Oppenheimer.
2008: Hugh Jackman
Another Aussie!
Hugh Jackman was named Sexiest Man Alive in 2008, aged 40.
Now 57, the actor recently reprised his role as Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine.
He has also divorced from his ex-wife, fellow Aussie actress Deborra-lee Furness, after 27 years of marriage, and is currently dating his co-star Sutton Foster.
2009: Johnny Depp
Depp was named again at the age of 46 in 2009.
“Whether it’s onscreen in roles like Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise or at home with his family on their private Bahamian island, the 46-year-old father of two with 25 years in show business still reigns as Hollywood’s most irresistible iconoclast,” People said in a statement.
Now 62, Depp has been embroiled in controversy in recent years due to a defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard.
2010: Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds was named in 2010 at the age of 34.
With his signature self-deprecating humour he shared with the magazine, “The most difficult part is going to be organically working this title into a conversation with random strangers.
“This gives my family entrée into teasing me for the rest of my life.”
At the time he was cast as the Green Lantern, but Reynolds has since shucked his DC Comics roots and moved back to Marvel to star as Deadpool.
He worked alongside Jackman for the third movie, which was released in 2024.
2011: Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper was 36 when he was selected in 2011, though he humbly accepted the award.
“I think it’s really cool that a guy who doesn’t look like a model can have this No other Kennedy achieved the same honour JFK Jr did,” the Hangover star told the magazine at the time.
“I think I’m a decent-looking guy. Sometimes I can look great, and other times I look horrifying.”
Now 50, Cooper has since been nominated for 12 Academy Awards, but has never won one. He is currently dating model Gigi Hadid, 30.
2012: Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum scored Sexiest Man Alive in 2012 at the age of 32.
At the time he had come off the success of Magic Mike and 21 Jump Street, and was preparing for fatherhood.
He recalled that when he got the call from the magazine, ”My first thought was, ‘Y’all are messing with me.'”
His then-wife Jenna Dewan thought the same, with the actor telling her as they were bathing their dogs. ”She was like, ‘What?'” he recalled.
Now 45, Tatum most recently starred in Blink Twice, a film directed by his then-fiancée Zoë Kravitz. They split after three years of dating.
2013: Adam Levine
At 34, Adam Levine became the first musician to be named in 2013.
At the time he said, “You feel like you owe it to be kind of self-deprecating about it because it is an iconic thing, but also silly.
“It’s going to hit me when I’m constantly the butt of every joke every friend and family member makes for the next 20 years of my life, but I’m ready to handle it.”
Now 46, Levine was recently embroiled in a cheating scandal while he and his wife Behati Prinsloo were expecting their third child.
2014: Chris Hemsworth
Yet another man from Down Under!
Chris Hemsworth was named in 2014 aged 31.
The Thor star was pleased by the honour, finding it “pretty funny” and telling the outlet, “I think you’ve bought me a couple of weeks of bragging rights around the house,”
Saying of his wife, Elsa Pataky, “I can just say to her, ‘Now remember, this is what the people think, so I don’t need to do the dishes anymore, I don’t need to change nappies. I’m above that. I’ve made it now.’ “
Now 42, Hemsworth lives in Byron Bay with his wife and three children: India, 13, and 11-year-old twin sons Sasha and Tristan.
2015: David Beckham
David Beckham was the first elite athlete chosen when he was named in 2015 at the age of 40.
“I never feel that I’m an attractive, sexy person,” he said in his interview, whiel his oldest son Brooklyn joked that he should’ve gotten the honour instead of his dad.
David assured that his wife Victoria agreed with the title, sharing, ”I would hope that she feels this way about me all the time anyway! But she said, ‘Congratulations!'”
Now 50, the former footballer is now known as Sir David Beckham, after having been officially knighted by King Charles III last week after years of campaigning.
Once tight knit with his son, the family have spent the last year in the midst of a feud with Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz.
Amongst it all, the family have been releasing many tell-all documentaries offering a glimpse into their family life.
2016: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
In 2016, The Rock was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive, becoming only the second man of colour to be given the title.
He reflected about his youth in his interview with the outlet, sharing, ”I was getting arrested multiple times, but at the same time, always very respectful to my teachers and elders. I was unsure of who I was and who I wanted to be.”
After receiving the title, he said, ”I thought, ‘Wow, we’ve pretty much reached the pinnacle.’ I’m not quite too sure where we go from here. I’ve done it all, this is it.”
He is now 53 years old and will soon be appearing in the live version of Moana in 2026, reprising his role of Maui.
2017: Blake Shelton
The Rock is a hard act to follow, and country music star Blake Shelton was deemed by some a controversial choice when he was named in 2017.
Nevertheless, Shelton was chosen as that year’s Sexiest Man Alive at the age of 41.
