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Patrick Dempsey Getty 1.jpg

Patrick Dempsey Is People’s 2023 Sexiest Man Alive, Because Nostalgia and Marketing Rules All

By Kayleigh Donaldson | TV | November 8, 2023 |

By Kayleigh Donaldson | TV | November 8, 2023 |

Patrick Dempsey Getty 1.jpg

It’s that time of year again. People are declaring their sexiest man alive for a new reign of hotness. There were certainly some good candidates for our King of Loin-Tingling. Many expected Pedro Pascal to add the honour to his bulging daddy shelf, while others assumed it would be another Chris because we seemingly never run out of those. People was never going to go for an internet boyfriend like Jeremy Allen White or baby faced boy like Timothee Chalamet. They know their lane and they stick to it. By that definition, I was sure it was going to be Ryan Gosling, but they missed the Barbie train by a few months. So, this year’s selection wasn’t surprising given their restrictions, but it did feel a few years too late.

Yup, it’s Patrick Dempsey. McDreamy himself. Sure.

Let’s look at the positives. It is pretty dang cool that the Sexiest Man Alive is 57, and while he’s clearly not skipping the gym, it’s nice to see someone who isn’t impossibly muscled on the cover. And it’s always an improvement on Blake Shelton. Jeez, remember that? Still, this isn’t one people were predicting or necessarily hoping for (no offence to Mr. Dempsey.)

The People cover is a marketing opportunity more than a real award, obviously. It’s something that isn’t decided by democratic vote or even a following of trends. It’s a bunch of editors meeting with publicists with willing clients who have something to plug. Usually, it’s a movie. But hey, we’re in the middle of a SAG-AFTRA strike, and nobody is going to scab for a magazine cover. Dempsey, however, is in a movie with a guild exemption — Michael Mann’s Ferrari — meaning he can get his face out there as much as he wants (and let’s be honest here, they would never give this cover to Adam Driver, who would probably run away crying at the prospect of being marketed as a sex symbol.) Dempsey is a known race-car lover who has driven competitively, which not only ties into Ferrari but gives him something non-SAG-AFTRA related to plug. Side hustles for the win.

So, there’s the big one ticked off: a tie-in promo with an eager client. Dempsey is willing and able. He’s also probably a very familiar face to the demographic of readers who still buy the physical edition of People, thanks to the never-ending series that is Grey’s Anatomy. Granted, he hasn’t been on that show in a while, but ask 10 people who Patrick Dempsey is and I guarantee you the vast majority of them will immediately say ‘McDreamy.’ It’s the show that will be the first thing mentioned in his obituary for a reason, having pushed him back into the spotlight following two decades as a reliable jobbing actor. He was the break-out male part, and the most desirable guy for a long time. His tenure on Grey’s was dominated by headlines about his hotness. Frankly, it’s a surprise he didn’t get the People SMA title at least a decade ago. He was second a couple of times, though.


But traditional publishing has long been behind the curve for a reason. It’s what sells. It’s safe, and Dempsey is certainly a safe pick by those rules. Again, he’s a handsome white guy whose life has been controversy-free. He’s been married to his wife for close to 25 years, and they have three kids. He’s got some awards on his shelf, he loves auto racing, and he does a ton of charity work for cancer research (that last part is notably included in the brief write-up of the SMA announcement.) I’ve joked before that the Sexiest Men Alive slate is full of guys who would be in Lisa Simpson’s non-threatening boys magazines, but it’s true, although maybe this choice is more for Marge.

Despite use of the word ‘sexiest’, the People agenda isn’t really about sex. I wouldn’t say there are a lot of SMA winners who have been sold on these covers as raw, sweaty hotties. They’re far more likely to be wearing a sensible sweater and smiling in an approachable manner, a notable contrast to how men’s magazines sell sexy women. Look at Patrick in his denim shirt with his fancy watch! Check him casually walking barefoot on the beach with a jacket on hand just in case. He’s not going to From Here to Eternity you on the sand, but he’ll definitely make sure you’re not too cold and point out that lovely sunset.

I personally think we should delete all early 2000s nostalgia because I refuse to accept that it was two decades ago, but it is true that there is a weird online hunger for that era. Viewing the Bush-Blair years through rose-tinted glasses is far more fun when you’re focusing on bad movies and low-waisted jeans than the war on terror. Grey’s Anatomy has never truly stopped being a ratings hit for ABC, even if it’s not at its cultural peak, and a lot of people are coming back to the show, especially after lockdown-era binge-watches. I wouldn’t be surprised if a whole new audience discovered McDreamy and latched onto him. By that logic, expect the guys from Suits to be on the 2024 cover.

So, enjoy your rule, oh benevolent sexy king Patrick Dempsey. Use your power wisely. We’ll just be over here looking at Pedro Pascal again…