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Since 1985, when Mel Gibson first took the title, the magazine has been naming Hollywood’s most attractive men each year.
WASHINGTON — Jonathan Bailey, celebrated for his role in “Wicked,” has been named People’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025.
The announcement came on Monday from People Magazine, which annually designates a selection of celebrities as contenders for this prestigious title. The recognition factors in both physical appeal and charitable contributions.
Bailey’s win marks a milestone as he becomes the first openly gay man to earn this distinction.
The 37-year-old British actor, known for his portrayal of Fiyero in the “Wicked” films, revealed the news during an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Monday night. He is also widely recognized for his performances in the second season of Netflix’s “Bridgerton,” Showtime’s “Fellow Travelers,” and his thriving career in theater.
The magazine has been crowning Hollywood’s best-looking man since 1985, when Mel Gibson first won the title. Past honorees include Patrick Dempsey, John Legend, Dwayne Johnson, Idris Elba, Adam Levine, Richard Gere, Channing Tatum and David Beckham.
Bailey inherited the title from John Krasinski, who was named 2024’s Sexiest Man Alive.
Only three men have held the title twice: Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Johnny Depp. In 1993, Richard Gere also made the list for a second time, but was honored alongside his then wife Cindy Crawford for a Sexiest Couple Alive edition.
In 1994, the magazine did not select a Sexiest Man Alive, but the spot was filled more than two decades later as Keanu Reeves was retroactively honored in 2015.
Sexiest Man Alive:
- 1986: Mark Harmon
- 1987: Harry Hamlin
- 1988: John F. Kennedy Jr.
- 1989: Sean Connery
- 1990: Tom Cruise
- 1991: Patrick Swayze
- 1992: Nick Nolte
- 1993: Richard Gere & Cindy Crawford (Sexiest Couple Alive)
- 1994: No selection (Keanu Reeves was retroactively named in 2015)
- 1995: Brad Pitt
- 1996: Denzel Washington
- 1997: George Clooney
- 1998: Harrison Ford
- 1999: Richard Gere
- 2000: Brad Pitt (2nd time)
- 2001: Pierce Brosnan
- 2002: Ben Affleck
- 2003: Johnny Depp
- 2004: Jude Law
- 2005: Matthew McConaughey
- 2006: George Clooney (2nd time)
- 2007: Matt Damon
- 2008: Hugh Jackman
- 2009: Johnny Depp (2nd time)
- 2010: Ryan Reynolds
- 2011: Bradley Cooper
- 2012: Channing Tatum
- 2013: Adam Levine
- 2014: Chris Hemsworth
- 2015: David Beckham
- 2016: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
- 2017: Blake Shelton
- 2018: Idris Elba
- 2019: John Legend
- 2020: Michael B. Jordan
- 2021: Paul Rudd
- 2022: Chris Evans
- 2023: Patrick Dempsey
- 2024: John Krasinski
- 2025: Jonathan Bailey
