Denzel Washington and Patrick Dempsey.Photo:People; Carter Smith
People; Carter Smith
Setting out to connect all of the past Sexiest Men Alive — a moniker given out from 1985 to present — is no easy feat. And while it shouldn’t' be possible — the following proves that it very much is.The result is what we call The ‘Sexy’ Degrees of Separation — Like the Six Degrees of Separation, but sexy and with many more degrees.Dating all the way back to SMAs from the ’80s and ’90s such as John F. Kennedy Jr., Denzel Washington and George Clooney to our most recent sexy men John Krasinski, Patrick Dempsey and Chris Evans, see how they are all — one way or another — connected.
Setting out to connect all of the past Sexiest Men Alive — a moniker given out from 1985 to present — is no easy feat. And while it shouldn’t' be possible — the following proves that it very much is.
The result is what we call The ‘Sexy’ Degrees of Separation — Like the Six Degrees of Separation, but sexy and with many more degrees.
Dating all the way back to SMAs from the ’80s and ’90s such as John F. Kennedy Jr., Denzel Washington and George Clooney to our most recent sexy men John Krasinski, Patrick Dempsey and Chris Evans, see how they are all — one way or another — connected.
01of 54John KrasinskiDia Dipasupil/WireImageWas named 2024’s Sexiest Man Alive, butOfficefans might mistake him for…
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Dia Dipasupil/WireImage
Was named 2024’s Sexiest Man Alive, butOfficefans might mistake him for…
02of 54Randall ParkRothstein/Marvel/Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock; Marvel Studioswho costarred inAnt-Man & the Waspwith …
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Rothstein/Marvel/Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock; Marvel Studios
who costarred inAnt-Man & the Waspwith …
03of 542021’s Sexiest Man Alive, Paul RuddJeff Kravitz/FilmMagicwas in the 2002 cult classic filmWet Hot American Summerwhich was the feature film debut of …
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Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
was in the 2002 cult classic filmWet Hot American Summerwhich was the feature film debut of …
04of 542011’s Sexiest Man Alive, Bradley CooperAmy Rice/Eureka Pics/North Coast Group/Kobal/Shutterstock; Saeed Adyani/Netflix/Kobal/Shutterstock(pictured here in 2015’sWet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp). And they bothalsostarred in …
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Amy Rice/Eureka Pics/North Coast Group/Kobal/Shutterstock; Saeed Adyani/Netflix/Kobal/Shutterstock
(pictured here in 2015’sWet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp). And they bothalsostarred in …
05of 54the 2005 Broadway production of ‘Three Days of Rain’Paul Hawthorne/Gettywith Julia Roberts, who starred inPretty Womanwith …
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Paul Hawthorne/Getty
with Julia Roberts, who starred inPretty Womanwith …
06of 541999’s Sexiest Man Alive, Richard GereBuena Vista/Gettywho wasalsocrowned …
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Buena Vista/Getty
who wasalsocrowned …
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Brenda Chase/Online USA/Getty
08of 541988’s Sexiest Man Alive, John F. Kennedy Jr.BOB STRONG/AFP via Gettyand the magazine also had a cover featuring Calista Flockhart,and she is married to …
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BOB STRONG/AFP via Getty
and the magazine also had a cover featuring Calista Flockhart,and she is married to …
09of 541998’s Sexiest Man Alive, Harrison FordErik Pendzich/Shutterstock; Steve Granitz/WireImagewho plays the iconic Indiana Jones, and his fictional dad in the 1989 filmIndiana Jones and the Last Crusadewas …
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Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock; Steve Granitz/WireImage
who plays the iconic Indiana Jones, and his fictional dad in the 1989 filmIndiana Jones and the Last Crusadewas …
10of 541989’s Sexiest Man Alive, Sean ConneryParamount/Gettywho starred inThe Hunt for Red Octoberwith …
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Paramount/Getty
who starred inThe Hunt for Red Octoberwith …
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and the late actor voiced …
12of 54Mufasa in the original animated Disney movie ‘The Lion King’…Courtesy Everett Collection; Inset: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Gettywhile Moira Kelly voiced Nala, and Kelly appeared onThe West Wing, as did …
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Courtesy Everett Collection; Inset: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
while Moira Kelly voiced Nala, and Kelly appeared onThe West Wing, as did …
13of 541986’s Sexiest Man Alive, Mark HarmonEric Liebowitz/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; NBCU Photo Bankwho appeared inFreaky Fridaywith …
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Eric Liebowitz/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; NBCU Photo Bank
who appeared inFreaky Fridaywith …
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who starred inHalloweenwith …
15of 54a young Kyle RichardsAlamywho was onReal Housewives of Beverly Hillswith …
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Alamy
who was onReal Housewives of Beverly Hillswith …
16of 54Lisa Rinna!lisa rinna/ instagramAnd Rinna is married to …
