“He’s so sexy! He’s the sexiest man alive!” “Totes McGoats!” People Magazine has been naming the sexiest man of the year since 1985. This week they announced that Idris Elba, the greatest British export in history as the sexiest man of the year.
But what about past winners? Have they held up? We all know superheroes are sexy, but what about past winners who have also been in comic book movies? Let’s find out as we rank the winners of People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” winners from mug shots to Oscar monologues. Will your favorite hit the top of the list?
15. Nick Nolte
Year: 1992
Age: 78 (Awarded age 51)
In 1992 Nolte was handsome blonde and fit. He was called “Strong, sensitive and squared-away at last, he’s a man’s man that women can’t resist.”. He’d starred in the critically acclaimed comedy 48 Hours. He’s been nominated for three Academy Awards. Nolte was at the top of his game. This is long before his 2002 DUI arrest and epic mug shot.
He’s on the list for playing Hulk’s father David Banner / The Absorbing Man in the Ang Lee Hulk movie.
14. Keanu Reeves
Year: 1994
Age: 54 (Awarded age 30)
Keanu Reeves is famous for The Matrix and other films. With his vaguely Asian features and brooding style, he’s achieved a large following as a sexy leading man. But in 2005 he starred in the box office flop Constantine based on DC Comics’ “Hellblazer” comic book. 1994 is the only year that a “Sexiest Man” award wasn’t given out and it was retroactively given to Reeves on November 18, 2015.
13. Harrison Ford
Year: 1998
Age: 76 (Awarded age 56)
Harrison Ford defined the definition of “bad boy” back in 1978. His role as Han Solo cemented him in the consciousness as the loveable scoundrel. Ford also played the role of Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde in the sci-fi western Cowboys & Aliens. It’s based on a graphic novel of the same name.
12. Matt Damon
Year: 2007
Age: 48 (Awarded age 37)
With his everyman good looks and academy award-winning talent, Matt Damon has achieved a level of success men half his age haven’t accomplished. While he hasn’t played a superhero (yet) Damon has a cameo in Thor Ragnarok as a stage version of Loki.
11. Jude Law
Year: 2004
Age: 46 (Awarded age 32)
Jude Law is a dashing British man and has starred in many romantic comedies. He was also named “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2004. Next year he’s scheduled to appear in Captain Marvel as the space cop Mar-Vell.
10. Ben Affleck
Year: 2002
Age: 46 (Awarded age 30)
Ben Affleck is a seasoned award-winning actor and has starred in many films from romantic comedies to action. In 2002, at the height of his career, he was awarded the title of “Sexiest Man Alive”. The next year he starred as the superhero Matt Murdock / Daredevil in the movie of the same name. That was a flop but he later starred as Bruce Wayne / Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. That flopped too, but everyone praised his role as the dashing playboy.
9. Ryan Reynolds
Year: 2010
Age: 42 (Awarded age 34)
Ryan Reynolds has an impressive body even today. Plus he was married to Black Widow, Scarlett Johansson. A bevy of hilarious comedies honed his comedic skills. His role as Wade Wilson / Deadpool (the new one, not the awful Wolverine one) has firmly smooshed him into the role of a blockbuster star. Reynolds is actually one of the few actors to play multiple comic book roles. He played in The Losers and Green Lantern.
8. Hugh Jackman
Year: 2008
Age: 50 (Awarded age 40)
Hugh Jackman played Logan / James Howlett / Wolverine in the X-Men series of films. In 2008 he was voted the “Sexiest Man Alive” and joined fellow Austrailian Mel Gibson for the honor. Until Jackman came along there was a vigorous debate if chest hair was still sexy after Burt Reynolds. The answer became a resounding yes in 2008. Even Superman sports a hairy chest now.
7. Dwayne Johnson
Year: 2016
Age: 47 (Awarded age 45)
With a name like Dwayne, you wouldn’t think he’d make to it anyone’s sexy list. But with a name like “The Rock”, he shot to the top of the list in 2016. Besides being cooler than cool he also has biceps bigger than a baby. He’s the first man of color to be awarded the title. Besides all that he also happened to be one of the nicest guys in the business. He deserves the title and the belt if they ever give one out.
6. Chris Hemsworth
Year: 2014
Age: 35 (Awarded age 31)
With his blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, you know Hemsworth is going to turn noggins. But it was after appearing as a shirtless god in Thor that his status quickly shot up.
There have been a surprising number of Australians in the People magazine lists. Hemsworth joins Mel Gibson and Hugh Jackman. He’s a talented guy and has a big heart so it’s no wonder the “Thunder Down Under” makes the list.
5. Channing Tatum
Year: 2012
Age: 39 (Awarded age 33)
Channing Tatum is the star of Magic Mike so it’s no surprise that he was granted the status of “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2012. While the film hasn’t opened yet he’s slated to star in the long-delayed solo film based on Remy LeBeaux / Gambit.
By the way, am I the only one who notices his unnaturally dark hair? How much grey hair could he possibly be hiding at 39?
4. Sean Connery
Year: 1989
Age: 88 (Awarded age 59)
Sean Connery has been making women swoon since his days as James Bond back in the 60s. But he was still moving audiences in 1989 when he was awarded the title of “Sexiest Man Alive”.
Unfortunately, his only comic book role is as Allan Quatermain in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore. As of now, he’s the oldest man to get the title.
3. George Clooney
Year: 1997
Age: 58 (Awarded age 37)
George Clooney starred in the worst and best Batman movie of all time but he still got voted “Sexiest Man Alive” by People. He was actually voted in twice. In 1997 he got his first win and then got another one in 2006.
So you know he’s sexy.
2. Idris Elba
Year: 2018
Age: 46 (Awarded age 46)
Idris Elba is a huge star in America but he’s been an even bigger star in the UK for his role as the tough as nails detective Luthor.
In People magazine’s 33-year list Elba is only the third man of color to receive the honor. He follows Denzel Washington in 1986 and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in 2016. When he got the news he was humble… “I was like, ‘Come on, no way. Really?'” Elba told PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. “Looked in the mirror, I checked myself out. I was like, ‘Yeah, you are kind of sexy today.’ But to be honest, it was just a nice feeling. It was a nice surprise — an ego boost for sure.”
1. Bradley Cooper
Year: 2011
Age: 44 (Awarded age 37)
Bradley Cooper is best known for the Hangover movies, but he’s made his name in superhero movies. He plays the acerbic, but loveable raccoon Rocket in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Sexy is just about a body and he’s one of the most talented men on the list.
People describe him as the “Sexiest Triple Threat” for starring, directing and singing in A Star is Born. Add to that in 2011, he was dubbed “International Man of the Year” by GQ and appeared in AskMen’s 49 “most influential men”. If that isn’t enough he’s number ten on Empire’s list of the “100 Sexiest Movie Stars” in 2013. Forbes ranked him first on their “Celebrity 100: Ones To Watch” list in 2013. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2015. The man is a rock star of the “Sexiest Man Alive” list.
Which is your favorite sexy man on the list? Who is your least favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
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