The 'Sexy' Degrees of Separation: How We Connected Every Single Past Sexiest Man Alive

Mar. 15, 2025

Denzel Washington and Patrick Dempsey.Photo:People; Carter Smith

Denzel Washington Sexiest Man Alive cover; Patrick Dempsey Sexiest Man Alive cover

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…

01of 54

John Krasinski

Dia Dipasupil/WireImage

John Krasinski attends Paramount’s “A Quiet Place: Day One” New York Premiere

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 …

02of 54

Randall Park

Rothstein/Marvel/Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock; Marvel Studios

Randall Park and Paul Rudd in Ant Man and the Wasp

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 …

03of 54

2021’s Sexiest Man Alive, Paul Rudd

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Paul Rudd attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by 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 …

04of 54

2011’s Sexiest Man Alive, Bradley Cooper

Amy Rice/Eureka Pics/North Coast Group/Kobal/Shutterstock; Saeed Adyani/Netflix/Kobal/Shutterstock

Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper - Wet Hot American Summer

(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 …

05of 54

the 2005 Broadway production of ‘Three Days of Rain’

Paul Hawthorne/Getty

NEW YORK - APRIL 19: (L-R) Actors Paul Rudd, Julia Roberts and Bradley Cooper appear onstage during curtain call at the opening night of “Three Days of Rain” at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on April 19, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)

with Julia Roberts, who starred inPretty Womanwith …

06of 541999’s Sexiest Man Alive, Richard GereBuena Vista/Gettywho wasalsocrowned …

06of 54

1999’s Sexiest Man Alive, Richard Gere

Buena Vista/Getty

Richard Gere And Julia Roberts In ‘Pretty Woman’

who wasalsocrowned …

07of 54

Sexiest Couple Alive in 1993 with Cindy Crawford

Brenda Chase/Online USA/Getty

Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere

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 …

08of 54

1988’s Sexiest Man Alive, John F. Kennedy Jr.

BOB STRONG/AFP via Getty

John F. Kennedy Jr., Cindy Crawford - George Magazine

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 …

09of 54

1998’s Sexiest Man Alive, Harrison Ford

Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock; Steve Granitz/WireImage

Harrison Ford, Calista Flockhart

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 …

10of 54

1989’s Sexiest Man Alive, Sean Connery

Paramount/Getty

Harrison Ford And Sean Connery In ‘Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade’

who starred inThe Hunt for Red Octoberwith …

11of 54

James Earl Jones

Sean Connery, James Earl Jones - The Hunt for Red October

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 …

12of 54

Mufasa 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 Getty

James Earl Jones, Moira Kelly - The Lion King

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 …

13of 54

1986’s Sexiest Man Alive, Mark Harmon

Eric Liebowitz/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; NBCU Photo Bank

Moira Kelly - Mark Harmon - The West Wing

who appeared inFreaky Fridaywith …

14of 54

Jamie Lee Curtis

Freaky Friday, Jamie Lee Curtis, Mark Harmon

who starred inHalloweenwith …

15of 54a young Kyle RichardsAlamywho was onReal Housewives of Beverly Hillswith …

15of 54

a young Kyle Richards

Alamy

Jamie Lee Curtis, Kyle Richards - Halloween

who was onReal Housewives of Beverly Hillswith …

16of 54Lisa Rinna!lisa rinna/ instagramAnd Rinna is married to …

16of 54

Lisa Rinna!

lisa rinna/ instagram

lisa rinna and kyle richards

And Rinna is married to …

17of 541987’s Sexiest Man Alive, Harry HamlinEmma McIntyre/Getty(Pictured second from left) and Hamlin was inMad Menwith …

17of 54

1987’s Sexiest Man Alive, Harry Hamlin

Emma McIntyre/Getty

Lisa Rinna, Harry Hamlin, Kyle Richards, and Mauricio Umansky

(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 …

18of 54

January Jones

Jordin Althaus / © AMC / Courtesy Everett Collection; Michael Yarish / ©AMC / Courtesy Everett Collection

