This is every 'Sexiest Man Alive' winner since 1985
People magazine has been naming a "Sexiest Man Alive" each year since 1985. Here's a look at every winner, including the latestΒ β Patrick Dempsey.
1985: Mel Gibson
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In 1985, Mel Gibson was named as People magazine's first "sexiest man alive." He's shown here at the 40th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 11, 1987.
1986: Mark Harmon
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Mark Harmon, 1986's "sexiest man alive" according to People magazine, is shown here with Pam Dawber at the Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 31, 1987.Β
1987: Harry Hamlin
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Harry Hamlin was named the 1987 "sexiest man alive" by People magazine. He's shown here with Laura Johnson at the 1987 Emmy Awards.
1988: John F. Kennedy, Jr.
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John F. Kennedy, Jr. was chosen as People's 1988 "sexiest man alive." He's shown here as guest on a talk show at WVOX radio in New Rochelle May 16, 1989.
1989: Sean Connery
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Sean Connery was named 1989's "sexiest man alive." At age 59, he is People magazine's oldest choice for the designation.
He's shown here discussing an upcoming scene with director Fred Schepisi and Michelle Pfeiffer during a break in filming in Moscow of "The Russian House," based on the spy novel by John Le Carre, Oct. 13, 1989.
1990: Tom Cruise
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Tom Cruise was chosen as People's 1990 "sexiest man alive." He's shown here with Michelle Pfeiffer at the 47th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., Jan. 21, 1990.Β
1991: Patrick Swayze
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Patrick Swayze, 1991's "sexiest man alive," is shown here with singer Mariah Carey on the set of Saturday Night Live during rehearsal Thursday, Oct. 25, 1990.
1992: Nick Nolte
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Nick Nolte was chosen as 1992's "sexiest man alive" by People magazine. He's shown here with Thandie Newton, left and Greta Scacchi, second left, at the festival Palace in Cannes, French Riviera on Saturday May 20, 1995.
1993: Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford
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People magazine changed it up in 1993 and awarded a "sexiest couple alive" rather than "sexiest man alive." The honor went to Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford, who are shown here as they enter Lincoln Center in New York on May 2, 1994 for the 1994 Humanitarian Award from T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer, and AIDS Research.
1994: Keanu Reeves
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People magazine originally did not choose a "sexiest man alive" in 2004. However, the magazine retroactively awarded the honor to Keanu Reeves in 2015.
1995: Brad Pitt
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Brad Pitt was named 1995's "sexiest man alive" by People magazine. He's shown here with the award he received for best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a motion picture for "12 Monkeys" at the Golden Globe Awards, Sunday, Jan. 21, 1996.Β
1996: Denzel Washington
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Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington laughs as he watches a group of Harvard University students spoof a scene from one of his movies Saturday, Feb. 24, 1996. Washington was named People magazine's "sexiest man alive" for that year.
1997: George Clooney
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George Clooney and girlfriend Celine Balitran are cheered by the crowd as they arrive at the world premiere of Β "Batman & Robin," Thursday, June 12, 1997. Clooney was chosen as People magazine's "sexiest man alive" that year. He received the honor for a second time in 2009.Β
1998: Harrison Ford
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"Six Days, Seven Nights" stars Anne Heche and Harrison Ford pose together at the premiere of the film, Monday, June 8, 1998, in the Westwood section of Los Angeles. Harrison was chosen as the "sexiest man alive" by People magazine for 1998.
1999: Richard Gere
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Actor Richard Gere shows his hands to the crowd after putting them in wet concrete Monday, July 26, 1999 in front of the Mann's Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. The star of "Pretty Woman," "An Officer and a Gentleman," and "American Gigolo" was chosen as 1999's "sexiest man alive" by People magazine. It was his second time receiving the honor.
2000: Brad Pitt
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Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt arrive at the 52nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000. Pitt was chosen as that year's "sexiest man alive" by People magazine.
2001: Pierce Brosnan
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Actor Pierce Brosnan speaks at a news conference Thursday, April 26, 2001, in Santa Monica, Calif. Brosnan was chosen as People's "sexiest man alive" for 2001.Β
2002: Ben Affleck
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Actor Ben Affleck, left, is joined by his co-star from the film "The Sum of All Fears" Bridget Moynahan as they pose for photographers after arriving at the MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles, Saturday, June 1, 2002. Affleck was chosen as People's "sexiest man alive" for 2002.
2003: Johnny Depp
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Actor Johnny Depp poses for a portrait June 21, 2003, in Los Angeles. Depp was named People's "sexiest man alive" for 2003. He would later receive the honor for a second time in 2009.
2004: Jude Law
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British actor Jude Law, nominated for best actor in a drama for his work in "Cold Mountain," arrives for the 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Law was named People's "sexiest man alive" for 2004.
2005: Matthew McConaughey
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Actor Matthew McConaughey arrives at the premiere of "Two for the Money" in Los Angeles, Monday, Sept. 26, 2005. He was named People's "sexiest man alive" for 2005.
