The men who were once voted the sexiest alive

It can be hard to pick Hollywood’s hottest from a surplus of heartthrobs, so earning the top spot of Sexiest Man Alive is certainly an impressive accomplishment. These men won the title over 20 years ago and plenty of them have retained their movie star good looks well into later life. See which celebs you’d recognise and which ones have changed up their style…

Mel Gibson was the inaugural Sexiest Man Alive

Mel Gibson – 1985

Mel Gibson won People‘s Sexiest Man Alive in 1985, the first time that the magazine crowned its champion.

The actor sat on the rougher end of the heartthrob section with his role in Mad Max and it seems to have come as something of a shock. Mel said at the time, “It’s all happening too fast.”

Split image of Mark Harmon. Seen on the left in 1986 in a scene from 'Let's Get Harry' and on the right in 2023.

Mark Harmon didn’t quite see his own appeal

Mark Harmon – 1986

With his floppy brown locks and easy charm, Mark Harmon was a clear winner to fans everywhere in the ’80s, making his 1986 cover a well-deserved choice.

His two beloved projects St. Elsewhere and Moonlighting cemented Mark’s place on the cover, and in our hearts, but he didn’t get it himself: “All I see is a bunch of fake teeth and football scars,” Mark said at the time.

Split image of Harry Hamlin. On the left in 1987, on the right in 2024.

Harry Hamlin had starring roles in ‘Clash of the Titans’ and ‘L.A. Law’

Harry Hamlin – 1987

With a role as Perseus in Clash of the Titans and hot attorney Michael Kuzak on L.A. Law, it was no surprise when Harry Hamlin was voted Sexiest Man Alive in 1987.

But it did give the actor something more of a shock. He told the magazine at the time, “Certainly when I look in the mirror, I don’t get turned on. It’s not something I spend a lot of time considering.”

Split image of Nick Nolte. On the left, wearing a beige corduroy jacket over a white shirt with an open collar, with a red curtain in the background, United States, circa 1977. On the right, seen arriving to The World Premiere of 'Rittenhouse Square' during The 31st Philadelphia Film Festival on October 23, 2022.

Nick Nolte won the title of Sexiest Man Alive in 1992

Nick Nolte – 1992

Nick Nolte was a more rugged change of pace from the pretty boys before him. He shot to fame on Lorenzo’s Oil and The Prince of the Tides, landing the 1992 cover.

He might have been beloved as a bad-boy but Nick was also regarded as having a heart of gold. His reputation might be even less spotless today, but in 1992 he was certainly getting audiences flushed.

Split image of Richard Gere, shown in 1993 in a suit and bow tie, and in 2025 wearing a patterned scarf.

Richard Gere won a joint cover and an individual title

Richard Gere – 1993

Technically, Richard Gere shared his title with Cindy Crawford in 1993, as one half of the Sexiest Couple Alive but he soon enough had his own cover to boast about.

In 1999, at the age of 50, Richard secured his title. Diane Von Furstenberg said at the time, “He walked like a biker, and that attracted me. I knew I was going to get my hands on him. I seduced him.”

Split image of Ben Affleck. Shown in 2002 and in 2026.

Ben Affleck won the title in 2002

Ben Affleck – 2002

In 2002, who else but Ben Affleck could be chosen as Sexiest Man Alive? He met Jennifer Lopez in 2001 on the set of Gigli and got engaged in 2002. While fans were delighted at #Bennifer they couldn’t keep their eyes off the movie star himself.

By then, he’d starred in Pearl Harbor, Forces of Nature and religious satire Dogma, making him a certified movie star and sex symbol.

Split image of Brad Pitt shown in 1994 with long hair and in 2026 with short hair, a beard and oversized glasses.

Brad Pitt won Sexiest Man Alive in 1995 and in 2000

Brad Pitt – 1995 & 2000

Man-of-many-hairstyles Brad Pitt won the title of Sexiest Man Alive while rocking his longer locks in 1995, following star roles on Legends of the Fall and Interview with the Vampire.

He won the title again the year of the Millennium, recently wed to Jennifer Aniston, beloved as half of Hollywood’s Golden Couple in the early 2000s.

Read the full article here

Contents

Mel Gibson – 1985 Mark Harmon – 1986 Harry Hamlin – 1987 Nick Nolte – 1992 Richard Gere – 1993 Ben Affleck – 2002 Brad Pitt – 1995 & 2000

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