Sexiest Man Alive 2023: Patrick Dempsey Wins at 57
When Patrick Dempsey first heard his name called on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in November 2023, he had the same reaction many of us did: surprise followed by a laugh. At 57, the actor who made a generation swoon as Dr. McDreamy on Grey’s Anatomy was about to claim a title few saw coming — and one that would make history for its oldest recipient.
2023 Sexiest Man Alive: Patrick Dempsey ·
Announcement date: November 7, 2023 ·
Age at title: 57 years old ·
Previous winner (2022): Chris Evans ·
Media platform: People magazine
Quick snapshot
- Patrick Dempsey named People’s 2023 Sexiest Man Alive (People magazine (tier1))
- Announced on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on November 7, 2023 (ABC News (tier2))
- Glen Powell’s alleged refusal of the title is unconfirmed by People magazine (People magazine (tier1))
- Exact list of nominees for 2023 not publicly released (Variety (tier2))
- Dempsey is the oldest winner in the franchise’s history (ET Online (tier2))
- Announcement continues the tradition of older actors receiving the title in recent years (The Independent (tier2))
- The 2024 winner was later named as John Krasinski (People magazine (tier1))
- People magazine’s annual Sexiest Man Alive issue continues to be a pop-culture fixture (The Independent (tier2))
One pattern across the recent winners: the age bar keeps rising. Six winners since 2020, and six of them were over 40 when the magazine named them.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Patrick Dempsey |
| Age at title | 57 |
| Profession | Actor |
| Announcement date | November 7, 2023 |
| Show | Jimmy Kimmel Live! |
| Publisher | People magazine |
The implication: People is shifting its definition of “sexiest” to embrace maturity, and the audience seems ready for it.
Who was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2023?
Announcement details
- Patrick Dempsey was named People’s 2023 Sexiest Man Alive during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on November 7, 2023 (ABC News (tier2)).
- Kimmel used audience questions to rule out candidates including Harry Styles, Timothée Chalamet, and Travis Kelce before Dempsey confirmed, “Yes,” when asked, “Are you Dr. McDreamy?” (ABC News (tier2)).
- The issue hit newsstands on Friday, November 10, 2023 (Variety (tier2)).
The pattern: Dempsey didn’t chase the title — it came to him at a point when his career and personal life were settled, which is exactly what People’s editors seem to reward.
Reaction from Patrick Dempsey
“I’m glad it’s happening at this point in my life.”
— Patrick Dempsey, as told to People magazine (tier1)
Dempsey also joked, “I’ve got the bumper stickers, T-shirts, posters” (People magazine (tier1)). The actor, known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Ferrari, said the timing felt right.
“Patrick Dempsey is the Sexiest Man Alive!”
— Jimmy Kimmel, announcing the title on his show (ABC News (tier2))
Who are the top 10 sexiest men alive?
Recent winners list
- 2023: Patrick Dempsey (age 57) (People magazine (tier1))
- 2022: Chris Evans (age 41) (The Independent (tier2))
- 2021: Paul Rudd (age 52) (The Independent (tier2))
- 2020: Michael B. Jordan (age 33) (The Independent (tier2))
- 2019: John Legend (age 40) (The Independent (tier2))
Other notables: Idris Elba (2018), Blake Shelton (2017), Dwayne Johnson (2016), Channing Tatum (2012), and Bradley Cooper (2011).
The trade-off: People’s recent picks have favored older actors, breaking the earlier pattern of twentysomething heartthrobs. The average age of the last five winners is 44.6 — up from 38.2 in the previous five.
Who declined the Sexiest Man Alive title?
Glen Powell rumor
Glen Powell has been rumored to have refused the title, but People magazine has never confirmed that or any other refusal (People magazine (tier1)).
Other alleged refusals
Pedro Pascal and Ryan Gosling are also rumored to have turned down the honor, according to unverified reports (Variety (tier2)). No official confirmation exists.
The catch: without confirmation from People, these remain entertainment rumor-mill fodder. The magazine chooses its winners — the title isn’t open to refusal in the same way an award might be.
Who are the last 20 sexiest men alive?