2006: George Clooney
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Actor George Clooney wears a crown and "Sexiest Man Alive" sash presented to him by NBC "Today" television show co-host Matt Lauer, during the taping of an interview, in New York, Friday Dec. 1, 2006. Clooney was promoting his new movie "The Good German."
2007: Matt Damon
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Actor Matt Damon arrives to the premiere of "The Bourne Ultimatum" in Los Angeles, in this, July 25, 2007, file photo. Damon was named the 2007 "sexiest man alive" by People magazine. Damon said the honor came as a surprise.Β
2008: Hugh Jackman
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Actor Hugh Jackman presents during the CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute awards show, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. He was named People's "Sexiest Man Alive" for 2008.
2009: Johnny Depp
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In this Nov. 17, 2009 file photo, actor Johnny Depp attends The Museum of Modern Art's film benefit tribute to Tim Burton in New York. Depp was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009.Β
2010: Ryan Reynolds
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Ryan Reynolds arrives during the 82nd Academy Awards Sunday, March 7, 2010, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Reynolds was chosen as People Magazine's 2010 "Sexiest Man Alive."
2011: Bradley Cooper
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In this Sept. 6, 2011 file photo, actor Bradley Cooper arrives for the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London. Cooper was named People Magazine's sexiest man alive for 2011.Β
2012: Channing Tatum
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People Magazine named Channing Tatum, star of films such as "21 Jump Street" and "Magic Mike," the Sexiest Man Alive in November 2012.
2013: Adam Levine
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In this Feb. 7, 2013 file photo, recording artist Adam Levine attends the launch of "Adam Levine Signature Fragrances" at Macy's Westfield Century City, in Century City, Calif. Levine was named Sexiest Man Alive 2013 by People magazine announced Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013. He is a coach on the NBC's hit series, "The Voice."
2014: Chris Hemsworth
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In this July 26, 2014 file photo, Chris Hemsworth attends the Marvel press line at Comic-Con International in San Diego. People magazine named Chris Hemsworth the βSexiest Man Aliveβ of 2014, cheering the Australian actorβs rise as hammer-wielding, bona fide hunk in the βThorβ films.
2015: David Beckham
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In this Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, file photo, David Beckham poses for photographers upon arrival at the Pride of Britain Awards 2015 in London. Despite his nearly two decades as an international sex symbol, British soccer star Beckham said he's still flattered to be named People magazine's 30th-anniversary Sexiest Man Alive.Β
2016: Dwayne Johnson
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In this June 10, 2016 file photo, Dwayne Johnson attends the premiere of his film, "Central Intelligence" in Los Angeles. Johnson was named "Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine on Nov. 15, 2016.Β
2017: Blake Shelton
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FILE - This June 7, 2016 file photo shows Blake Shelton performing at the 12th Annual Stars for Second Harvest Benefit at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. Shelton was named as People magazine's 2017 "Sexiest Man Alive."
2018: Idris Elba
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In this Jan. 21, 2018, file photo, actor-director Idris Elba poses for a portrait to promote his film "Yardie" at the Music Lodge during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. On Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, Elba was named Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine.
2019: John Legend
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This Feb. 24, 2019 file photo shows John Legend at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif. People magazine has named Legend as the sexiest man alive in their special double issue on newsstands nationwide on Nov. 15.
2020: Michael B. Jordan
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Michael B. Jordan has been crowned as 2020's Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine. Known for his critically-acclaimed performances in "Fruitvale Station," "Creed" and "Black Panther," he was revealed as this year's winner Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
2021: Paul Rudd
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Actor Paul Rudd poses for a portrait during press day for "Ant-Man and The Wasp" at The Langham Huntington on Sunday, June 24, 2018, in Pasadena, Calif. Rudd has been crowned as 2021βs Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine. Rudd, known for his starring roles in Marvelβs βAnt-Manβ films, βThis is 40β and the cult classic βClueless,β was revealed as this yearβs winner Tuesday night, Nov. 9, 2021, on CBSβ "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.βΒ
2022: Chris Evans
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Chris Evans may have put down Captain America's shield but he's got a new badge of honor: he's been named People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.
2023: Patrick Dempsey
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Patrick DempseyΒ
2024: John Krasinski
John Krasinski was named 2024's Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine. He's shown here at the UK Premiere of the film 'IF' in London, May 7, 2024.
2025: Jonathan Bailey
βWickedβ star Jonathan Bailey is People magazineβs Sexiest Man Alive for 2025. He's shown here at the premiere of the film "Wicked" on Nov. 18, 2024, in London.
As featured on
"You know, everybody always made that joke, like, 'Mike, this is the one thing you're probably not going to get,'" Jordan said. "But it's a good club to be a part of."
People's annual "Sexiest Man Alive" issue was released last week. Also included on the list was Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dwayne Johnson, Paul Mescal, Maluma, Chris Rock, Paul Rudd, Dan Levy and more.
Johnson admitted he isn't sure if he has "the patience" for the role, but he was flattered to discover that 46 percent of Americans would back him for the White House.