Harry Hamlin, January Jones - Mad Men

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 …

19of 54

1991’s Sexiest Man Alive, Patrick Swayze

Miramax/courtesy Everett Collection; Miramax

January Jones, Patrick Swayze - Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights

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 …

20of 54

1990’s Sexiest Man Alive, Tom Cruise

Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise - The Outsiders

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 …

21of 54

1992’s Sexiest Man Alive, Nick Nolte

Dreamworks Llc/Kobal/Shutterstock; Mary Evans/DREAMWORKS/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection

Tom Cruise, Nick Nolte, Robert Downey Jr. - Tropic Thunder

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 …

22of 54

2014’s Sexiest Man Alive, Chris Hemsworth & 2022’s Sexiest Man Alive, Chris Evans

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth - The Avengers

and Hemsworth was inSnow White and the Huntsmanwith …

23of 54Charlize TheronDave M. Benett/Gettyand shedid a commercial in 2018 with…

23of 54

Charlize Theron

Dave M. Benett/Getty

Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron - Snow White and the Huntsman

and shedid a commercial in 2018 with…

24of 541995 & 2000’s Sexiest Man AliveBrad Pitt, who acted in12 Years a Slavealongside …

24of 54

1995 & 2000’s Sexiest Man Alive

Brad Pitt, who acted in12 Years a Slavealongside …

25of 54Lupita Nyong’oJon Furniss/Invision/AP/Shutterstockwho was inBlack Pantherwith …

25of 54

Lupita Nyong’o

Jon Furniss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Lupita Nyong’o and Brad Pitt attend the EE British Academy Film Awards Entertainment One After Party at the London Edition, in London Britain EE British Academy Film Awards 2014 Entertainment One After Party, London, United Kingdom - 16 Feb 2014

who was inBlack Pantherwith …

26of 542020’s Sexiest Man Alive, Michael B. JordanGeorge Pimentel/WireImagewho was onThe Wirewith …

26of 54

2020’s Sexiest Man Alive, Michael B. Jordan

George Pimentel/WireImage

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 06: Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o attend the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 06, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by 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 …

27of 54

2018’s Sexiest Man Alive, Idris Elba

Blown Deadline Productions/HBO/Alamy; HBO/Courtesy Everett Collection

Michael B. Jordan and Idris Elba - The Wire

who starred in the 2007 filmAmerican Gangsteralongside …

28of 54

1996’s Sexiest Man Alive, Denzel Washington

Idris Elba, Denzel Washington - American Gangster

29of 542016’s Sexiest Man Alive, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ JohnsonAllen Berezovsky/Getty; Jeff Daly/©HBO/courtesy Everett Collectionwho stars in the 2021 filmRed Noticewith …

29of 54

2016’s Sexiest Man Alive, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson

Allen Berezovsky/Getty; Jeff Daly/©HBO/courtesy Everett Collection

Denzel Washington, John David Washington, Dwayne Johnson - Ballers

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 …

30of 54

2010’s Sexiest Man Alive, Ryan Reynolds

Frank Masi / Netflix

RED NOTICE - (L-R) Dwayne Johnson is John Hartley and Ryan Reynolds is Nolan Booth in Netflix’s RED NOTICE. Directed and written by Rawson Marshall Thurber; RED NOTICE is releasing November 12, 2021. Cr: Frank Masi / Netflix © 2021

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 …

31of 54

2008’s Sexiest Man Alive, Hugh Jackman

20th Century Fox/Courtesy Everett Collection

Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman - X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE

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 …

32of 54

Amanda Seyfried

HUGH JACKMAN, AMANDA SEYFRIED, LES MISERABLES

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 …

33of 54

2001’s Sexiest Man Alive, Pierce Brosnan

Universal/courtesy Everett Collection

Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan - MAMMA MIA!

who famously played 007 in 1995’s James Bond filmGoldenEye, which featured actor …

34of 54Alan CummingAlamywho was also in the cult classic …

34of 54

Alan Cumming

Pierce Brosnan, Alan Cumming - GoldenEye

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. …

35of 54

‘Spice World’