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lisa rinna/ instagram
And Rinna is married to …
17of 541987’s Sexiest Man Alive, Harry HamlinEmma McIntyre/Getty(Pictured second from left) and Hamlin was inMad Menwith …
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Emma McIntyre/Getty
(Pictured second from left) and Hamlin was inMad Menwith …
18of 54January JonesJordin Althaus / © AMC / Courtesy Everett Collection; Michael Yarish / ©AMC / Courtesy Everett Collectionwho was inDirty Dancing: Havana Nights, where …
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Jordin Althaus / © AMC / Courtesy Everett Collection; Michael Yarish / ©AMC / Courtesy Everett Collection
who was inDirty Dancing: Havana Nights, where …
19of 541991’s Sexiest Man Alive, Patrick SwayzeMiramax/courtesy Everett Collection; Miramaxmade a cameo as a dance instructor. Swayze was also inThe Outsiderswith …
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Miramax/courtesy Everett Collection; Miramax
made a cameo as a dance instructor. Swayze was also inThe Outsiderswith …
20of 541990’s Sexiest Man Alive, Tom CruiseSunset Boulevard/Corbis via Gettywho starred inTropic Thunderwith …
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Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty
who starred inTropic Thunderwith …
21of 541992’s Sexiest Man Alive, Nick NolteDreamworks Llc/Kobal/Shutterstock; Mary Evans/DREAMWORKS/Ronald Grant/Everett CollectionIn the film with Cruise and Nolte was Robert Downey Jr., who played Iron Man in Marvel’sAvengersfranchise, which also stars …
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Dreamworks Llc/Kobal/Shutterstock; Mary Evans/DREAMWORKS/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection
In the film with Cruise and Nolte was Robert Downey Jr., who played Iron Man in Marvel’sAvengersfranchise, which also stars …
22of 542014’s Sexiest Man Alive, Chris Hemsworth & 2022’s Sexiest Man Alive, Chris EvansWalt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/courtesy Everett Collectionand Hemsworth was inSnow White and the Huntsmanwith …
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Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection
and Hemsworth was inSnow White and the Huntsmanwith …
23of 54Charlize TheronDave M. Benett/Gettyand shedid a commercial in 2018 with…
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Dave M. Benett/Getty
and shedid a commercial in 2018 with…
24of 541995 & 2000’s Sexiest Man AliveBrad Pitt, who acted in12 Years a Slavealongside …
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Brad Pitt, who acted in12 Years a Slavealongside …
25of 54Lupita Nyong’oJon Furniss/Invision/AP/Shutterstockwho was inBlack Pantherwith …
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Jon Furniss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
who was inBlack Pantherwith …
26of 542020’s Sexiest Man Alive, Michael B. JordanGeorge Pimentel/WireImagewho was onThe Wirewith …
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George Pimentel/WireImage
who was onThe Wirewith …
27of 542018’s Sexiest Man Alive, Idris ElbaBlown Deadline Productions/HBO/Alamy; HBO/Courtesy Everett Collectionwho starred in the 2007 filmAmerican Gangsteralongside …
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Blown Deadline Productions/HBO/Alamy; HBO/Courtesy Everett Collection
who starred in the 2007 filmAmerican Gangsteralongside …
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29of 542016’s Sexiest Man Alive, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ JohnsonAllen Berezovsky/Getty; Jeff Daly/©HBO/courtesy Everett Collectionwho stars in the 2021 filmRed Noticewith …
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Allen Berezovsky/Getty; Jeff Daly/©HBO/courtesy Everett Collection
who stars in the 2021 filmRed Noticewith …
30of 542010’s Sexiest Man Alive, Ryan ReynoldsFrank Masi / Netflixwho starred in the 2009 filmX-Men Origins: Wolverinewith …
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Frank Masi / Netflix
who starred in the 2009 filmX-Men Origins: Wolverinewith …
31of 542008’s Sexiest Man Alive, Hugh Jackman20th Century Fox/Courtesy Everett Collectionwho played Jean Valjean in the movie musical version ofLes Misérablesalongside …
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20th Century Fox/Courtesy Everett Collection
who played Jean Valjean in the movie musical version ofLes Misérablesalongside …
32of 54Amanda SeyfriedAlamyAnd Seyfried was also inMamma Mia,which means that Hugh shares an on-screen daughter with …
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And Seyfried was also inMamma Mia,which means that Hugh shares an on-screen daughter with …
33of 542001’s Sexiest Man Alive, Pierce BrosnanUniversal/courtesy Everett Collectionwho famously played 007 in 1995’s James Bond filmGoldenEye, which featured actor …
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Universal/courtesy Everett Collection
who famously played 007 in 1995’s James Bond filmGoldenEye, which featured actor …
34of 54Alan CummingAlamywho was also in the cult classic …
34of 54
who was also in the cult classic …
35of 54’Spice World’Columbia Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection; Inset: Ron Galella, Ltd/Ron Galella Collection via Gettystarring Posh Spice a.k.a. …
