An Unexpected Honor
In a surprising turn of events, Patrick Dempsey, the 57-year-old heartthrob best known for his role in Grey’s Anatomy, has been crowned People’s Sexiest Man Alive for the year 2023. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Dempsey expressed his astonishment at the honor, saying, “I’m glad it’s happening at this point in my life.
Humble Response
The news of his selection was unveiled in a live interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where the host playfully quipped, “If you know anything about me, you know I’m a huge fan of sexy men who are alive.” To add an element of suspense, a bit of fun was infused into the announcement as Dempsey’s voice and face were playfully altered using “cutting-edge hologram technology.” The audience initially had a few guesses, including Timothée Chalamet, Harry Styles, and Travis Kelce, before narrowing it down to Dempsey due to his age. Ultimately, an audience member named Keith correctly identified Dempsey as the mysterious man behind the hologram.
Unexpected Triumph
Following the big reveal, Dempsey joined Kimmel for an interview and admitted that being named the Sexiest Man Alive was a genuine surprise. He remarked, “I was completely shocked, and then I started laughing, like, this is a joke, right? I’ve always been the bridesmaid!
Return to the Big Screen
After captivating fans in 11 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy as the beloved Dr. Derek Shepherd, Dempsey is making a comeback to the big screen. He’ll grace screens again on December 25, playing Italian driver Piero Taruffi in Michael Mann’s film “Ferrari,” alongside Adam Driver and Penélope Cruz. Notably, “Ferrari” received an interim SAG-AFTRA agreement, enabling the stars to participate in the Venice Film Festival, which provided red-carpet moments for Dempsey and may have contributed to his recognition as the Sexiest Man Alive. Dempsey, an avid race car driver in real life, shared his passion for the project and revealed how he proactively reached out to Mann to secure his role. He reflected, “I called Michael and said, ‘I want to discuss being a part of this.’ That taught me if you really want something, you have to do it yourself.
A Storied Legacy
Patrick Dempsey joins an illustrious lineage of living Sexiest Men, a roster that includes luminaries such as George Clooney, Michael B. Jordan, Ben Affleck, Idris Elba, Paul Rudd, and Brad Pitt. Noteworthy additions to this list have included unexpected choices like Blake Shelton, John Legend, and most recently, Chris Evans. At 57, Dempsey now ranks as the second oldest man to earn the title of People’s Sexiest Man Alive, following in the footsteps of Sean Connery, who secured the honor in 1989 at the age of 59. In his own lighthearted way, Dempsey quipped, “I peaked many years ago, but I’m still here.