'I'm Still the Sexiest': Everything PEOPLE's Past Sexiest Man Alive Winners Have Said About the Title

Mar. 15, 2025

Patrick Dempsey.Photo:Carter Smith

Carter Smith

Breaking up is hard to do … when you’re one of theSexiest Men Aliveand you need to pass the title along.That’s how some of our past honorees have felt when their reign ended. While many men have been happy to see others take the crown (and the attention that comes with it), some, likeThe Rock, have a harder time letting go —or in his case, might never let go.FromPatrick DempseytoBrad PitttoBen AffleckandGeorge Clooney, here’s what our former Sexiest Man Alive honorees have said about the title.

Breaking up is hard to do … when you’re one of theSexiest Men Aliveand you need to pass the title along.

That’s how some of our past honorees have felt when their reign ended. While many men have been happy to see others take the crown (and the attention that comes with it), some, likeThe Rock, have a harder time letting go —or in his case, might never let go.

FromPatrick DempseytoBrad PitttoBen AffleckandGeorge Clooney, here’s what our former Sexiest Man Alive honorees have said about the title.

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Patrick Dempsey

People’s Sexiest Man Alive 2023, Patrick Dempsey.Carter Smith

To many,Patrick Dempseybeing namedPEOPLE’s 2023 Sexiest Man Alivewas an obvious choice. Dempsey’s family, however, thought it was a joke.

“They laughed quite hard,” he toldJimmy Kimmelof his family’s reaction to the title. “They were like, ‘No, seriously, who is it?’ I was like, ‘It’s me!’ Reality came crashing hard,” theFerrariactor joked.

But it seems as though Dempsey’s family aren’t the only ones who were a bit surprised. TheGrey’s Anatomyalum admitted he was a little surprised when he got the call.

“I was completely shocked, and then I started laughing, like, this is a joke, right? I’ve always been the bridesmaid!” he told PEOPLE in his cover story last year. “I’d completely forgotten about it and never even contemplated being in this position. So my ego is good.”

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Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt and George Clooney.JB Lacroix/FilmMagic

JB Lacroix/FilmMagic

Brad PittandGeorge Clooneyput their bid in for another title: Sexiest ManStillAlive.

When PEOPLE asked theWolfsactors if they had any advice forfuture Sexiest Men Alive— Clooney was named in 1997 and 2006 and Pitt held the title in 1995 and 2000 — the latter joked, “This is the Sexiest Man Still Alive,” in reference to Clooney.

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George Clooney & Ben Affleck

George Clooney and Ben Affleck.Kevin Mazur/WireImage

“Well, I passed a few times, obviously,” Affleck joked about why Clooney has one more than him. “George, he likes that stuff and he wanted to keep doing it and I felt like maybe one was enough.”

He also discussed their competitiveness in both having played Batman on the big screen:Clooney in 1997’sBatman & Robinand Affleck in the recentJustice Leaguefilms. “Yes, two Batmans. Two people who have been in PEOPLE magazine too — and that’s no joke,” he said.

04of 13John LegendDoug InglishJohn Legend had no choice but to have a good sense of humor about his 2019 title — after all, wifeChrissy Teigenwas prepared to rib him about it at every turn (who could forget those Sexiest Man Alive PJs?).“I’ve appreciated the whole experience and I’ve been trying to have a lot of fun with it, but I’m so ready to relinquish this title,“he said in September. “It’s been funny, it’s been humbling, it’s been all those things. I’ve truly enjoyed just making fun of myself throughout it because you can’t take yourself too seriously when someone calls you the Sexiest Man Alive. It’s not a literal thing, and it’s not to be taken too seriously.”

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John Legend

Doug Inglish

John Legend had no choice but to have a good sense of humor about his 2019 title — after all, wifeChrissy Teigenwas prepared to rib him about it at every turn (who could forget those Sexiest Man Alive PJs?).

“I’ve appreciated the whole experience and I’ve been trying to have a lot of fun with it, but I’m so ready to relinquish this title,“he said in September. “It’s been funny, it’s been humbling, it’s been all those things. I’ve truly enjoyed just making fun of myself throughout it because you can’t take yourself too seriously when someone calls you the Sexiest Man Alive. It’s not a literal thing, and it’s not to be taken too seriously.”

