Every year, People magazine designates a musician or actor as the World’s Most Desirable Man, which earns him the devotion of countless fans. This article presents a collection of photographs featuring past and present winners of the award, including Mark Harmon and Tom Cruise. Keep reading to find out if your favorite actor or musician made it onto the list of the world’s most desirable men.
Mark Harmon Then
Mark Harmon is best known for playing Leroy Gibbs in NCIS. However, his portrayal of a character in St. Elsewhere, a series from 1982, led him to be named as the Most Desirable Man Alive in 1986.
The actor continued to appear in four installments of the legal series The West Wing and received an Emmy nomination for his impressive performance in this highly-rated show, which currently stands as the third longest-running TV series being broadcasted worldwide.
Mark Harmon Now
Harmon appears to be in good shape and could still be a subject of interest for women across the globe. He concluded his stint on NCIS only in 2021.
We all hope that he gets another acting job soon because we cannot get enough of this wonderful person. His eyes, in particular, are very appealing to us.
Sean Connery Then
Sean Connery, who was born in Edinburgh, began his acting career in the movie Lilacs in the Spring in 1954. He became the first actor to play the role of James Bond and gained enormous popularity among women due to his rugged appearance and strong Scottish accent.
The gorgeous Scotsman would play this role seven more times, and every time he would gain a multitude of new admirers who were captivated by his charming old-fashioned Scottish personality.
Sean Connery Now
The actor is known to have played various memorable roles in movies like The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Entrapment and the revered classic movie, The Hunt for Red October. These performances will be more familiar to younger viewers. In the movie, he portrayed the character of Marko Ramius, a submarine captain.
In 2020, Sean Connery died at the age of 90 due to pneumonia and a known cardiac illness. He left behind a son and grandson. We will miss you, Mr. Connery, Sean Connery.
Tom Cruise Then
Although Tom Cruise’s infamous couch-jumping scene on Oprah may be hard to erase from memory, it’s not the primary reason for his fame. His breakthrough role in the film Risky Business in 1983 catapulted him to stardom, and he became a household name after starring in the 1986 blockbuster, Top Gun.
As a result of portraying this character, he gained recognition as one of Hollywood’s most impressive performers and was given the designation of “People’s Most Desirable Man Alive” in 1990. With his youthful appearance and captivating grin, Mr. Cruise stirred the hearts of female admirers from all over the globe.
Tom Cruise Now
Despite experiencing some unpleasant separations, the celebrity has remained active in the entertainment industry and was recently featured in the newest sequel to one of the greatest 80s films, Top Gun: Maverick, where Cruise returns to play Lt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.
We are eagerly anticipating Tom Cruise’s upcoming performances as he prepares to tackle fresh and thrilling characters in the forthcoming Mission Impossible films scheduled to release in 2023 and 2024.
Patrick Swayze Then
In 1987, Patrick Swayze starred in the popular movie Dirty Dancing, and his dance skills were highly admired by everyone. His role in this film made him famous and also endeared him to women around the world. Swayze became a heartthrob and people just couldn’t get enough of him!
His part in the film Ghost, co-starring with Demi Moore, firmly established his appeal, and he was awarded the title of Most Wanted Man Alive in 1991, which would increase his global fan base.
Patrick Swayze Now
Patrick Swayze, acclaimed for his appearances in some of the most romantic films ever made, sadly passed away in Los Angeles, California during September of 2009, after facing a brief yet arduous struggle with advanced pancreatic cancer.
The celebrity was aged 57 and passed away, leaving behind his spouse Lisa Niemi with whom he had been in a relationship for 34 years since meeting at the age of 18 in 1970. Although they had no children, they shared many joyful years together.
Nick Nolte Then
Nick Nolte, a talented actor who has won both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award, earned the title of People magazine’s Most Desirable Man Alive in 1992 thanks to his remarkable performance in the movie The Prince of Tides back in 1991. Additionally, his portrayal in the film awarded him with the Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama Golden Globe Award.
After achieving success in the early 90s, Nolte appeared in numerous other movies, among them being Hulk and Tropic Thunder, both of which were highly successful at the box office.
Nick Nolte Now
Nolte, who is still in the acting business, has starred in successful films such as The Padre from 2018 and his latest movie, Rittenhouse Square, which was released in 2020. In this current film, Nolte portrays the character of a homeless veteran who is struggling to steer himself towards the light after a difficult past.
