The Definitive List: People's Sexiest Man Alive Winners By Year (1985–2025) And Their Historic Wins
Every year, the world waits with bated breath for *People* magazine to announce its choice for the Sexiest Man Alive. This highly coveted title, which began in 1985, is more than just a nod to physical attractiveness; it’s a cultural barometer, celebrating a star’s career momentum, charm, humanitarian efforts, and overall impact on the zeitgeist. As of December 23, 2025, the latest honoree has made history, adding a new layer of significance to the award’s 40-year legacy.
The selection process always sparks debate, but the resulting list of winners is a fascinating time capsule of Hollywood’s most compelling leading men. From inaugural winner Mel Gibson to the most recent, groundbreaking choice, the Sexiest Man Alive is a star who defines the year. Here is the definitive, complete list of winners and a deep dive into the historic significance of the most recent honorees.
The Complete Chronological List of People's Sexiest Man Alive (1985–2025)
Since its inception in 1985, the title of People’s Sexiest Man Alive has been granted to 37 different men, with four of those men receiving the honor twice. The list below details every winner, year by year, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of "sexy" in pop culture.
- 1985: Mel Gibson
- 1986: Mark Harmon
- 1987: Harry Hamlin
- 1988: John F. Kennedy Jr. (The only non-actor to receive the title)
- 1989: Sean Connery (The oldest winner at 59)
- 1990: Tom Cruise
- 1991: Patrick Swayze
- 1992: Nick Nolte
- 1993: Richard Gere (Part of the "Sexiest Couple Alive" with Cindy Crawford)
- 1994: No award was given. (Note: Keanu Reeves was retroactively named the 1994 winner in 2015.)
- 1995: Brad Pitt (First time winner)
- 1996: Denzel Washington
- 1997: George Clooney (First time winner)
- 1998: Harrison Ford
- 1999: Richard Gere (Second time winner)
- 2000: Brad Pitt (Second time winner)
- 2001: Pierce Brosnan
- 2002: Ben Affleck
- 2003: Johnny Depp (First time winner)
- 2004: Jude Law
- 2005: Matthew McConaughey
- 2006: George Clooney (Second time winner)
- 2007: Matt Damon
- 2008: Hugh Jackman
- 2009: Johnny Depp (Second time winner)
- 2010: Ryan Reynolds
- 2011: Bradley Cooper
- 2012: Channing Tatum
- 2013: Adam Levine (The first musician to receive the title since the 1980s)
- 2014: Chris Hemsworth
- 2015: David Beckham
- 2016: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
- 2017: Blake Shelton
- 2018: Idris Elba
- 2019: John Legend
- 2020: Michael B. Jordan
- 2021: Paul Rudd
- 2022: Chris Evans
- 2023: Patrick Dempsey
- 2024: John Krasinski
- 2025: Jonathan Bailey (Most recent winner)
The Most Recent Honorees and Their Cultural Impact
The last few years of the Sexiest Man Alive title have reflected a shift towards celebrating men who embody kindness, humility, and a strong public presence, alongside their talent. This modern interpretation of "sexy" emphasizes character as much as looks, providing a more well-rounded view of the honorees.
Jonathan Bailey (2025): A Historic First
The announcement of Jonathan Bailey as the 2025 Sexiest Man Alive marked a significant and historic moment for the magazine and the LGBTQ+ community. Bailey, best known for his breakout role as Anthony Bridgerton in the Netflix series *Bridgerton* and his highly anticipated role in the film adaptation of *Wicked*, is the first openly gay man to be featured as the cover star.
His selection was seen as a powerful affirmation of modern sexuality and representation in mainstream media. Bailey’s charm, wit, and vulnerability, both on and off-screen, resonated deeply with audiences, solidifying his status as a global heartthrob and a cultural icon for a new generation.