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Idris Elba

David Burton

“Here’s my philosophy on this. It says Sexiest Man Alive. So as long as I’m alive,I’m still the sexiest,” Idris Elba joked to hostEllen DeGeneresduring an appearance on her show.

And he doesn’t seem to be letting go anytime soon. Asked for a nomination forhis Sexiest Man successor in 2019, theFast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shawstar had a novel idea: himself. Elba told PEOPLE, “Let it be the first time in history that the Sexiest Man Alive is the same man two years in a row.”

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Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton’s 2017 cover.

“Can I be honest? I feel like when I gave up my crown, sexy ended,“The Voicecoach toldEntertainment Tonightin November 2018. “It just ended in the world. So until I get it back, it doesn’t exist anymore.”

Regarding the next pick, Idris Elba, Shelton said he couldn’t quite see the appeal. “I’m sure this new guy is a nice guy,” he joked to the outlet. “He’s a great guy. I mean, I don’t see it myself. I’m really the only person I’ve ever seen it with.”

That doesn’t mean he’s above poking fun at his appearance, though! While promoting his filmUglyDolls,he saidhe related to the movie’s message of loving yourself no matter what: “I am proof that you can be odd-looking and still be accepted, and make the most out of it. … Look at this chin, this chin and this chin, and then tell yourself I was the Sexiest Man Alive.”

07of 13Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson2016’s Sexiest Man AliveDwayne “The Rock” Johnson doesn’t care who else gets the title after him, because in his eyes, he will hold it “forever.““I made a pact with PEOPLE magazine a few years ago that I will never give up the title,” theRampagestar said onPeople Nowin 2016. “So, everyone, doesn’t matter who it is, they can continue to be Sexiest Man, but I am. Forever, forever.“WhenBlake Sheltonwas announced as his successor, The Rock reminded everyone of this facton Twitter. “Let’s all just take a moment to recognize @people’s Sexiest Man Alive will always be the 6'5 260lbs of tattooed brown eyed soul,” he wrote in part.In another tweet,he joked, “Truth is I was going to become the first ever back to back SMA butthat absurd fanny pack picturemade its rounds on the interweb again causing @people to rethunketh the whole damn thing,” referencing his iconic'90s black-turtleneck look.Not one to let people forget about his title for long, Johnson recently joked about it once again whilefilming a videoof everything he keeps inhis Project Rock gym bag- including a Magic 8 Ball, which he had a very pressing question for. “Dear Magic 8 Ball, will PEOPLE magazine finally just stop giving out Sexiest Man Alive and just give it to me in perpetuity? Because once Sexiest Man Alive, which I was, then always Sexiest Man Alive.” TheRampagestar was none too pleased when the classic toy revealed that the “chances aren’t good,” prompting him to hilariously toss the ball into the trash.And in 2020,he posted an incredible elementary school throwback shot, which he captioned, “No way this stud doesn’t grow up to become Sexiest Man Alive 🤣.”

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Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson

2016’s Sexiest Man AliveDwayne “The Rock” Johnson doesn’t care who else gets the title after him, because in his eyes, he will hold it “forever.”

“I made a pact with PEOPLE magazine a few years ago that I will never give up the title,” theRampagestar said onPeople Nowin 2016. “So, everyone, doesn’t matter who it is, they can continue to be Sexiest Man, but I am. Forever, forever.”

WhenBlake Sheltonwas announced as his successor, The Rock reminded everyone of this facton Twitter. “Let’s all just take a moment to recognize @people’s Sexiest Man Alive will always be the 6'5 260lbs of tattooed brown eyed soul,” he wrote in part.

In another tweet,he joked, “Truth is I was going to become the first ever back to back SMA butthat absurd fanny pack picturemade its rounds on the interweb again causing @people to rethunketh the whole damn thing,” referencing his iconic'90s black-turtleneck look.

Not one to let people forget about his title for long, Johnson recently joked about it once again whilefilming a videoof everything he keeps inhis Project Rock gym bag- including a Magic 8 Ball, which he had a very pressing question for. “Dear Magic 8 Ball, will PEOPLE magazine finally just stop giving out Sexiest Man Alive and just give it to me in perpetuity? Because once Sexiest Man Alive, which I was, then always Sexiest Man Alive.” TheRampagestar was none too pleased when the classic toy revealed that the “chances aren’t good,” prompting him to hilariously toss the ball into the trash.

