Patrick Dempsey is named as People magazine’s 2023 Sexiest Man Alive on Jimmy Kimmel Live

• Actor, 57, said, ‘Never give up on a dream’ after being named with the title
• He said of receiving the flattering honor: ‘You have to enjoy the moment when it happens – the year goes by so quickly’ 
• Dempsey is best known for playing Dr. Derek Shepherd on Grey’s Anatomy 
• Recent honorees include Chris Evans, Paul Rudd and Michael B. Jordan

Patrick Dempsey was named as People magazine’s 2023 Sexiest Man Alive on Jimmy Kimmel Live Tuesday evening.

The show featured an appearance from the ex-Grey’s Anatomy leading man, 57, while the cover of the issue was shown.

‘Thank you very much,’ the actor, who is father to daughter Tallula, 21, and twin sons Darby and Sullivan, 16, with wife Jillian, 57, said after he was honored. 

In a segment on the late night show, Kimmel used ‘cutting-edge hologram technology from our friends at proto’ and disguised the identity of the person named Sexiest Man Alive, later revealed to be Dempsey.

In a 20 questions format, audience members asked the mystery man questions in trying to pare down the possible candidates for the honor. The questions revealed that the person was an actor who is older than 50 and is married with three children.

Other answers indicated that the mystery man was not Harry Styles or Travis Kelce and did not have tattoos.

The key question asked by an audience member was ‘Are you Dr. McDreamy?’ in reference to Dempsey’s character Dr. Derek Shepherd on the ABC hit.

In sitting down with Kimmel, the Ferrari star said, ‘I’m just happy they made a decision and it was me this year.’

Kimmel joked that it took the magazine a long time in honoring Dempsey, who has been in show business more than 35 years.

He said: ‘What took them so long is the only question I have … you get more handsome every single year … they waited; like uncorking a bottle of fine wine, they decided to wait until just the right year – next year you’ll be a mess!’

Kimmel noted how the Enchanted actor had been close to receiving the honors in recent years, as he was put on two past covers alongside others who had won, George Clooney and Matt Damon.

‘Never give up on a dream,’ Dempsey said.

Dempsey said his family laughed when informed of the honor: ‘They were like, “No, seriously, who is it?” “No, it’s me.” Reality came crashing in.’ 

Dempsey said that the magazine keeps a tight seal on the identity of the winner.

‘You’re not allowed to talk about it at all,’ he said. ‘You’re not allowed to mention it. Everybody signs these nondisclosures where you’re not allowed to say what they’re doing.’

Dempsey said the professionals at the shoot for the issue were aware why they were there and what they were working on: ‘The lighting is a little different, the energy, it’s electric.’

Dempsey joked that he fasted for a month ahead of the photoshoot, adding that he ‘worked out’ and eliminated ‘bread products’ from his diet.

Kimmel noted how Dempsey had been ‘upset’ when Ryan Reynolds was named with the honor in 2010, referring to a past sketch they did in which Dempsey ‘had to be Tased’ in a rage over being snubbed.

Dempsey joked, ‘The therapist was really kind to me after that … took me about five years to work through. I had to stay away from him for quite a few years, yes. Now I can kind of get close to him.’

Kimmel asked Dempsey ‘if last year’s Sexiest Man Chris Evans called to concede,’ to which Dempsey said, ‘No, I haven’t spoken to him yet; I’m hoping when I get offstage, I’ll get a call.’

Dempsey said of receiving the flattering honor: ‘You have to enjoy the moment when it happens – the year goes by so quickly.’

In a piece from the magazine, Dempsey said that he was ‘glad it’s happening at this point’ in his life.

‘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.’

Among those positive causes include The Dempsey Center, the Lewiston, Maine facility he opened in 2008 named in memory of his late mother Amanda, who died in March of 2014 at the age of 79 after a 17-year battle with ovarian cancer.

The Dempsey Center ‘provides personalized and comprehensive cancer care at no cost’ to people, according to its website. There is also a second office in South Portland, Maine.

Dempsey told the magazine that he ‘was completely shocked’ upon being told the was going to receive the honor.

‘I started laughing, like, this is a joke, right?’ he said. ‘I’ve always been the bridesmaid! I’d completely forgotten about it and never even contemplated being in this position. So my ego is good.’

He joked of the souvenirs he had with the title: ‘I’ve got the bumper stickers, T-shirts, posters.’

Asked if he believed the honor meant he had peaked, Dempsey said, ‘I peaked many years ago but I’m still here.’

In the interview, Kimmel also asked Dempsey about his involvement with auto racing, as he’s attending the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix later this month, and appearing in the film Ferrari due out next month.

Dempsey listed off a number of support races he’s competed in, but said he’s never been in a Formula 1 car before.

‘I had an opportunity when they opened up the track in Texas, COTA,’ he said. ‘And what they do is a recon lap, they go out to make sure all the systems are working. They had the professional driver do that.

‘Halfway through the lap, the car broke down – and I was ready to go and that was my moment, and I didn’t get a chance to drive.’

On Twitter, a number of Dempsey’s fans celebrated him being awarded the title, saying it was long overdue.

‘Everyone saying Patrick Dempsey is the “wrong choice” is lying through their teeth that man is sexiest men of not only this year but maybe even the last 3 decades,’ said one user.

Another said that the actor has ‘BEEN sexiest man alive since he said its a beautiful day to save lives that first time in 2005,’ referring to his role on the ABC medical drama.

‘I actually won’t stand for this Patrick Dempsey hate because let’s not act like this isn’t one of the finest men that has graced God’s green earth,’ said one user.

One posted a shot of Dempsey from the 1987 film Can’t Buy Me Love alongside the magazine cover, captioning the comparison, ‘The way Patrick Dempsey is aging like fine wine.’

Said one fan: ‘PATRICK DEMPSEY 2023 SEXIEST MAN ALIVE IS EVERYTHING TO ME!’ 

Kimmel previously announced the magazine’s honoree for the first time in three years, as he did so in 2020 when actor Michael B. Jordan achieved the honor. In the years since, Paul Rudd was honored in 2021, and Chris Evans was given the title in 2022.

Other past winners include John Legend (2019), Idris Elba (2018), Blake Shelton (2017), Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson (2016), David Beckham (2015), Chris Hemsworth (2014), Adam Levine (2013), Channing Tatum (2012), Bradley Cooper (2011) and Ryan Reynolds (2010).

The earlier decade in the 2000s brought forward wins by Johnny Depp (2009), Hugh Jackman (2008), Matt Damon (2007), George Clooney (2006), Matthew McConaughey (2005), Jude Law (2004), Johnny Depp (2003), Ben Affleck (2002), Pierce Brosnan (2001) and Brad Pitt (2000).

The 1990s brought covers for Richard Gere (1999), Harrison Ford (1998), George Clooney (1997), Denzel Washington (1996), Brad Pitt (1995), Nick Nolte (1992), the late Patrick Swayze (1991) and Tom Cruise (1990). There was no winner named in 1994 and then-couple Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford as the Sexiest Couple Alive in 1993.

The first decade of the annual honor, the 1980s, saw the Sexiest Man Alive named as the late Sean Connery in 1989, the late John F. Kennedy, Jr. in 1988, Harry Hamlin in 1987, Mark Harmon in 1986 and Mel Gibson in 1985. 

Jimmy Kimmel Live can be seen weeknights on ABC at 11:35 p.m./10:35c.