People Magazine has named Patrick Dempsey as its Sexiest Man Alive for 2023.
Dempsey’s selection was revealed on Tuesday night on Jimmy Kimmel Live! The 57-year-old actor and racing car driver, famed for playing neurosurgeon Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd in Grey’s Anatomy, takes the title from Chris Evans.
It’s been a long time coming for Dempsey, a perennial contender for Sexiest Man Alive, thanks largely to his run on Grey’s but also for playing overtly good-looking characters in the Enchanted films as well Bridget Jones’s Baby.
Outside of acting, Dempsey has reinforced his heartthrob credentials by dabbling in race car driving. He has competed at an elite level for a number of years and has even taken part in the prestigious Le Mans 24-Hour endurance race.
“I’m glad it’s happening at this point in my life,” Dempsey told People. “It’s nice to have the recognition, and certainly my ego takes a little bump, but it gives me the platform to use it for something positive.”
Asked how he felt when he first heard the news he had been selected as Sexiest Man Alive for 2023, Dempsey said “I was completely shocked, and then I started laughing, like, this is a joke, right? I’ve always been the bridesmaid!”
He added, “I’d completely forgotten about it and never even contemplated being in this position. So my ego is good.”
Aside from Evans last year, other past recipients of the Sexiest Man Alive title include John Legend, Michael B. Jordan, Paul Rudd, Ryan Reynolds, Chris Hemsworth, Bradley Cooper, Dwayne Johnson, Idris Elba, Adam Levine, Richard Gere, Channing Tatum and David Beckham.