Nick’s appearance may have changed as he aged, but he still retains some of the rugged features that made him a popular Hollywood actor a few decades ago. It remains to be seen how the actor’s career will evolve after his recent diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Richard Gere Then
If you have watched any movie featuring Richard Gere, you would comprehend why he was named as the Most Desirable Man Alive in 1993. Additionally, Richard Gere was recognized again by People magazine as the titleholder in 1999.
Gere co-starred with Julia Roberts in the 1990 movie Pretty Woman, winning the adoration and admiration of numerous fans who were convinced that even older men possess significant desirability.
Richard Gere Now
The actor has millions of fans across the globe and is still considered a Hollywood heartthrob, thanks to his appearances in films like Runaway Bride, Autumn in New York and Shall We Dance?. He has kept up with his acting career.
The audience of the popular actor is excitedly anticipating his upcoming performance in the movie ‘Maybe I Do’ with Emma Roberts, Julia Roberts’ niece, in 2023. They are hoping that this role will be just as successful as his previous one in ‘Pretty Woman.’ Additionally, they are interested in seeing if Emma Roberts can live up to her aunt’s legacy.
Keanu Reeves Then
In 1994, Keanu Reeves began his acting career with the film Speed. Although his performance in that movie earned him the title of People’s Most Desirable Man Alive, the magazine didn’t bestow the honor until the following year because they skipped 1994. Reeves is a humble actor who started his career with this successful action film.
Reeves has had a successful acting profession, featuring in notable films such as The Matrix trilogy, the John Wick franchise, and the popular movie The Advocate. In the latter, he portrayed the character of Kevin Lomax, a covetous lawyer, opposite notable stars Al Pacino and Charlize Theron.
Keanu Reeves Now
Fans of Reeves can look forward to him reprising his role as John Wick in 2023 when the fourth movie in the series is released. Fans of the John Wick movie franchise hope that the role will see Keanu’s acting career get a much-needed boost.
We have no doubt it’ll be as successful as the previous three movies were and lead to many more roles for this Hollywood heartthrob.Considered one of the nicest guys in Tinseltown, the actor lives a quiet life away from the public eye.
Brad Pitt Then
Brad Pitt earned himself the title of Most Desirable Man Alive in 1995 after he became a household name for his roles in the hot movies Legends of the Fall and Interview With a Vampire.
Pitt, too, earned the title of Most Desirable Man Alive for the second time in 2000 after the release of his iconic movie Fight Club. The award came shortly after he was married to Jennifer Aniston, and it was his divorce from Aniston that saw him lose fans.
Brad Pitt Now
Pitt is still seen as hot property in Hollywood. While his personal life leaves much to be desired, his career is still going. Brad Pitt can be seen in the upcoming Indiana Jones movie in 2023, which is rumored to be another award-winning film.
It was his role in Mr. & Mrs. Smith that would cause the breakdown of his marriage to Jennifer Aniston as he went on to have a relationship (and children) with co-star Angelina Jolie. While his divorce saw the world divided, he’s enjoyed much success in Hollywood and is still one of the most desirable men in the world.
Denzel Washington Then
In a move that surprised absolutely everyone in Hollywood, People magazine named Denzel Washington as their Most Desirable Man Alive in 1996. While he was already considered hot property in the movie industry, the award only further catapulted Washington’s fame and popularity.
He was the first actor of color to be bestowed the title, giving him worldwide recognition for his amazing acting abilities and talents that made him the award-winning movie star he is today.
Denzel Washington Now
You can enjoy Denzel’s incredible acting skills in the movies Malcolm X, Remember the Titans, where he played the role of Coach Herman Boone, and the 2021 movie The Little Things.
Denzel will soon star in the hit movie Equalizer 3, which is set to hit the big screen in 2023 and is rumored to be one of the year’s hottest movies. Be sure to catch this one on the big screen as the actor reprises his role as hotshot Robert McCall.
George Clooney Then
We all knew and loved Dr. Doug Ross in the 90’s hospital drama, E.R. The role of Doug Ross was George Clooney’s first major role and helped him become People’s Most Desirable Man Alive in 1997. With his incredible looks and cool charm, the actor won the hearts of many women.
He was awarded the title again in 2006. This time, however, it was for his role in Ocean’s Twelve that had women swooning and voting for him in the polls. Clooney went on to play Batman in the film remake of Batman and Robin, a role that saw Clooney take on a darker side as the masked hero.
George Clooney Now
Clooney is still considered hot property and has starred in feature films like Ocean’s Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen. His most recent role was in 2022’s Ticket to Paradise alongside Julia Roberts. We can never get enough of George, so this film was welcome!