Patrick Dempsey (2023): The Return of Dr. McDreamy
In 2023, the title went to veteran actor Patrick Dempsey, a choice that delighted fans who have followed his career since his 1980s rom-com days up to his iconic role as Dr. Derek Shepherd (a.k.a. "McDreamy") on *Grey's Anatomy*.
Dempsey, who was 57 at the time of the announcement, was celebrated not just for his enduring good looks but also for his passion for auto racing and his starring role in the high-profile film *Ferrari*. He took the honor with characteristic humility, stating he was glad it was happening at that point in his life, giving a nod to the wisdom and experience that comes with age.
Chris Evans (2022): Humility and Heroism
The 2022 winner, Chris Evans, was a popular choice, largely due to his universal appeal as Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, the magazine highlighted his quiet confidence, deep love for his family and his dog Dodger, and his work as a Twitter politico.
Evans’ reaction to the news was a blend of embarrassment and humor, noting that his mother would be the one who truly enjoyed the bragging rights. His selection emphasized that true sexiness includes a genuine, down-to-earth personality and a good heart.
Fascinating Facts and LSI Keywords: The Sexiest Man Alive Trivia
The history of the Sexiest Man Alive title is filled with interesting trivia and unique occurrences that add to the award's mystique and topical authority. These facts showcase the award's evolution over the decades.
- Multiple Winners: Only four men have won the title twice: Richard Gere (1993, 1999), Brad Pitt (1995, 2000), George Clooney (1997, 2006), and Johnny Depp (2003, 2009).
- The Oldest Winner: Sean Connery holds the record for the oldest recipient, winning the title in 1989 at the age of 59.
- The Youngest Winner: John F. Kennedy Jr. was the youngest winner, receiving the honor in 1988 at the age of 27.
- The "Missing" Year: No man was named Sexiest Man Alive in 1994. However, in 2015, *People* magazine retroactively declared Keanu Reeves to be the winner for that year, a choice that was met with widespread approval from fans.
- The Sexiest Couple Alive: In 1993, the magazine temporarily changed the title to "Sexiest Couple Alive" and awarded it to Richard Gere and his then-wife, supermodel Cindy Crawford.
- The Non-Actor: John F. Kennedy Jr. is the only person on the list who was not a professional actor, being a lawyer, journalist, and magazine publisher.
The Sexiest Man Alive list is more than just a roll call of handsome faces; it’s a reflection of the qualities—from talent and charisma to kindness and cultural influence—that society values in its leading men. As the list continues to grow, each new addition, especially trailblazers like Jonathan Bailey, ensures the title remains a relevant and eagerly anticipated annual event.
Detail Author:
- Name : Geovanny Heller II
- Username : mohara
- Email : alize.mclaughlin@feest.org
- Birthdate : 1972-12-05
- Address : 632 Romaine Wall Suite 840 East Katheryn, AL 72925-8786
- Phone : +1 (754) 789-0613
- Company : Herzog PLC
- Job : Eligibility Interviewer
- Bio : Placeat libero sunt odit facere impedit. Veritatis sed et iure pariatur. Est tempore dolorem ex vel dolores.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/towne2013
- username : towne2013
- bio : Placeat quo aliquid exercitationem molestiae. Possimus inventore aut qui suscipit modi architecto. Amet eveniet perspiciatis autem natus distinctio.
- followers : 3861
- following : 2443
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/katelyn_xx
- username : katelyn_xx
- bio : Est possimus tempora qui qui molestiae a in.
- followers : 172
- following : 1828
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/katelyntowne
- username : katelyntowne
- bio : Et est sequi natus. Molestiae cum rerum et dolore quibusdam possimus.
- followers : 4779
- following : 1420
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/katelyn.towne
- username : katelyn.towne
- bio : Et neque ducimus aut ea sint consequatur ut. Nulla deleniti pariatur quia totam quo qui.
- followers : 1867
- following : 771
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@katelyn4532
- username : katelyn4532
- bio : Vel eum quo aut fuga. Laborum quo cupiditate quasi minus quaerat illo.
- followers : 1310
- following : 2259