And in 2020,he posted an incredible elementary school throwback shot, which he captioned, “No way this stud doesn’t grow up to become Sexiest Man Alive 🤣.”

08of 13Chris HemsworthThe Avengersstar Chris Hemsworth might not be PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive anymore — he took home the titlein 2014— but he still earned honorable mention as 2019’s"Sexiest Chris,“beating out a few of his hunky peers who share his first name.During an appearance onTheEllen DeGeneresShowin April 2019, host Ellen expressed concern over the Aussie actor’s ego. “You were the Sexiest Man Alive and now, in the magazine, you’re just a ‘Sexy Chris,’ withChris Prattand a bunch of Chrises. You were demoted,” she said.Hemsworth laughed but remained optimistic about his new ranking. “I was demoted, yeah, out of how many billion people on the planet to four of us,” the actor joked.Joking withAvengerscostarChris Evansduring an interview withEntertainment TonightCanadaa few weeks later, the pair imagined that there was a long list of hunky men who had turned the title down before it got offered to Hemsworth — even joking that Chris had cajoled younger equally hunky brother Liam to turn it down so that Chris could take the title: “Liam, say no! Say no, Liam! You don’t need this, you’re too young!”

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Chris Hemsworth

The Avengersstar Chris Hemsworth might not be PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive anymore — he took home the titlein 2014— but he still earned honorable mention as 2019’s"Sexiest Chris,“beating out a few of his hunky peers who share his first name.

During an appearance onTheEllen DeGeneresShowin April 2019, host Ellen expressed concern over the Aussie actor’s ego. “You were the Sexiest Man Alive and now, in the magazine, you’re just a ‘Sexy Chris,’ withChris Prattand a bunch of Chrises. You were demoted,” she said.

Hemsworth laughed but remained optimistic about his new ranking. “I was demoted, yeah, out of how many billion people on the planet to four of us,” the actor joked.

Joking withAvengerscostarChris Evansduring an interview withEntertainment TonightCanadaa few weeks later, the pair imagined that there was a long list of hunky men who had turned the title down before it got offered to Hemsworth — even joking that Chris had cajoled younger equally hunky brother Liam to turn it down so that Chris could take the title: “Liam, say no! Say no, Liam! You don’t need this, you’re too young!”

09of 13Adam LevineMaroon 5 frontman Adam Levine was less than thrilled when his fellowThe VoicecoachBlake Sheltonwas named 2017’s Sexiest Man Alive. Levine, whowon the award in 2013, said “it cheapened it a lot” when the country singer was awarded the same sexy status.“He’s not sexy,” Levine complained about his friend and fake-rival onJimmy Kimmel Live!in 2018. “It also made it feel worse that I got it … ‘cause like sexy dudes got it before I did and I was like, ‘Yeah, cool, I guess I’m sexy like that,’ " he explained, adding that Shelton’s win meant, “I guess I’m not as sexy as I thought I was.“To be fair, Levine may have sparked Shelton’s desire to follow in his footsteps: After receiving the honor in 2013, he framed an enormous image of his PEOPLE cover and sent it to the country singer’s house in Oklahoma.“He put it in his barn,” he laughed. “I guess that lit a fire under him, that now he wanted it.”

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Adam Levine

Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine was less than thrilled when his fellowThe VoicecoachBlake Sheltonwas named 2017’s Sexiest Man Alive. Levine, whowon the award in 2013, said “it cheapened it a lot” when the country singer was awarded the same sexy status.

“He’s not sexy,” Levine complained about his friend and fake-rival onJimmy Kimmel Live!in 2018. “It also made it feel worse that I got it … ‘cause like sexy dudes got it before I did and I was like, ‘Yeah, cool, I guess I’m sexy like that,’ " he explained, adding that Shelton’s win meant, “I guess I’m not as sexy as I thought I was.”

To be fair, Levine may have sparked Shelton’s desire to follow in his footsteps: After receiving the honor in 2013, he framed an enormous image of his PEOPLE cover and sent it to the country singer’s house in Oklahoma.

“He put it in his barn,” he laughed. “I guess that lit a fire under him, that now he wanted it.”

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Hugh Jackman

The Greatest Showmanactor Hugh Jackman was named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2008, and as far as he’s concerned, he still holds the title, too.

