Vanity Fair Crowns Patrick Dempsey as People's Sexiest Man of 2023

Written by Chris Murphy

Former "Grey's Anatomy" heartthrob Patrick Dempsey has been declared the Sexiest Man Alive 2023 by People. The 57-year-old actor expressed his gratification about the announcement, highlighting the positive impact it could bring.

The disclosure was made on Tuesday night at Jimmy Kimmel Live! Clever holography was utilized to conceal Dempsey, altering his voice and concealing his face, as host Jimmy Kimmel interviewed the People's Sexiest Man Alive. Initial speculations from the audience included Timothée Chalamet, Harry Styles, and Travis Kelce, before guesses began leaning towards Dempsey due to his age. An audience member named Keith finally pinpointed that the disguised individual was none other than "Dr. McDreamy" from Grey’s Anatomy.

Following the unveiling, Dempsey shared in an interview with Kimmel that the accolade was unexpected, initially believing it to be a prank. “I’ve always been the bridesmaid!” he joked.

Best known for his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd, Meredith Grey’s love interest on Grey’s Anatomy, Dempsey will be reappearing on screen as Piero Taruffi in Michael Mann’s Ferrari alongside Adam Driver and Penélope Cruz. The actor spoke about his interest in the car racing film, and how he took the initiative to ask for a part in the film.

Dempsey joins an illustrious list of previous Sexiest Men Alive, including George Clooney, Michael B. Jordan, Ben Affleck, Idris Elba, Paul Rudd, Brad Pitt, Blake Shelton, John Legend, and Chris Evans, among others. Aged 57, Dempsey is only second to Sean Connery, named Sexiest Man Alive in 1989 at 59, in terms of oldest recipients of the title. Dempsey humorously commented on this: “I peaked many years ago, but I’m still here.”