Mel Gibson
When he won: 1985
Sure, these days, he’s better known for misanthropic rants Mel Gibson, Anti-semitic remarks, domestic discord Mel Gibson, Oksana Grigorieva and esoteric indie flicks. But back in 1985, the “Mad Max” star became People’s first-ever “Sexiest Man Alive.” People Magazine The Sexiest Man Alive 1985 Mel Gibson.
Mark Harmon
When he won: 1986
Harmon stars in the small-screen hit “NCIS” these days Mark Harmon 2012. In 1986, he played a dashing doctor on “St. Elsewhere” and won a Golden Globe for playing a real-life serial killer and rapist ted bundy. Mark Harmon, People Sexiest Man.
Harry Hamlin
When he won: 1987
“Mr. Lisa Rinna” Harry Hamlin, Lisa Rinna 2012 may have been scantily clad when he played the lead in this '81 cult classic Clash of the Titans, but his role as a handsome lawyer on the hit drama “L.A. Law” is likely what earned him the 1987 cover. Harry Hamlin People Magazine Sexiest Man.
John F. Kennedy Jr.
When he won: 1988
“John-John” didn’t have much more than a handsome face and a family name John F. Kennedy to brag about when he won the title in 1988, making him the only non-actor to win. He later added attorney John F. Kennedy, Jr., prosecutor and magazine publisher John F. Kennedy, Jr. George magazine to his CV. His life was unexpectedly cut short in 1999 his cause of death John F. Kennedy, Jr. cause of death. John F. Kennedy, Jr. People Sexiest Man.
Sean Connery
When he won: 1989
He was the ‘60s-era James Bond and by the time he hit the 1989 cover, Connery had an Oscar for best actor in a supporting role, for movie The Untouchables on his shelf and he’d joined the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade franchise. Sean Connery People Sexiest Man.
Tom Cruise
When he won: 1990
Cruise his real name Thomas Mapother IV has had a rough year in terms of love (he and Katie Holmes divorced), but he’s keeping himself busy with new work Tom Cruise All You Need Is Kill. In 1990, he had a different A-list love his wife then Nicole Kidman and a formidable film “feather” Born on the Fourth of July in his cap. Tom Cruise People Sexiest Man. Jack Reacher, Tom Cruise.
Patrick Swayze
When he won: 1991
Hollywood mourned his passing in 2009 Patrick Swayze cause of death. But in his heyday, Swayze kept fans swooning with “Dirty Dancing” and the romantic hit that preceded his 1991 cover story, “Ghost.” Patrick Swayze People Sexiest Man Alive.
Nick Nolte
When he won: 1992
Nolte’s win came after two big hits —the intense suspense thriller “Cape Fear” and the romantic drama “The Prince of Tides.” Sure, he’s hit some personal lows his iconic mug shot Nick Nolte mug shot since then, but his career keeps on plugging. Here’s his latest Nick Nolte Gangster Squad, Gangster Squad movie. Nick Nolte People Sexiest Man.
Brad Pitt
When he won: 1995
By 1995, Pitt had showed his range with films as diverse as “Interview with the Vampire” and “Legends of the Fall,” all while keeping the hunk factor at full throttle. Brad Pitt People Sexiest Man 1995. Brad Pitt Sexiest Man Alive 2000. Star in a zombie movie World War Z scheduled for a 2013 release.
Denzel Washington
When he won: 1996
By 1996, Washington had earned respect for “Philadelphia movie” and Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X,” and TV viewers were familiar with his charms from this medical drama St. Elsewhere. He is the only African- American to win the “Sexiest” honor. Denzel Washington People cover. Latest acclaimed role flight movie. Denzel Washington GQ cover.
George Clooney
When he won: 1997
Clooney’s been turning heads since his '80s sitcom George Clooney The Facts of Life days, and in 1997 he was elevated from hunky TV doctor the popular show, again ER to hero in “Batman & Robin.” George Clooney People Sexiest Man Alive in 1997. "George Clooney" AND People Sexiest Man Alive 2006, George Clooney Disney 1952.
