Sexiest Man Alive? The Reds Weigh In

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Last week, PEOPLE Magazine announced their Sexiest Man Alive for 2024:  John Krasinski. I approve this choice, because even in his action-man roles like Jack Ryan, Krasinski exudes a kind of endearing normalness. He has an attainable level of sexiness. Apparently, the magazine has been crowning The Sexiest Man since 1985, which, wow. Some of their choices have aged like fine wine (Mark Harmon ‘86, George Cloony ‘97, and some have… not (Mel Gibson ‘85, Johnny Depp ‘03 and ‘09.) Depp twice, PEOPLE??

 

I also approve of some of this year’s more vintage choices, like Joshua Jackson, Matt Bomer and (deep sigh) Pedro Pascal. Show me a man with some smile lines, please. On the other hand, I can recognise Manny Jacinto and Timothee Chalamet are beautiful, but they’re, you know, boys relatively speaking. If you’re young enough to be my son (or, God forbid, grandson!) I’m sorry, I cannot apply the word sexy to you.

 

I want PEOPLE to start putting out a second edition for ladies of a certain age. We know sexy is more than smooth skin and a piercing gaze. Does he carry out the trash without being reminded? Does he turn himself over when snoring? Will he pull over into the next rest stop if you ask, even if he doesn’t have to go?

 

How about you, Reds? What traits do you think should be considered for Sexiest Actual Real Grown Up Man Alive, and do you have any nominees?

 

RHYS BOWEN:  For much of my adult life it was always Robert Redford and Paul Newman. No one sexier. I even had a pin up of RR with his shirt open on my bulletin board. Now Paul is gone and RR is very, very old.

So for me George Clooney is an obvious choice. Denzel Washington. Ryan Gosling maybe? I tell you who: Paul Hollywood from the Great British Baking Show. Those eyes!!!

 

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Well, Gregory Peck. Cary Grant. Idris Elba. The guy on Tracker, whoever that is.  Inspector Morse. Hugh Grant in Love, Actually.  Attributes: they think I’m really funny. They do not question the number of shoes or black jackets. They know what to have for dinner every night and often make it. They have a passion for something, they’re involved with it. They like to learn new things.  They are NICE and conversational, and don’t mind chitchatting with people while I hide. They are genuinely interested in the world. And they think people are basically good. Plus, confident without being self-centered.  Good grammar. Loves children. Loves the ducks in our backyard. :-) And a great sense of humor.

Pretty sure this is the man Hank is talking about...

JENN McKINLAY: I like John Krasinski. He’s a cinnamon roll hero (as we say in the romance industry) meaning he’s not an alpha but rather a sweet dependable beta. I prefer betas, mostly because I’m not very good with people (men or women) telling me what to do, how to think, etc. But if PEOPLE was going for a hot beta…um…Pedro Pascal is right there!!! He is so funny and versatile and, yes, I am 100% going to see GLADIATOR II. 

 

Unsurprisingly, humor is what always wins me over. ALWAYS. I still joke with the Hooligans that it’s a good thing their dad is funny or he’d be single. As for men (besides Pedro) who are easy on the eyes and can deliver the humor (sometimes surprisingly), I have to go with Ryan Reynolds, Keegan Michael Key, Channing Tatum, Colin Firth, and Jon Hamm.

 

 

 

LUCY BURDETTE: Me too on Robert Redford Rhys! You can have Paul. What about Bradley Cooper singing Shallow with Lady Gaga? Nothing sexier than a man who can sing. And is funny, like Hugh Grant dancing in Love, Actually. (I know that’s a controversial pick, but I adore that scene.) Kyle Chandler in Friday Night Lights–kind, warm, funny! David Gyasi in The Diplomat? I’m actually rooting for him:)

 

Hank, basically I think you have described our husbands, which is a good thing!

 

HALLIE EPHRON: For me, forever and always, Patrick Swayze. He always comes across as quintessentially NICE. Even moreso because he was (reputedly) happily married. And weirdly I do like Alan Rickman. He’d be so interesting. I know, they’re both dead. Details, details. 

 

DEBORAH CROMBIE: I know everyone says that Hugh Grant hasn’t aged well. So, maybe he has a few more wrinkles than he did in his rom-com days, but I think he might be more appealing now, smart and funny with that sly, dry British wit. And he’s apparently besotted with his wife and kids, which makes me like him even better.

 

But speaking of aging well, oh my, how about Patrick Dempsey? He was, I just saw, People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2023, so I have good backing on this pick! (I think a young Patrick would have made a fabulous choice for Rhys’s Darcy O’Mara.)

 

But my top vintage pick goes to Stanley Tucci, having just spent fourteen hours or so with him on Searching for Italy. Funny, intelligent, besotted with wife and kids–those attributes keep coming up! I like the NICE guys!

JULIA: Men, take heart - what really makes a man attractive isn't his hair or his muscles. It's personality. Now it's your turn, dear readers? Who's your vote for Sexiest Man Alive - or in Hallie's case, Sexiest Man Dead - and what are the qualities you'd vote for?