Catch George Clooney in the 2023 movie The Boys in the Boat, which is a must-see for fans of this handsome actor. We love George Clooney and can’t wait to see him on the big screen soon as he’s set to star in another movie next year.
Harrison Ford Then
Harrison Ford’s role as adventurer Indiana Jones earned him the coveted title of Most Desirable Man Alive in 1998, and by looking at the picture of him on the cover of People magazine, it’s clear why.
Ford has enjoyed great success from his role as Indiana Jones and will soon star in the latest and long-awaited adventure movie set to be released in 2023. It’ll be interesting to see the role he plays in the film as he’s now 80 years old.
Harrison Ford Now
This hunky actor has been in the acting business for many decades with movies like Star Wars, Blade Runner, and romcom Sabrina under his belt. He most recently starred in 2020’s Call of the Wild.
Harrison has a large female fan following and is still considered by many to be handsome at the ripe age of 80. We have to say, he doesn’t look a day over 65, though, and still has millions of women hot under the collar. What’s your secret, Mr. Ford?
Pierce Brosnan Then
Do you know Pierce Brosnan for his recurring role as James Bond, or was it his appearance in the musical Mamma Mia that really got your tongue wagging? Either way, we know we love this guy!
Whatever it was, People magazine (and the world) agreed and named this good-looking actor as their Most Desirable Man Alive in 2001 when the heartthrob was 48 years old. Thankfully, age isn’t a factor when People makes their choice, and many women love the charm of an older man.
Pierce Brosnan Now
Despite his age, Brosnan maintains the looks he’s known for and is still a favorite for many fans around the world, even though his acting roles are not as frequent these days.
Catch him in Mamma Mia 1 and 2 to see him singing his heart out alongside Meryl Streep and Cher in a role that takes him away from his Bond persona. The actor can also be seen in 2022’s hit film Black Adam which sees the actor play the role of Doctor Fate.
Ben Affleck Then
Mr. JLo, as he’s called by magazines and newspapers, was a movie star long before he met Jennifer Lopez or was named Most Desirable Man Alive in 2002. It all started when he starred in the hit movie Good Will Hunting in 1997. But what really got us interested was his role in Pearl Harbor in 2001.
On the wave of his popularity as one of the hottest actors in Hollywood at the time, Ben landed roles in Blockbuster films including The Sum of All Fears, Changing Lanes, and He’s Just Not That Into You.
Ben Affleck Now
The actor starred in many more movies like Gone Girl, and, most recently, the 2022 blockbuster movie Deep Water, where he plays handsome husband Vic van Allen alongside Ana de Armas.
2022 was also a big year for Affleck personally as he finally tied the knot with his old flame Jennifer Lopez. He’s set to star in the 2023 movie release Oppenheimer, so be sure to get your tickets to see Ben in action in what’s rumored to be one of the year’s best films.
Johnny Depp Then
Who’d have thought Edward Scissorhands would one day be named the Most Desirable Man Alive? But fast forward a good couple of years, and Depp was soon cast in the hit movie series, Pirates of the Caribbean. Who can forget Captain Jack Sparrow? We definitely can’t! And we can understand why People magazine gave the actor this coveted title in 2003.
2009 saw Johnny Depp once again reclaiming the title of Most Desirable Man Alive as he starred as the quirky lead in movies like Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sleepy Hollow, and everyone’s favorite, Corpse Bride. Is there such a thing as a bad Johnny Depp Movie? We definitely don’t think so!
Johnny Depp Now
It’s no secret that Johnny Depp is a favorite of director Tim Burton, as he’s played a leading role in no less than five of his movies. With his ability to play just about any character, Depp has starred in a number of the hit filmmakers’ movies, including voicing animated movies.
We can’t wait to see what this gorgeous man will get up to next! We know we’ll be in the front row when his new movie La Favorite is released in 2023. It’s sure to be a success and will be his long-awaited return to the screen after a messy, televised divorce from Amber Heard.
Jude Law Then
English actor Jude Law captivated audiences with his role in the early 2000s movie Closer alongside actress Natalie Portman. While he’d appeared in a few films before Closer, it was his role as Dan that really got people to notice this hunky actor.
This role would lead to the actor being named People’s Most Desirable Man Alive in 2004 and also gain him many new fans that couldn’t get enough of the British beau. 2006 saw the release of the movie The Holiday, where he starred alongside Cameron Diaz.
Jude Law Now
Jude Law kickstarted his career as a rom-com actor in movies like The Holiday, historical legend King Arthur, and most recently, the 2022 film Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, which was quite easily the best movie of the year and had fans eager to see their favorite actors on the big screen.