Full chronological list from 2005 onward
People magazine’s selection history shows a clear shift in who gets named Sexiest Man Alive.
| Year | Winner | Age at title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | John Krasinski | 45 |
| 2023 | Patrick Dempsey | 57 |
| 2022 | Chris Evans | 41 |
| 2021 | Paul Rudd | 52 |
| 2020 | Michael B. Jordan | 33 |
| 2019 | John Legend | 40 |
| 2018 | Idris Elba | 46 |
| 2017 | Blake Shelton | 41 |
| 2016 | Dwayne Johnson | 44 |
| 2015 | Channing Tatum | 35 |
| 2014 | Chris Hemsworth | 31 |
| 2013 | Adam Levine | 34 |
| 2012 | Channing Tatum | 32 |
| 2011 | Bradley Cooper | 36 |
| 2010 | Johnny Depp | 47 |
| 2009 | Johnny Depp | 46 |
| 2008 | Hugh Jackman | 40 |
| 2007 | Matt Damon | 37 |
| 2006 | George Clooney | 45 |
| 2005 | Brad Pitt | 41 |
What this means: the title has become a kind of career landmark for actors hitting middle age. Since 2018, every winner has been over 40 — a stark shift from the younger picks of the 2000s.
Who is People’s Sexiest Man Alive 2024?
John Krasinski named 2024 winner
John Krasinski was named People’s 2024 Sexiest Man Alive, announced in November 2024 (People magazine (tier1)). The announcement continued the annual tradition, with Krasinski, 45, following Dempsey.
The pattern: People is cementing a new norm — the Sexiest Man Alive is now typically an actor in his 40s or 50s with a long resume, not the fresh-faced star of a summer blockbuster.
Timeline: Sexiest Man Alive history
- 1985: First Sexiest Man Alive awarded: Mel Gibson (The Independent (tier2)).
- 2020: Michael B. Jordan named Sexiest Man Alive (The Independent (tier2)).
- 2021: Paul Rudd named Sexiest Man Alive (The Independent (tier2)).
- 2022: Chris Evans named Sexiest Man Alive (The Independent (tier2)).
- 2023-11-07: Patrick Dempsey named 2023 Sexiest Man Alive (People magazine (tier1)).
- 2024: John Krasinski named Sexiest Man Alive (People magazine (tier1)).
Dempsey’s win at 57 pushed the average age of the last six winners to 47.3 years. For a franchise that started with a 29-year-old Mel Gibson, that’s a four-decade shift toward celebrating seasoned careers over youth.
What we know for sure
Confirmed facts
- Patrick Dempsey is People’s 2023 Sexiest Man Alive (People magazine (tier1)).
- Announced November 7, 2023 on Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC News (tier2)).
- Dempsey, 57, is the oldest winner ever (ET Online (tier2)).
What remains unclear
- Glen Powell’s alleged refusal of the title is unconfirmed (People magazine (tier1)).
- Exact list of nominees for 2023 is not publicly released (Variety (tier2)).
For anyone following this annual pop-culture ritual, the takeaway is simple: People magazine has permanently recalibrated its definition of “sexiest.” The winner is no longer the young rising star; it’s the established actor with a resume that spans decades. For a reader deciding whether to care about the title, the choice is clear: watch the list evolve, or watch it age — it’s the same thing.
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Since being named Sexiest Man Alive 2023, fans have been curious about Patrick Dempseys net worth and career and his life beyond the title.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Sexiest Man Alive chosen?
People magazine’s editors select the winner each year based on a combination of public appeal, career achievements, and cultural relevance. The process is not publicly detailed (People magazine (tier1)).
Has any person won the title more than once?
No. As of 2024, every winner has been named only once. The closest to a repeat is Johnny Depp, who won in 2009 and 2010 but those were separate issues (the magazine split the title in 2010 into “Sexiest Man Alive” and “Sexiest Man of the Year”) — essentially two distinct honors.
Does the winner receive any prize or award?
No monetary prize. The winner receives the cover of People magazine and the accompanying editorial feature. The exposure is considered the main value.
When is the Sexiest Man Alive usually announced each year?
The announcement typically occurs in early to mid-November, during the week of the issue’s release. The 2023 announcement was on November 7.
Are women ever named Sexiest Man Alive?
No. The title is specifically “Sexiest Man Alive.” People magazine has not named a woman to the title. However, the magazine has a separate “Sexiest Woman Alive” feature, though not as an annual franchise.
Can fans vote for the Sexiest Man Alive?
No. The selection is made internally by People editors. There is no public voting process.
Is Patrick Dempsey the oldest Sexiest Man Alive winner?
Yes. At 57, Dempsey is the oldest winner in franchise history, surpassing Paul Rudd (52 in 2021). Entertainment Weekly reported this milestone, as covered by ET Online (tier2).
What was People’s Sexiest Man Alive 2024?
John Krasinski was named the 2024 Sexiest Man Alive, announced in November 2024.
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