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Columbia Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection; Inset: Ron Galella, Ltd/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
starring Posh Spice a.k.a. …
36of 542015’s Sexiest Man Alive, David Beckham’sAnthony Harvey/Gettywife, Victoria Beckham, and she made a cameo in …
36of 54
Anthony Harvey/Getty
wife, Victoria Beckham, and she made a cameo in …
37of 54’Zoolander’Paramount Picturesas didGwen Stefani, who is married to …
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Paramount Pictures
as didGwen Stefani, who is married to …
38of 542017’s Sexiest Man Alive, Blake SheltonEmma McIntyre/Gettywho coachedThe Voicewith …
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who coachedThe Voicewith …
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Art Streiber/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
40of 54Tony Bennett and Jennifer LopezKevin Winter/Gettyand Lopez wasmarriedto …
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Kevin Winter/Getty
and Lopez wasmarriedto …
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Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty
42of 541997 & 2006’s Sexiest Man Alive, George ClooneyDavid M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImagewho starred inOcean’s Elevenwith …
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David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage
who starred inOcean’s Elevenwith …
43of 542007’s Sexiest Man Alive, Matt DamonShutterstock(and check outBrad Pitt, too!) and Damon starred inThe Talented Mr. Ripleywith …
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Shutterstock
(and check outBrad Pitt, too!) and Damon starred inThe Talented Mr. Ripleywith …
44of 542004’s Sexiest Man Alive, Jude LawPhil Bray/Paramount/Miramax/Kobal/Shutterstockwho was inAnna Kareninawith …
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Phil Bray/Paramount/Miramax/Kobal/Shutterstock
who was inAnna Kareninawith …
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who was inPirates of the Caribbeanwith …
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who was inSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Streetwith …
47of 54Helena Bonham CarterLeah Gallo/Dreamworks/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstockwho played Ophelia in the 1990 movie version ofHamlet, starring …
47of 54
Leah Gallo/Dreamworks/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock
who played Ophelia in the 1990 movie version ofHamlet, starring …
48of 541985’s Sexiest Man Alive, Mel GibsonParamount/Kobal/Shutterstockwho was inLethal Weaponwith …
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Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock
who was inLethal Weaponwith …
49of 54…Danny GloverMary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett Collectionand Glover was inAngels in the Outfieldwith …
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Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection
and Glover was inAngels in the Outfieldwith …
50of 542005’s Sexiest Man Alive, Matthew McConaugheyBuena Vista Pictures/ Courtesy: Everett Collection; Inset: Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Gettywho appeared inMagic Mikewith …
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Buena Vista Pictures/ Courtesy: Everett Collection; Inset: Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
who appeared inMagic Mikewith …
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who was in the 2013 movieThis Is The Endwith none other than …
52of 542021’s Sexiest Man Alive, Paul Rudd!Columbia Pictures
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Columbia Pictures
53of 54And if that wasn’t enough…Bruce Glikas/FilmMagicRudd (far right) also shared a stage with Kevin Bacon (far left) when they were both part of staged readings for the MCC Theatre in N.Y.C. Bacon has never been named Sexiest Man Alive, but this connection fulfills the theory that suggests any actor in Hollywood can be connected to Kevin Bacon within six degrees, a.k.a. The Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.
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Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
Rudd (far right) also shared a stage with Kevin Bacon (far left) when they were both part of staged readings for the MCC Theatre in N.Y.C. Bacon has never been named Sexiest Man Alive, but this connection fulfills the theory that suggests any actor in Hollywood can be connected to Kevin Bacon within six degrees, a.k.a. The Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.
54of 54And wait, there’s more…Patrick Dempsey and Laura Linney.Don Arnold/WireImage; Roy Rochlin/GettyAnd in another case of Kevin Bacon being just a few people removed from the dynasty of SMA guys, theFootloosestar starred in 2003’sMystic Riverwith Laura Linney who later appeared alongside 2023’s Sexiest Man Alive, Patrick Dempsey, in themini-sequel ofLove Actuallyfor Red Nose Day in 2017.
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Patrick Dempsey and Laura Linney.Don Arnold/WireImage; Roy Rochlin/Getty
Don Arnold/WireImage; Roy Rochlin/Getty
And in another case of Kevin Bacon being just a few people removed from the dynasty of SMA guys, theFootloosestar starred in 2003’sMystic Riverwith Laura Linney who later appeared alongside 2023’s Sexiest Man Alive, Patrick Dempsey, in themini-sequel ofLove Actuallyfor Red Nose Day in 2017.
source: people.com