These Then And Now Comparisons Of People’s Sexiest Man Alive From 1990 All The Way Up To This Year’s Winner Are Amazing

How People's Sexiest Men Alive looked when they won vs. now is exactly the sort of thing you want to see today.

Paul

• Published in Interesting
• November 17, 2021

There is a lot more to the title "Sexiest Man Alive" than meets the eye. Every year, People magazine walks the earth in search of someone to bestow the honor of "Sexiest Man Alive.”

This is a very big deal since this award is one of the highest honors in the world of beauty. The New York-based weekly is one among the world's most popular publications.

The magazine's covers and men's fashion pages feature sexy actors and musicians who live next door but it is best recognized for its annual "World's Most Beautiful," "Best and Worst Dressed," and "Sexiest Man Alive" special issues. Beginning with Mel Gibson, who received the honor in 1985.

Mark Harmon was the recipient of the award's second year. Harry Halmin in 1987, John F. Kennedy Jr in 1988, and Sean Connery in 1989 making him the oldest Sexiest Man Alive to date.

Paul Rudd is the current holder of the award. People magazine has been polling readers to select the Sexiest Man Alive for years.

These always attractive guys, from Brad Pitt to Ryan Gosling, have been judged hotter than you or me. But how do they look as they grew older?

Take a look at how the People's Sexiest Men Alive looked in 1990 compared to how they look now (from 1990 to the winner this year)

Tom Cruise

When he was chosen in 1990, Tom Cruise had just finished filming Days of Thunder. In 1990, Tom Cruise had already been in a slew of hit films, including the action films Top Gun, Risky Business, Rain Man, Cocktail, and "All the Right Moves."

Here's how he looks like now

Patrick Swayze

In 1991, thanks to the films "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost," Patrick Swayze had established himself as one of Hollywood's most popular leading males. Sadly, the actor passed away in 2009.

Nick Nolte

Following his performances in "The Prince of Tides" and "Cape Fear," Nick Nolte, then 51, was named the Sexiest Man Alive in 1992.

Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford

When People magazine crowned actor Richard Gere and model Cindy Crawford the Sexiest Couple Alive in 1993, it was a break from tradition.

Keanu Reeves

Popularly known for his leading role in John Wick. Keanu won the award in 1994.

Brad Pitt

Following a hiatus that occurred in 1994, People magazine returned the following year picking Brad Pitt. The 37-year old actor of "Legends of the Fall," was the Sexiest Man Alive.

Denzel Washington

At the age of 41, Denzel Washington was awarded Sexiest Man Alive in 1996.

George Clooney

When he portrayed Dr. Doug Ross on "ER," George Clooney was named the sexiest man in the world. In 1997, he starred in "Batman & Robin".

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford, star of "Star Wars" and "Witness," was 56 years old when he was nominated in 1998.

Richard Gere

Diane Von Furstenberg, Gere's ex-girlfriend, praised the choice to name him Sexiest Man Alive in 1999. "I was drawn to him because he walked like a motorcycle," she told People magazine.

Brad Pitt

He was awarded the title for the second time in 2000.

Pierce Brosnan

When Pierce Brosnan landed on People's cover, he was known as James Bond.

Ben Affleck

I'm Batman!

Johnny Depp

Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, George Clooney, and Richard Gere are the only men who have won the award twice.

Jude Law

Matthew McConaughey

McConaughey landed the cover of People's Sexiest Man Alive 20th anniversary issue after acting in hit romantic comedy like "The Wedding Planner."

George Clooney

Matt Damon

Hugh Jackman

"X-Men: The Last Stand" Wolverine Hugh Jackman was awarded Sexiest Man Alive after his performance as Wolverine.

Johnny Depp

Ryan Reynolds

The self-deprecating wit of Ryan Reynolds and his upcoming role in "Green Lantern" helped him become the first Canadian Sexiest Man Alive.

Bradley Cooper

Channing Tatum

Adam Levine

Levine was just 34 years old when he became People's Sexiest Man Alive's first musician and the second non-actor to do so.

Chris Hemsworth

"Thor" actor Chris Hemsworth, who was 31 years old at the time, handled the sexiest hammer back in 2014.

David Beckham

In 2015, David Beckham became the first and only professional athlete to be featured on the yearly cover.

Dwayne Johnson "The Rock"

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, a former wrestler turned actor, was granted the title in 2016.

Blake Shelton

Idris Elba

In shows like "The Wire" and "Luther," British actor Idris Elba became well-known. In the early 2000s, he gained more fame for his role as Baltimore drug lord Stringer Bell on the HBO series "The Wire."

As an actor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the 47-year-old has a long resume.

John Legend

The vocalist of "All Of Me" has five widely praised R&B albums. His first Christmas album was released immediately after his Sexiest Man Alive award.

Michael B. Jordan

Paul Rudd

One of the world's most popular actors, Paul Rudd, has been around for a long time now. The 52-year-old actor has played roles ranging from heartthrob to hero in films like "Clueless," "Friends," and the "Ant-Man" series.

Now, he's the Sexiest Man Alive. It was revealed in a parody sketch on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Tuesday night that Rudd was the recipient of the prize from People Magazine.

Paul