Columbia Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection; Inset: Ron Galella, Ltd/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm, Geri Halliwell, Victoria Beckham, Alan Cumming - Spice World

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

2015’s Sexiest Man Alive, David Beckham’s

Anthony Harvey/Getty

Victoria and David Beckham

wife, Victoria Beckham, and she made a cameo in …

37of 54’Zoolander’Paramount Picturesas didGwen Stefani, who is married to …

37of 54

‘Zoolander’

Paramount Pictures

Victoria Beckham, Gwen Stefani - Zoolander

as didGwen Stefani, who is married to …

38of 542017’s Sexiest Man Alive, Blake SheltonEmma McIntyre/Gettywho coachedThe Voicewith …

38of 54

2017’s Sexiest Man Alive, Blake Shelton

Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton

who coachedThe Voicewith …

39of 54

2013’s Sexiest Man Alive, Adam Levine & 2019’s Sexiest Man Alive, John Legend

Art Streiber/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, John Legend - The Voice

40of 54Tony Bennett and Jennifer LopezKevin Winter/Gettyand Lopez wasmarriedto …

40of 54

Tony Bennett and Jennifer Lopez

Kevin Winter/Getty

Jennifer Lopez and John Legend

and Lopez wasmarriedto …

41of 54

2002’s Sexiest Man Alive, Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez

42of 541997 & 2006’s Sexiest Man Alive, George ClooneyDavid M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImagewho starred inOcean’s Elevenwith …

42of 54

1997 & 2006’s Sexiest Man Alive, George Clooney

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage

Ben Affleck, George Clooney - The Tender Bar

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 …

43of 54

2007’s Sexiest Man Alive, Matt Damon

Shutterstock

George Clooney, Matt Damon - Ocean’s Eleven

(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 …

44of 54

2004’s Sexiest Man Alive, Jude Law

Phil Bray/Paramount/Miramax/Kobal/Shutterstock

Matt Damon, Jude Law - The Talented Mr Ripley

who was inAnna Kareninawith …

45of 54

Keira Knightley

Jude Law, Keira Knightley - Anna Karenina

who was inPirates of the Caribbeanwith …

46of 54

2003 & 2009’s Sexiest Man Alive, Johnny Depp

Keira Knightley, Johnny Depp - Pirates of the Caribbean

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

Helena Bonham Carter

Leah Gallo/Dreamworks/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

who played Ophelia in the 1990 movie version ofHamlet, starring …

48of 541985’s Sexiest Man Alive, Mel GibsonParamount/Kobal/Shutterstockwho was inLethal Weaponwith …

48of 54

1985’s Sexiest Man Alive, Mel Gibson

Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Helena Bonham Carter, Mel Gibson - Hamlet

who was inLethal Weaponwith …

49of 54…Danny GloverMary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett Collectionand Glover was inAngels in the Outfieldwith …

49of 54

…Danny Glover

Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection

Mel Gibson, Danny Glover - Lethal Weapon

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 …

50of 54

2005’s Sexiest Man Alive, Matthew McConaughey

Buena Vista Pictures/ Courtesy: Everett Collection; Inset: Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Danny Glover, Matthew McConaughey - Angels in the Outfield

who appeared inMagic Mikewith …

51of 54

2012’s Sexiest Man Alive, Channing Tatum

Matthew McConaughey, Channing Tatum - Magic Mike

who was in the 2013 movieThis Is The Endwith none other than …

52of 542021’s Sexiest Man Alive, Paul Rudd!Columbia Pictures

52of 54

2021’s Sexiest Man Alive, Paul Rudd!

Columbia Pictures

Paul Rudd, Channing Tatum - This Is The End

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.

53of 54

And if that wasn’t enough…

Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

Paul Rudd, Kevin Bacon - Staged Readings of Five One-Act Plays to Benefit The MCC Theater

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.

54of 54

And wait, there’s more…

Patrick Dempsey and Laura Linney.Don Arnold/WireImage; Roy Rochlin/Getty

Patrick Dempsey; Laura Linney

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