Whether your type is the rugged bad boy with tats or the shy one who sips a latte over a book, this list of steamy Hollywood hunks from the year you were born will have your heart beating double time.
1960 - 1961: Kirk Douglas
The gorgeous Lust for Life actor, Kirk Douglas, stole many hearts throughout his career. He spent years working with beautiful actresses who got to see him behind the scenes, as women all over the world melted from their theater seats.
Douglas's habit for swooning over women began when he entered showbusiness. He had many relationships during his time in the industry, some he didn't admit to until he was nearly one hundred years old! He told Celebrity Health News, "I was surrounded by beauty...like a kid in a candy store, not knowing which one to reach for."
1962 - 1963: Gregory Peck
Gregory Peck is known by many for his excellent bone structure and larger-than-life film roles. This includes his role as Atticus Finch in 1962s To Kill a Mockingbird. The film helped him become an Oscar-winning southern gentleman in the eyes of many and a title of "Greatest Film Hero of the Past One-Hundred Years."
If you were a youngin around this time, you might remember seeing one of his most memorable films, Twelve O'Clock High. For this, he received his fourth Oscar, but what's even more exciting is this: In later years, he blessed us with a handsome look-alike grandson named Ethan, who has since entered showbiz as well!
1964 - 1965: Sean Connery
The handsome Sean Connery blessed our screens as the original James Bond in the series's first five movies. He was widely known in the industry for his distinctively deep voice and tough appearance. And, in 1989, he rightfully won People's Sexiest Man Alive at fifty-nine years old.
Connery won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor before officially retiring from acting in 2006. At the end of his career, he admitted that he never dreamed of being an actor, but, thankfully for us, he took a shot at it anyway! Unfortunately, he passed away in 2020, but many felt he left a massive impact behind in Hollywood.
1966 - 1967: Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood, thought of by many as the poster boy for cowboy culture, starred in 1966's The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Many Hollywood fanatics believe he stayed so popular throughout the years due to his unforgettable performances in classic western movies and TV shows (and his killer gaze, of course).
Eastwood has several awards throughout his decades-long career for his work in front and behind the camera. But, above all, we believe he is most proud to have shared People's 2015 Sexiest Man Alive title with his son, Scott. Upon winning, Scott said, "My dad was always super-active and got me in the gym at a young age."
1968 - 1969: Sidney Poitier
The world reaped the benefits of the handsome Sidney Poitier as he established himself as a King in the industry. With the release of the films, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and In the Heat of the Night, in no time, the Bahamian-American actor and film director won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1964.
During the heyday of the "Ivy League Look" in the fashion world, Poitier sported button-downs, bowties, blazers, and grey flannel suits, just like any other clued-in working professional. And, he added our personal favorite accessories, his bright smile, and kind eyes.
1968 - 1969: Dustin Hoffman
The talented Dustin Hoffman gained fame from his debut role in the 1967 film, The Graduate. The humble and handsome actor has said that he believes it was by complete chance that he made a name for himself as a Hollywood legend, and even called it a "freak accident."
What wasn't an accident was his perfectly quaffed hair and ability to make our hearts melt. Hoffman won two Academy Awards for best actor, first in 1980 for Kramer vs. Kramer, and again in 1989 for Rain Man. He later learned that these wins were no mistake but small steps on his way to Hollywood stardom.
1970 - 1971: Richard Roundtree
Richard Roundtree was voted number thirty-eight on Essence's 2010 Sexiest Men of All Time list. But, this wasn't the first time people took notice of him. In the second film of his career, Richard proved that he didn't just have the looks, but the talent too, when he was awarded for his role as John Shaft in the 1971 movie, Shaft.
Reportedly, Richard felt that the role was his destiny and that he was handpicked for Shaft. "When I did Shaft, I was so happy to be working, and to have been a star of a major motion picture, I had no idea or concept of where it was going to go, and it turned out to be this huge film." What a humble, handsome Hollywood giant!
1972 - 1973: Roger Moore
Roger Moore made hearts thump as James Bond in the Bond series. According to an interview with Tanya Roberts, Moore's bond girl in 1985's A View to a Kill, "He was very good-looking with beautiful features and a gorgeous low voice...But above all, he was a real gentleman, sophisticated and fun, with a very positive energy."