When he first heard he was selected, Shelton thought, “That y’all must be running out of people,” he joked to People, “Like, Wow, we’re down to somebody who is somewhat symmetrical.”
It was his wife Gwen Stefani that urged him to embrace the title. “She goes, ‘Listen to me, you’re going to regret this for the rest of your life if you don’t take this gift and just live in the moment,'” he said of his duet partner.
He is now 49.
2018: Idris Elba
Actor and perpetually-rumoured James Bond-to-be Idris Elba was named in 2018.
When he heard the news, his first reaction was “Come on, no way. Really?”
“Looked in the mirror, I checked myself out. I was like, ‘Yeah, you are kind of sexy today.’
“But to be honest, it was just a nice feeling. It was a nice surprise — an ego boost for sure.”
Now 53, Elba and the James Bond producers have firmly put the rumours of his casting as 007 to rest.
2019: John Legend
In 2019, John Legend was named Sexiest Man Alive at the age of 41, even receiving two covers for the honour.
Upong taking up the mantle, he said, “I was excited, but I was a little scared at the same time because it’s a lot of pressure.”
“Everyone’s going to be picking me apart to see if I’m sexy enough to hold this title!”
Now 46, Legend and his wife Chrissy Teigen are enjoying being parents to four children, with their youngest two being born within five months of each other.
2020: Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan was announced Sexiest Man Alive in 2020, at the age of 33, but he said the women of his family would be the most excited about the title.
“This is one that they’re definitely going to have a special place for,” he told the outlet.
Now 38, Jordan has recently been acclaimed for his double role in Sinners.
2021: Paul Rudd
The never-ageing Paul Rudd was named Sexiest Man Alive in 2021 at the age of 52.
When he was named he said, “I do have an awareness, enough to know that when people hear that I’d be picked for this, they would say, ‘What?'”
“This is not false humility. There are so many people that should get this before me.”
But that didn’t stop him from taking advantage of the title. “I mean I’m going to lean into it hard,” he joked.
“I’m going to own this. I’m not going to try to be like ‘Oh, I’m so modest.’ I’m getting business cards made. But all of my friends will destroy me and I expect them to. And that’s why they’re my friends.”
Now 56, Rudd most recently starred in Only Murders in the Building.
2022: Chris Evans
Chris Evans was named 2022’s Sexiest Man Alive, at the age of 41.
Like his predecessors, Evans found it hard to accept the title.
“This whole thing is tough to be interviewed about,” he laughed.
“It feels like a weird form of humble bragging.”
“Really this will just be a point of bullying,” he said, expecting it from his friends, “It’s ripe for harassment.”
One person who was delighted was his mum Lisa. ”I am not surprised at all,” she said, “Our family will be beside themselves.”
The announcement came as reports of his year-long relationship with actress Alba Baptista, then 25, emerged.
Evans, now aged 44, wed Baptista in October 2023, with the couple welcoming their first child, a baby girl, just two weeks ago.
2023: Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Demspey, 57, was announced as People‘s Sexiest Man Alive for 2023, a fact revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and in a special edition of the magazine.
He said of being crowned: “I was completely shocked, and then I started laughing, like, ‘This is a joke, right? I’ve always been the bridesmaid!'”
On being crowned at 57 he said, “I’m glad it’s happening at this point in my life. It’s nice to have the recognition, and certainly my ego takes a little bump, but it gives me the platform to use it for something positive.”
Now 59, Dempsey has been married to Jillian Fink since 1999.
2024: John Krasinski
John Krasinski was crowned People‘s Sexiest Man Alive for 2024, telling the magazine of his reaction to finding out the news: “Just immediate blackout, actually. Zero thoughts.”
“That’s not how I wake up usually, thinking, ‘Is this the day that I’ll be asked to be Sexiest Man Alive?’ ” Krasinski joked.
Ahead of his title, his predecessors The Rock and Chris Evans passed on some advice.
”Good luck following us,” The Rock told Evans, “Wrap it up, buddy.”
”You’re only ever going to be second best,” Evans added.
Laughing it off, The Rock turned to a more serious note, revealing his actual advice for 2024’s Sexiest Man Alive.
”I’m sure it’s yours [advice] too, but dude have fun. It’s fun,” he said.
“And you’re lucky.”
2025: Jonathan Bailey
Jonathan Bailey made history on the 40th anniversary edition of People‘s Sexiest Man Alive, becoming the first openly gay man to receive the honour.
The actor has recently dominated the spotlight with his role playing Fiyero in Wicked and Wicked For Good.
He featured on the cover with his adorable cockapoo Benson, who is the only one he told about his new title before it was revealed last week.
“A lot of my friends will [give me grief]. They’ll be furious that I haven’t told them. And then they’ll just squeal with delight,” he told People.
“They’ve seen me grow up. Behind the mask of being identified as a sexy man are other truths that they know and they’ve witnessed. They know the secrets.”
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