At long last, Patrick Dempsey has been crowned People’s Sexiest Man Alive
In news that will have Grey’s Anatomy devotees yelling “duh,” Patrick Dempsey has been crowned People’s Sexiest Man Alive. The honor is long overdue — Dempsey has even appeared on the cover twice in years prior next to winners George Clooney and Matt Damon back in 2006 and 2007 — but it seems 2023 is finally his year to shine.
Of his big win, Dempsey told the magazine that the only people more surprised by the news than he himself were his wife, Jillian, and kids Talula, 21, and 16-year-old twins Sullivan and Darby. “I was completely shocked, and then I started laughing, like, this is a joke, right? I’ve always been the bridesmaid,” he said with a laugh. “I’d completely forgotten about it and never even contemplated being in this position. So my ego is good.”
As for how his kids will react to seeing their dad’s face all over the internet and on newsstands, he says they’re “just going to make fun of me and pick on me and figure out every reason why I shouldn’t be. Which is good, they keep me young. I think everyone’s gonna give me a hard time, which they should. I’m glad it’s happening at this point in my 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.”
The 57-year-old is using the opportunity to promote his work with the Dempsey Center, an organization that provides support and resources to cancer patients and survivors and their loved ones. He founded the organization in 2008 after his mom’s struggle with ovarian cancer, and has worked closely with people impacted by cancer after her death in 2014.
Aside from charming viewers on the big and small screen, the Maine native is both a professional juggler and a racing enthusiast. And now he can add People’s Sexiest Man Alive to his long list of professional accolades. “I’ve got the bumper stickers, T-shirts, posters,” he joked.
All jokes aside, Dempsey loves spending time with his family more than anything else. “When we’re together as a family, and we’re all happy and having fun. Those are the greatest moments.”