Harrison Ford
When he won: 1998
He’d already cracked his famous whip in three Indiana Jones films and played the swashbuckling Han Solo Star Wars. The year before his win, he played the president of the United States in “Air Force One movie.” Harrison Ford People Sexiest Man.
Richard Gere
When he won: 1999
Gere was the go-to romantic comedy guy in the ‘90s, thanks to “Pretty Woman” and “Runaway Bride.” His 1999 philanthropic work Gere Foundation India Trust showed he was more than just a pretty face. Richard Gere People Sexiest Man. Richard Gere Cindy Crawford sexiest couple alive, arbitrage.
Pierce Brosnan
When he won: 2001
Brosnan starred in his own ‘80s TV series Remington Steele, carried the Bond torch Pierce Brosnan James Bond for four films in the late ‘90s to early ‘00s and earned the “sexiest” spot in 2001. Pierce Brosnan Sexiest Man, November Man Pierce Brosnan.
Ben Affleck
When he won: 2002
“Good Will Hunting” put him on the map as a writer and actor, his brief relationship with Ben Affleck Jennifer Lopez put him on the map as tabloid fodder, and People put him on its cover in 2002. The Sexiest Man Alive AND Ben Affleck AND People, Ben Affleck 2012.
Johnny Depp
When he won: 2003
From an undercover cop Johnny Depp 21 Jump Street to a cross-dressing horror director Ed Wood to a prancing pirate, Depp’s done it all. He’s also been romantically linked to the likes of Winona Ryder pirates of the caribbean and Kate Moss Winona Ryder, Johnny Depp, his latest break-up Johnny Depp Vanessa Paradis. His 2003 addition to People’s list added some unique flavor. Johnny Depp People Sexiest Man Alive 2002, Johnny Depp People Sexiest Man Alive.
Jude Law
When he won: 2004
Law took the label the year after his Jude Law Sadie Frost divorce and his Oscar nod for “Cold Mountain.” By 2004, he’d started a new relationship Jude Law, Sienna Miller and had a new film to promote I Heart Huckabees. Jude Law Sexiest Man Alive.
Matthew McConaughey
When he won: 2005
McConaughey’s drawl, cockiness and sly grin have won fans over, whether he’s playing his slightly sleazy character in “Dazed and Confused,” a rom-com Romeo in “The Wedding Planner,” or, a globetrotting adventurer in 2005’s “Sahara.” Matthew McConaughey Sexiest Man Alive, Matthew McConaughey Camila Alves, Matthew McConaughey weight loss.
Matt Damon
When he won: 2007
In 2007, all eyes were on this spy. He’d rekindled his Jason Bourne role The Bourne Ultimatum and teamed up, once again, with the ensemble cast of “Ocean’s Thirteen.” That year, he made the cover and was awarded a star in Hollywood Walk of Fame. Matt Damon Sexiest Man Alive, Matt Damon climate change Showtime series, Promised Land Matt Damon.
Hugh Jackman
When he won: 2008
Jackman jumped easily from Broadway musicals to blockbuster action films The Boy from Oz Hugh Jackman to sweeping dramas such as “Australia” and became the second muscleman from Down Under to make the People cover. Hugh Jackman Sexiest Man.
Ryan Reynolds
When he won: 2010
He and his muscles appeared in both romantic comedies and comic-book action flicks in the run-up to his 2010 cover selection. At the time, he was married to an actress who’d become a sex symbol in her own right. Ryan Reynolds Sexiest Man.
Bradley Cooper
When he won: 2011
Last year’s “Sexiest Man Alive” was riding high on his “Hangover” hits, as well as his thriller “Limitless” when he got news of his new title. Cooper later admitted he thought he was being pranked Bradley Cooper Dax Shepard "Sexiest Man Alive!" and there was much debate over his win, Bradley Cooper vs. Ryan Gosling "Sexiest Man" protest. Bradley Cooper Sexiest Man Alive, Bradley Cooper speaking French.
