Patrick Dempsey Is Finally PEOPLEs 2023 Sexiest Man Alive Ive Always Been the Bridesmaid He Jokes

"I'm glad it's happening at this point in my life," says the 'Ferrari' actor. "Its nice to have the recognition, but gives me the platform to use it for something positive."

Julie Jordan is an Editor at Large for PEOPLE. She has been with the brand for 25 years, writing cover stories and features and managing special issues including the Beautiful Issue and Sexiest Man Alive.

Its been almost two decades since Patrick Dempsey sauntered onto the small screen as neurosurgeon Derek McDreamy Shepherd on ABCs Greys Anatomy (even longer since his breakthrough role as an endearing outcast in 1987s Cant Buy Me Love).

His heartthrob status created such a fan frenzy that he graced the pages of this very issue countless times over the years. Now hes taking home the Sexiest Man Alive crown.

Im glad its happening at this point in my life, the Maine native, 57, tells PEOPLE in this weeks cover story. Its 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.

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