2023: Patrick Dempsey

Patrick Dempsey starred as Derek Shepherd, aka “McDreamy”, for 11 seasons on Grey’s Anatomy. The role drew a passionate following, including many supporters of his character’s will-they-won’t-they relationship with Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo.

The actor founded The Dempsey Centre to make comprehensive cancer treatment more accessible.

2022: Chris Evans

He has also starred in celebrated films such as Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Snowpiercer and Knives Out.

2021: Paul Rudd

Paul Rudd’s breakthrough role came in 1995, starring opposite Alicia Silverstone in the popular coming-of-age drama Clueless. More recently, Rudd is widely known for his role as Ant-Man in the MCU, as well as the critically acclaimed Netflix original series Living With Yourself. He also famously played Phoebe Buffay’s husband Mike on Friends.

The 52-year-old actor said his wife was “stupefied” when he received People’s coveted crown.

2020: Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan is the fifth man of colour to receive People’s honour.

He first rose to fame playing quarterback Vince Howard on NBC’s Friday Night Lights, but his Hollywood breakthrough came in 2013 when he starred in Ryan Coogler’s directorial debut, Fruitvale Station.

Jordan has also made his name as a passionate activist and marched in Black Lives Matter protests during the summer of 2020. At 33, he described his Sexiest Man Alive title as “a cool feeling”.

2019: John Legend

The “All of Me” singer has released five critically renowned R&B albums, two of which have been certified platinum. His Sexiest Man Alive title came shortly after the release of A Legendary Christmas Deluxe, the deluxe edition of his sixth studio album and first Christmas album.

2018: Idris Elba

Idris Elba rose to fame for his role as Baltimore drug kingpin Stringer Bell on HBO’s The Wire in the early 2000s.

The actor also appeared in multiple Marvel Cinematic Universe films as the keeper of the Asgardian bridge, Heimdall. There has even been a fan-fuelled campaign to crown him as the next James Bond.

2017: Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton is the second musician ever to be given People’s highest honour. The decision to pick Shelton, however, did not go over well.

One person quipped: “I don’t think he’s even the sexiest man named Blake Shelton.”

Still, Shelton’s love life hasn’t seemed to suffer since receiving his Sexiest Man moniker. He and singer Gwen Stefani wed in 2021.

2016: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Former professional wrestler and current actor Dwayne Johnson became the second man of colour to be named Sexiest Man Alive after his celebrated voice-over role in Moana.

2015: David Beckham

2014: Chris Hemsworth

2013: Adam Levine

Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine became the first musician and second non actor – out of only five total – to grace People’s Sexiest Man Alive cover.

Levine made headlines in 2022 after Instagram model Sumner Stroh came forward and said that she’d had an affair with the singer.

Levine denied having an affair with Stroh but admitted that he had “crossed the line”.

2012: Channing Tatum

2011: Bradley Cooper

“I think it’s really cool that a guy who doesn’t look like a model can have this,” Bradley Cooper told People after he was named Sexiest Man Alive.

“I think I’m a decent-looking guy. Sometimes I can look great, and other times I look horrifying,” the Hangover star said.

2010: Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds’ role in Green Lantern – and his self-deprecating humour – no doubt helped him become the first Canadian Sexiest Man Alive back in 2010.

“The most difficult part is going to be organically working this title into a conversation with random strangers,” he told the magazine.

2009: Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp landed his second cover hot on the heels of his role in Alice in Wonderland.

2008: Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman was named Sexiest Man Alive after his turn as Wolverine in X-Men: The Last Stand.

2007: Matt Damon

Matt Damon was given the title after his third Bourne movie rocked the box office.

2006: George Clooney

George Clooney became the third man, after Pitt and Gere, to win People’s honour twice.

2005: Matthew McConaughey

2004: Jude Law

Jude Law scored People’s most famous cover in the early 2000s.

“He’s the most beautiful man who ever walked the earth – an absolutely perfect oil painting,” Naomi Watts told People in 2004.

2003: Johnny Depp

In 2003, Depp had charmed the world as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.

He was since embroiled in controversy thanks to his infamous defamation trial with ex-wife Amber Heard, but seems to have made a comeback with his endorsement deal with Dior and role in Jeanne du Barry.

2002: Ben Affleck

The world couldn’t stop talking about Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez in 2002.

“Chicks gravitate to him,” Affleck’s friend Kevin Smith, a director, told People at the time. “The word on the street is that he’s the ideal man, chatty, gorgeous, generous and intelligent.”

2001: Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan was known as James Bond when he landed on People’s coveted cover.

2000: Brad Pitt

1999: Richard Gere

When Richard Gere was named the Sexiest Man Alive in 1999, his ex-girlfriend Diane Von Furstenberg spoke glowingly of the decision.

“He walked like a biker, and that attracted me,” she told People. “I knew I was going to get my hands on him.”

1998: Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford’s 1998 cover recognised his role as a blockbuster heartthrob thanks to Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

1997: George Clooney

Clooney secured his first Sexiest Man title while portraying the brooding Dr. Doug Ross on ER.

1996: Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington became the first man of colour – and the first of only five total – to grace the Sexiest Man Alive cover.

1995: Brad Pitt

A long-haired Pitt made the 1995 People cover after his much-celebrated starring roles in Legends of the Fall and Interview With the Vampire.

1994: Keanu Reeves (retroactively)

Keanu Reeves never technically scored a cover; People never selected a Sexiest Man Alive in 1994.

But the magazine’s editorial director retroactively bestowed the Speed star with People’s honour in 2015.

1993: Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford

1992: Nick Nolte

In 1992, People explained The Prince of Tides actor Nick Nolte’s appeal as his being a “big-lug Adonis with the heart of gold”.

1991: Patrick Swayze

In 1991, Patrick Swayze had become one of Hollywood’s favourite leading men thanks to Dirty Dancing and Ghost. The actor died in 2009.

1990: Tom Cruise

By 1990, Tom Cruise had already starred in a string of blockbusters, including Top Gun, Risky Business, Rain Man, Cocktail and All the Right Moves.

1989: Sean Connery

Sean Connery was 59 when he scored the coveted cover, making him the oldest Sexiest Man Alive to date.

1988: John F. Kennedy Jr.

1987: Harry Hamlin

Harry Hamlin made the cover during his five-year stint on the NBC legal drama L.A. Law as lawyer Michael Kuzak.

The Clash of the Titans actor is now married to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Rinna.

1986: Mark Harmon

Mark Harmon received the second annual honour – largely thanks to his starring roles on two hit shows, St. Elsewhere and Moonlighting.

1985: Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson was named People’s first-ever Sexiest Man Alive after his star-making turn in the original Mad Max trilogy.

In the years since, Gibson has become a controversial figure thanks to rampant antisemitism, racist rants and a recording of him making a death threat against his ex-girlfriend.