How wonderful to hear that Roger was as sweet in person as he was in our dreams! Another bond girl, Britt Ekland, who starred in 1974's The Man with the Golden Gun, said, "There were many reasons to adore Roger. He was such fun; he was very tall and very handsome; he was a kind, class act who made filming a joy."
1974 - 1975: Robert Redford
In 1973, Redford gave us The Sting. In 1974, The Way We Were. So, with two arguably game-changing films, Robert became the guy for anyone with the hots for blonde hair and blue eyes. His style consisted of floppy blonde hair with a wardrobe that mixed some of his fashion staples like denim, white t-shirts, and tweed jackets.
Is anyone else blushing? In 2016 Vogue labeled Redford Hollywood's Most Stylish Man. The announcement said, "From the carefully curated wardrobes of his characters to the casual sportswear he favored in his day-to-day life, he mastered a look that appeared uncomplicated yet served to inform the era's ideals of masculine dressing."
1974 - 1975: Jack Nicholson
Many believe that Nicholson ushered in a new heartthrob era with his role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. But, in 1975, he revealed to People that he felt desperate feelings of need as a young man. He tried to "Relate to women by trying to please them as if my survival depended on them." Then, he began to focus inward.
His live-in eldest daughter probably thought he was cuckoo when he told Rolling Stone that he spent three months walking around naked in his home in 2006. He admitted, "I'm self-conscious about body image. I don't have a great body shot...I just wanted to be more relaxed within my skin." We get it, Jack! You do you boo!
1976 - 1977: John Travolta
When People asked the late Kelly Preston what the best part of being married to Travolta was, she replied, "There's too many best things. His lips, dancing, fun, laughing." After her tragic passing earlier this year, the handsome John was dubbed The Sexiest Actor Alive by Glamour in December 2020 for its January 2021 issue.
Throughout the ’70s, Travolta's handsome style extended past his typical boxy leather jacket, open-collared red shirt, and black, slim-cut jeans. He mixed denim and velvet, Canadian tuxedos of denim on denim, and a classic white scarf for an accessory. Boy did this ocean blue-eyed Hollywood hunk capture hearts!
1978 - 1979: Steve Martin
Here's something you may not have known about comedian Steve Martin: He graced the 1980 cover of Playboy magazine! This iconic statement made many feel it was one of the most memorable issues of Playboy to date. The actor, writer, producer, and musician went prematurely grey and became a silver fox at around the age of thirty.
This look was followed by a head of snow-white hair that he embraced and absolutely rocked by 1985-86. He fully embraced his new look and avoided coloring his hair throughout the years to hide its natural color. We don't know about you, but it's suddenly getting a little hot in here...
1980 - 1981: Harrison Ford
The chiseled Harrison Ford was the oldest man to be deemed People's sexiest man alive in 1998. It was reported that when he won, he said, "I never feel sexy. I have a distant relationship with the mirror." Although he was older than other winners, boy did people believe that his dreamy gaze and strong jawline deserved it!
Melanie Griffith, his costar in 1988's Working Girl recalled, "He's just so handsome and sweet and elegant and cool and macho." According to People, Ford attributes his lasting success to his lack of trendiness: "I think the reason I'm still here is that I was never enough in fashion that I had to be replaced by something new."
1982 - 1983: Matt Dillon
According to Gr8r Days, Matt Dillon, one of the boys in both 1983s The Outsiders and Rumble Fish, created an image as a "tough, strong-and-silent sex symbol, a status that was only enhanced by a neverending stream of pouty teen-mag pinups and covers." Dillon created an image that women swooned over for years.
Matt told PopSugar that his secret to staying young is, "Like a two-fold thing. There's the physical stuff, and then there's the internal stuff. For me, I try to physically stay in shape, and what I mean is that I'm not that consistent, but you just don't let yourself go." If one thing is for sure, it's that Matt's secret worked!
1984 - 1985: Prince
From his earliest days in the public eye back in the '70s, Prince awed audiences and took over the stage with his dynamic, vivid fashion sense and his glamorous array of looks. The Purple Rain star had bodies screamin' worldwide by 1984 with his expressive lyrics, dance moves, and personality.
Thought of by many as one of the biggest pop stars in the world, society's infatuation with Prince may have stemmed from his outlandish yet expressive attire both on and off stage. Whether he wore a pink and purple sequined jumpsuit, crop top, or a ruffled shirt with a pearl-studded pastel jacket, all eyes were on him.