“I mean, Ryan [Reynolds] does like to bring it up occasionally, but everyone knows that it doesn’t really mean anything now, but ten years ago it meant something,” Jackman teased, fueling the fire of hislong-running friendly feudwith 2010 Sexiest Man Alive Ryan Reynolds.

He continued his playful dig at Reynolds while offering some words of advice toBlake Sheltonafter the country startook home the titlein 2017.

“Hey @blakeshelton … take it from me … humble only gets you so far. Milk the sexy status for ALL it’s worth. The reign goes all too quickly. Just ask @VancityReynolds @people,” Jackman playfully tweeted.

11of 13George ClooneyAfter George Clooney joined his friend andOcean’scostarBrad Pittas atwo-time Sexiest Man Alive winnerin 2006 (he’d also nabbed the title in 1997), he made it his mission to share his sexy secrets with his then-aspiring sexy pals to improve their chances of winning.While hisHail,Caesar!costarChanning Tatumhad already been named 2012’s Sexiest Man Alive, Clooney offered him some tips for how he could join the double-winner club during a2016 interviewwith PEOPLE.“You have to do a few things, maybe wear a baseball cap sideways, [take your] shirt off, some sort of a dance-type thing, I’ve got some ideas,” he suggested, admitting, “It’s a lot of work.“Tatum wasn’t the only actor theUp in the Airstar offered to advise. “Remember, I worked with Matt Damon and got him over the hump,” he said of his involvement in theGood Will Huntingstar’s 2007 title. “It was hard because he ran a good campaign, but I’ll tell you what I’m going to do for you my friend: I’m going to take you under my wing, I’m going to bring ya home and next year I see a two-timer coming in.”

11of 13

George Clooney

After George Clooney joined his friend andOcean’scostarBrad Pittas atwo-time Sexiest Man Alive winnerin 2006 (he’d also nabbed the title in 1997), he made it his mission to share his sexy secrets with his then-aspiring sexy pals to improve their chances of winning.

While hisHail,Caesar!costarChanning Tatumhad already been named 2012’s Sexiest Man Alive, Clooney offered him some tips for how he could join the double-winner club during a2016 interviewwith PEOPLE.

“You have to do a few things, maybe wear a baseball cap sideways, [take your] shirt off, some sort of a dance-type thing, I’ve got some ideas,” he suggested, admitting, “It’s a lot of work.”

Tatum wasn’t the only actor theUp in the Airstar offered to advise. “Remember, I worked with Matt Damon and got him over the hump,” he said of his involvement in theGood Will Huntingstar’s 2007 title. “It was hard because he ran a good campaign, but I’ll tell you what I’m going to do for you my friend: I’m going to take you under my wing, I’m going to bring ya home and next year I see a two-timer coming in.”

12of 13Matthew McConaugheyMatthew McConaughey, who took home the title in 2005, was an early supporter of hisDark Towercostar Idris Elba,campaigning for himthe year before Elba was named 2018’s Sexiest Man Alive.“There’s one of us here who hasn’t got it yet,” McConaughey hinted during a visit to PEOPLE with his costar. “And I know he’s been sneaking around your top three for a while. It’s probably time,” he suggested.At the time, Elba took McConaughey’s nomination in stride, joking, “I see that the Sexiest Man Alive is drawing to an end …” to which McConaughey clarified, “No, no, I’m still alive. That’s the thing about this crown, you get it until the day you leave this earth. And if you’re a believer you take it into the next life.”

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Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey, who took home the title in 2005, was an early supporter of hisDark Towercostar Idris Elba,campaigning for himthe year before Elba was named 2018’s Sexiest Man Alive.

“There’s one of us here who hasn’t got it yet,” McConaughey hinted during a visit to PEOPLE with his costar. “And I know he’s been sneaking around your top three for a while. It’s probably time,” he suggested.

At the time, Elba took McConaughey’s nomination in stride, joking, “I see that the Sexiest Man Alive is drawing to an end …” to which McConaughey clarified, “No, no, I’m still alive. That’s the thing about this crown, you get it until the day you leave this earth. And if you’re a believer you take it into the next life.”

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Ben Affleck

“It’s OK to be average, but I’m really not.Good Will HuntingtoArgo, I get Oscars a lot. I want to thank Ellen for having me here, so I can tell you all to see my movieTriple Frontieron Netflix.”

source: people.com