In the mid-eighties, a group of editors sat in a wood-paneled office in Manhattan, probably nursing lukewarm coffee, staring at a photo of a young Australian actor. He had wild hair and eyes that seemed to look right through the lens. Someone—legend says it was photo editor Mary Dunn—just blurted it out: "He's the sexiest man alive."
And like that, a franchise was born. But honestly? It was basically an accident.
When people talk about the history of Sexiest Man Alive, they usually picture a highly scientific process involving focus groups and spreadsheets. They think it's some sort of definitive global ranking. It isn't. It’s a chaotic, subjective, and sometimes hilariously controversial look at who is "having a moment."
The Mel Gibson Glitch
The first winner wasn't even part of a plan. In 1985, People magazine was actually doing a profile on Mel Gibson for his role in Mad Max. The phrase "Sexiest Man Alive" was just a catchy caption that stuck.
Gibson himself didn't even like it. He famously joked that the title implied there were a bunch of dead guys who were actually hotter than him but had been disqualified on a technicality.
For the first few years, the magazine didn't even have a set schedule. They’d just drop the title whenever they felt like it. Mark Harmon got it in 1986. Harry Hamlin followed in ’87. It was all very "rugged 80s heartthrob" for a while.
Then came 1988, and things got weird.
The JFK Jr. Exception
John F. Kennedy Jr. remains the only winner who wasn't a traditional entertainer. He was 27. He was American royalty. He was, by all accounts, exceptionally handsome.
But his win signaled a shift. The title wasn't just about acting; it was about power and prestige. It was about being the guy everyone was whispering about at dinner parties.
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The Year They Just... Quit
You'd think once you have a hit franchise, you'd never stop. But in 1994, the editors basically looked around and said, "Meh."
They didn't name anyone.
Looking back, it was a bizarre move. This was the year of Speed and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Keanu Reeves was right there! Hugh Grant was peaking!
Decades later, in a fit of nostalgia and perhaps regret, the magazine retroactively "awarded" the 1994 title to Keanu Reeves. It felt a bit like a makeup exam, but fans finally got the closure they didn't know they needed.
Double Trouble and The Repeaters
Winning once is a flex. Winning twice is a legacy.
- Richard Gere (1993 as part of a couple, 1999 solo)
- Brad Pitt (1995 and 2000)
- George Clooney (1997 and 2006)
- Johnny Depp (2003 and 2009)
The "Clooney Era" was particularly influential because George leaned into it. He treated the title like a political campaign, joking about it in interviews and making it part of his brand. He turned a cheesy magazine cover into a badge of "cool."
Why the Internet Gets So Mad
Every November, social media descends into a state of absolute war. You’ve seen the tweets. "How is [Actor X] sexiest when [Actor Y] exists?!"
The controversy is usually built-in. When Blake Shelton won in 2017, the internet almost collapsed. People were genuinely confused. But that's the thing—the history of Sexiest Man Alive isn't about objective beauty.
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It's about the "Get."
Behind the scenes, the magazine needs the celebrity to agree to an interview and a photo shoot. If the biggest star in the world says "no," they move down the list. This explains why some winners feel a little... random.
It also explains the "Dad Bod" era or the "Funny Guy" era. Recently, we’ve seen a pivot toward guys like Paul Rudd (2021) and John Krasinski (2024). These aren't just "pretty" men; they’re "approachable" men. They’re the guys you’d want to grab a beer with, not just the guys you’d stare at in a gallery.
Breaking the Mold: The 2020s Shift
The 40th anniversary in 2025 brought us Jonathan Bailey.
This was a massive moment in the title's history. Bailey, the Bridgerton star, became the first openly gay man to grace the cover as the sole winner. It signaled that the magazine was finally moving past the "traditional 1950s leading man" archetype.
We’ve also seen more diversity in the last decade. For a long time, Denzel Washington (1996) stood alone as the only man of color on the list. That stayed true for nearly twenty years until Dwayne Johnson won in 2016, followed by Idris Elba, John Legend, and Michael B. Jordan.
The Criteria (Sorta)
If you’re wondering how to win, the "rules" are basically vibes.
- You have to be "hot" in the current cultural zeitgeist.
- You have to be nice (or have a very good PR team).
- You have to be willing to play along.
If a star acts too "cool" for the title, they rarely get it. The magazine loves the "Who, me? No way!" reaction. It makes the celebrity feel human.
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The Impact on Careers
Does winning actually help?
Honestly, for someone like Patrick Dempsey (2023), it was a victory lap for a long, respected career. For a rising star, it can be a rocket ship. It changes the way producers see you. You go from "that guy in the show" to "The Sexiest Man Alive."
That title follows you for the rest of your life. Every time these guys are introduced on a talk show, the host brings it up. It’s the ultimate "icebreaker" that never goes away.
What You Should Keep in Mind
Next time the announcement drops and you find yourself yelling at your phone because your favorite actor was snubbed, remember the history. This is a business. It’s a marketing machine.
It’s also a time capsule.
Looking at the list of winners is like looking at a map of what society valued in any given year. 1985 wanted rugged Australians. 1999 wanted sophisticated silver foxes. 2021 wanted the funny guy next door.
Next Steps for the Obsessed Fan:
- Check the back issues: If you can find a physical copy of the 1989 Sean Connery issue (he won at 59!), it’s a masterclass in how "sexy" doesn't have an expiration date.
- Track the "Snubbed" list: Every year, People releases a "ones to watch" or "men of the year" list alongside the winner. Most future winners appear there first.
- Watch the campaign: Keep an eye on talk show appearances in October. If an actor is suddenly everywhere being charming and "humble," they’re likely in the final running for the November cover.