1986 - 1987: Tom Cruise
Not only is he a handsome man with great hair and dreamy eyes, he has a track record of being a real gem of a guy. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Drew Goddard said, "I've never met a more enthusiastic, creative, and supportive person...He has that energy...it's wonderful."
Tom Cruise (and his cute smirky smile) has continuously stolen the hearts of his fans throughout the years. He is widely known for one of his most memorable roles as Maverick in 1986s Top Gun. In 1990, he was voted People’s Sexiest Man Alive, which, we have to say, we understand the win.
1986 - 1987: Patrick Swayze
Patrick Swayze utilized his role in 1987's Dirty Dancing to establish himself as an ultimate romantic leading man. Women from all specs of life fell in love with his dance moves, floppy hair, and his ability to gracefully lift Jennifer Grey right off her feet and over his head in the classic Dirty Dancing scene.
It was possibly this role that was the main reason behind his 1991 portfolio booster as People's sexiest man alive. In 2020, Grey spoke to People about the rumors of a Dirty Dancing 2 release. She said, "All I can say is there is no replacing anyone who's passed, you never try to repeat anything that's magic like that.
1988 - 1989: Bruce Willis
From the beginning of his career in Hollywood in 1980 until now, Willis has starred in over one hundred films. But, for those hearts that didn't fall in love with him on the screen (which seemed unlikely, but to each their own), many fell in love with the powerful words in his music.
When he expanded from film to music, he released nearly twenty songs, many of which became hits. As fans were quoting his famous movie lines, they were also learning and singing the words to Save the Last Dance for Me, Under the Boardwalk, Respect Yourself, Comin Right Up, and others.
1990 - 1991: Richard Gere
Gere's role in Pretty Woman established him as the quintessential fancy-man, capable of declaring love, and most importantly, showing up on a fire escape holding flowers. He must have carried those moves over into his relationship. Because in 1993 and '94, Gere and Cindy Crawford were voted People's Sexiest Couple Alive.
In 1999, Richard, the accomplished actor and producer, stole People's hearts again. At the ripe age of fifty, he won the title of Sexiest Man Alive. From his flowing hair to his great style, his soft eyes to his seemingly sweet personality on screen, we're not that surprised by People's pick!
1992 - 1993: Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp won not just one but two year's worth of People's Sexiest Man Alive. The first win came in 2003, just as he was taking on his role of Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. The second win came in 2009 when Depp was forty-nine years old but was still winning over hearts across the seas.
We can't decide if it was more so his perfectly styled hair with the little Superman loop or his chiseled bone structure that stole our hearts more. Or, if it was his hilariously entertaining role on screen as Captain Sparrow. Either way, we're thankful for the laughs and his adorable boyish face.
1994 - 1995: Brad Pitt
Another two-time winner of People's Sexiest Man Alive is the stunning and seemingly-never-really-aging Brad Pitt. He was first given the title in 1995 as his hair began to grow past his shoulders in that beach-boy type style. And, five years later, at thirty-seven years old, he took the title again in 2000.
Brad Pitt established himself as a go-to babe in Thelma & Louise long before Interview With a Vampire in 1994. After the magic of those films wore off, he returned to our hearts with The Devil's Own and Ocean's 11. Basically, Brad Pitt transcends time. He is somewhere, everywhere, all the time. But, we're not complaining!
1996 - 1997: Denzel Washington
Think back to 1996. Sure, the eye-catching Denzel Washington was already a leading man, but between Courage Under Fire and The Preacher's Wife that year, many felt that he set himself up for a lifetime of whatever-role-he-may-be-into. Plus, be brought so much handsomeness to the screen, almost unfair levels of handsomeness.
A fellow actor and close friend of Washington's, Regina Taylor, once defined him in three words: "Ingenuity, style, and intelligence." This rang true in 1996 when Denzel won the title of People's Sexiest Man Alive. Whether their deciding factor was his dreamy gaze or strong voice, we agree.
1996 - 1997: Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio won over the hearts of nearly everyone in the world when the romantic film Titanic was released in 1997. From his boyish charm and great dance moves to the steamy boat scene with costar Kate Winslet, it's no wonder he was one of the significant heartthrobs of this time. No shame, we totally had his poster on our wall.
