The Sexiest Men Alive (31st to 40th) Quiz

When country singer Blake Shelton was named People magazine's 'Sexiest Man Alive' in 2017, he took the announcement with his usual sense of humour. Shelton joked that he was running out of accomplishments to brag about and was happy to have a new title to hold over his longtime friend and fellow musician Adam Levine, who had won the honour four years earlier.

By 2017, Shelton was already one of the biggest names in country music, with dozens of chart-topping singles and multiple platinum albums to his credit. He had also become a familiar television personality as one of the original coaches on the singing competition series "The Voice." His easygoing personality, Oklahoma roots, and highly publicized relationship with singer Gwen Stefani helped keep him firmly in the public spotlight.

Idris Elba became the 2018 'Sexiest Man Alive' at age 46, making him one of the older recipients of the title. The British actor admitted that the recognition came as a surprise, but he appreciated the compliment and the opportunity to laugh about it.

At the time of his selection, Elba was enjoying success on both sides of the Atlantic. He was widely known for portraying Detective Chief Inspector John Luther in the acclaimed crime drama "Luther," while movie audiences recognized him from films such as "Thor" (2011), "Thor: Ragnarok" (2017), and "The Dark Tower" (2017). He was also frequently mentioned as a possible future James Bond, a topic that generated considerable media attention throughout the decade.

John Legend received the title of 'Sexiest Man Alive' in 2019 at a time when few entertainers could match his list of accomplishments. Although surprised by the honour, Legend accepted it with his characteristic sense of humour and modesty.

By that point, he had become one of the music industry's most recognizable figures. In addition to recording hit songs such as "Ordinary People" (2004) and "All of Me" (2013), Legend had completed an EGOT in 2018, joining the select group of performers who have won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards. His musical talent, charisma, and reputation as a thoughtful public figure made him an easy choice for the distinction.

Michael B. Jordan was named 'Sexiest Man Alive' in 2020. Although he accepted the honour graciously, he admitted that friends and family quickly found opportunities to tease him about the title.

Jordan's profile had risen dramatically during the previous decade. After attracting attention in television series such as "Friday Night Lights" and "The Wire," he became a major film star through his performances as Adonis Creed in "Creed" (2015) and Killmonger in "Black Panther" (2018). His combination of charisma, athleticism, and acting ability made him one of Hollywood's most sought-after leading men.

When actor Paul Rudd was announced as the 2021 winner, many fans celebrated the choice by pointing out that he seemed not to age. Rudd himself found the situation amusing and suggested that several other people were probably more deserving candidates.

Rudd had spent decades building a reputation as one of Hollywood's most likeable performers. He first gained widespread recognition through films such as "Clueless" (1995), "Anchorman" (2004), and "Role Models" (2008), before reaching an even larger audience as Scott Lang, better known as Ant-Man, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His self-deprecating humour and approachable image made him a particularly popular choice.

Chris Evans earned the title of 'Sexiest Man Alive' in 2022 after years of appearing near the top of many fans' unofficial lists. Evans was reportedly concerned that his friends would never let him forget the honour, while his family was thoroughly delighted by the news.

Although Evans had worked steadily since the early 2000s, he became internationally famous through his portrayal of Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. By the time he was selected, he had also expanded into dramatic roles and voice acting projects. His combination of leading-man looks, humour, and philanthropy helped solidify his status as a fan favourite.

Patrick Dempsey was named 'Sexiest Man Alive' in 2023, nearly twenty years after audiences first embraced him as one of television's most popular leading men. Dempsey remarked that he was pleased the honour arrived at a stage of life when he could appreciate it rather than feel pressured by it.

Although he remained best known to many viewers as Dr. Derek Shepherd, nicknamed "McDreamy," from the long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy, Dempsey had also enjoyed success on the big screen. He appeared as Robert Philip in Disney's "Enchanted" (2007) and reprised the role in "Disenchanted" (2022), which was released less than a year before his selection. His enduring popularity, good looks, and ability to connect with audiences across multiple generations made him a fitting choice for the title.

Actor, writer, and director John Krasinski took the title of 'Sexiest Man Alive' in 2024. He later joked that his first reaction was disbelief, as it was not something he had seriously expected to happen.

Krasinski first became famous playing Jim Halpert on the American version of "The Office," one of television's most beloved sitcoms. In later years, he successfully reinvented himself as both an action star and filmmaker through the "Jack Ryan" television series and the horror hit "A Quiet Place" (2018), which he directed and co-starred in alongside his wife, Emily Blunt. By 2024, he had developed a reputation as one of Hollywood's more versatile talents.

Jonathan Bailey became 'Sexiest Man Alive' in 2025 after a rapid rise from respected stage actor to international star. Bailey accepted the honour with characteristic modesty, describing it as flattering but somewhat surreal.

His breakthrough came as Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix's enormously successful period drama "Bridgerton." He subsequently earned critical praise for the historical drama "Fellow Travelers" and expanded his profile through major film roles, including his appearance in the musical adaptation of "Wicked." Bailey's combination of theatrical talent, charm, and growing screen presence made him a natural choice for the title.

In 2026, Noah Wyle received the 'Sexiest Man Alive' honour nearly three decades after becoming a household name on television. Wyle admitted that his first reaction was disbelief, but he was pleased to accept the title and the good-natured attention that came with it.

Many viewers first came to know Wyle through his role as Dr. John Carter on the award-winning medical drama "ER," one of the defining television series of the 1990s. His career experienced a resurgence with the acclaimed hospital drama "The Pitt," where his portrayal of Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch introduced him to a new generation of viewers. The selection recognized both his longstanding popularity and his renewed success on television.