For the slightly older crowd of the time, the gorgeous George Clooney won over hearts high and low. He was voted 1997's Sexiest Man Alive and was described by his costar Laura Innes as, "Very sexy but also endearing, like family." Because once wasn't enough, he was voted SMA again in 2006.
1998 - 1999: Will Smith
The hilarious Will Smith was already famously known by the lot as the Fresh Prince during this time. But, his roles in 1997's Men in Black and 1999's Wild Wild West led the young heartthrob to two box office successes. Little did he know at this time that the Men in Black series would alter his acting career's future.
Around 1999 Will took his talents (including his gorgeous face) into new territory and ventured into the world of music. He didn't leave acting behind but proved that he was a multitasker that would soon become a huge success. In 1999 Columbia Records released Smith's second studio album, Willennium.
2000 - 2003: Paul Walker
One year before The Fast and the Furious, we met the stunning blonde-haired blue-eyed hottie Paul Walker in The Skulls. So while he'd appeared in more than a few teen productions before that, many believed this marked the beginning of his acting empire.
Many obsessed over his rugged yet kind personality and impressive driving skills in the Fast and Furious series in the years to come. (We miss you, Paul!) Other heartthrobs at the time included That 70's Show, Ashton Kutcher, and Orlando Bloom, who featured in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
2004 - 2007: Patrick Dempsey
Although many may know this gorgeous specimen of a human being from the '80s, we find it necessary to give a round of applause to Patrick Dempsey for his 2007 resurgence at the hands of Grey's Anatomy. Ultimately, without him, there would be no McDreamy. And, without McDreamy, Grey's would have never been the same.
Other heart-stoppers at the time were the eye-catching Ryan Gosling and Channing Tatum. Not only was Gosling finding his place in showbiz at this time he had also put out a solo recording called Put Me in the Car that was released in 2007. Tatum showed us some amazing footwork in Step Up in 2006 and Step Up 2 in 2008...enough said.
2008 - 2011: Robert Pattinson
The handsomely blue-eyed Robert Pattinson starred in the Twilight series, which consisted of five movies released between 2008-2012. For those who don't know or are looking for a refresher: In the films, Robert plays Edward, a steamy and mysterious vampire.
It's natural for Pattinson's productions of Twilight to cause fans to fall in love with his character. For some, like Pattinson's Water for Elephants costar Donna Scott, admiration happens in person too. When asked him, Scott told PopSugar, "He's so sweet and he's a tender person." And, we believe her because...just look at him.
2012 - 2015: David Beckham
When the gorgeous soccer star, David Beckham, won People's Sexiest Man Alive in 2015, TIME reported that he said, "I never feel that I'm an attractive, sexy person." He continued, "I mean I like to wear nice clothes and nice suits and look and feel good, but I don't ever think of myself that way." What a humble beauty!
Some soccer fans believe that Beckham is perhaps the most handsome and media-friendly player in history. Man, his wife Victoria Beckham sure is a blessed woman to have created such a gorgeous family with this stunner! And, there's no doubt about it, they got the picture-perfect thing down.
2016 - 2019: Idris Elba
When People Magazine told Idris Elba that he had won 2018's Sexiest Man Alive, he beamed. He said that he looked in the mirror and said to himself: "Yes, you look a little sexy today." When People asked what his SMA advice was for his successor, John Legend, he responded, "Just enjoy it. Try not to be sexy, just be you."
Other beautiful men that stole hearts during this time were People's 2019 Sexiest Man Alive winner, John Legend. The list continues with Zac Efron, because, duh; and finally, the hulk-like Jason Momoa. Jason starred in eight productions that year including, several Aquaman short films. All we have to say is thank you, 2019!
2020: Michael B. Jordan
When People told Michael B. Jordan that he won 2020's Sexiest Man Alive, the first people he told were the women in his family, and said they, "Are definitely proud of this one." He then shared some advice, "You've got to just believe in yourself and do what you feel is really right. I think that adds up and builds confidence."
Although he's been around for a while, Michael has finally transitioned into big-budget films. In 2019, Jordan put his talent on display in Just Mercy and produced his own Netflix series called Raising Dion. If you're like us, we're all on the edge of our couches to see what these gorgeous Hollywood heartthrobs accomplish next!