While the actor is great at acting, he’s not so good at relationships and is rather infamously known for cheating on his wife, Sadie Frost, with the family’s nanny. Naughty, naughty, Mr. Law!
Matthew McConaughey Then
It’s hard to imagine Matthew McConaughey in a movie where he’s not a charming, nice guy who tries his utmost to capture the heart and eye of the leading lady.
In fact, it was his roles in The Wedding Planner and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days that saw him earn the title of Most Desirable Man Alive in 2005, and set the bar really high for men worldwide as women melted at the thought of this gorgeous man.
Matthew McConaughey Now
Sadly, he’s taken and has been married to his wife Camilla Alves for a number of years. The couple has two children together. Oh, what we’d give to be married to this fella!
Matthew continues to act and recently starred in the movie Sing 2 in 2021. For those who haven’t seen it, he voices the character Buster Moon and delivers a spectacular performance in a movie that’s great for the whole family.
Matt Damon Then
Shy Matt Damon made his big screen debut in the 1997 movie Good Will Hunting as a shy mathematic genius. But this was just the beginning of a bustling career as Damon starred in Saving Private Ryan, Ocean’s Eleven, and of course, the Bourne trilogy.
Damon’s role as Jason Bourne led to him being named Most Desirable Man Alive in 2007 by People magazine, and it’s easy to see why when you look at pictures of this Hollywood hunk.
Matt Damon Now
Matt Damon now has three children with his wife Luciana Barroso. Since being named Most Desirable Man Alive, Damon has been in dozens of movies, including Contagion, Stillwater, and Invictus, which saw the actor bag an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Matt can be seen in the movie Oppenheimer due to be released in 2023. The movie also stars best friend and fellow Most Desirable Man Alive, Ben Affleck, who recently married on-again-off-again girlfriend Jennifer Lopez.
Hugh Jackman Then
Even if you’re not an X-Men fan, there’s no denying that Hugh Jackman is a talented actor and a truly handsome man. Playing the role of the mysterious Wolverine, the actor made his mark in the world of acting.
Crowned People’s Most Desirable Man Alive in 2008, the actor has gone on to make record-breaking movies like The Greatest Showman and The Son and will soon star in Deadpool 4 in 2024. Rumored to be one of the best movies of 2024, it’s a must-see for fans of the Deadpool franchise.
Hugh Jackman Now
We can’t wait to see Jackman once again star in a hit movie, and we still consider him as handsome today (and maybe even better looking) as he was in 2008.
He can be seen on big screens in the upcoming movies Ferrari in 2023 and the latest Deadpool movie in 2024. If we could, we’d have already bought our tickets. Can’t wait!
Ryan Reynolds Then
Ryan Reynolds’ role in Deadpool got tongues wagging and saw the actor being named People magazine’s Most Desirable Man Alive in 2010.
The actor also starred in The Proposal (alongside Sandra Bullock), the Deadpool movies, and in 2022’s hit movie The Bullet Train, in which he played a cameo role as the assassin Carver. For those who’ve seen the movie, you’ll know that Carver is the character who ultimately leads to Ladybug’s downfall.
Ryan Reynolds Now
Ryan is married to Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively and is known for his rather hilarious antics on Twitter and Instagram. There are great things ahead for him as his film career is far from over, as he recently starred in Free Guy, Red Notice, and 2022’s The Adam Project.
2024 is going to be a big year for Ryan as he stars in the fourth and long-awaited movie in the Deadpool series. We can’t wait! Plus, his wife is due with their fourth child in early 2023. Congratulations!
Bradley Cooper Then
We first saw Bradley Cooper when he starred in the movie The Hangover. While this wasn’t his biggest role to date, it’s one that helped him become People magazine’s Most Desirable Man Alive in 2011, so we recommend you give it a watch.
The talented actor is also known for his role in A Star Is Born with Lady Gaga, in which he played a lead role and a remake of the classic 80s TV show The A-Team in The A-Team movie.
Bradley Cooper Now
Look out for this stud in his upcoming movie Maestro which is set to be released in 2023 and promises to be a good one! With many hit movies under his belt, this actor is sure to grace our screens for decades to come as he takes on a host of different roles.
Catch him on a screen near you and see just why the folks at People magazine gave him this coveted title and why his fans all agree.
Channing Tatum Then
Who can forget Channing Tatum’s role in Magic Mike as a tantalizing stripper just trying to earn some money by flaunting his body? If we had his body, maybe we’d do it too!
You’ll be surprised to know that this isn’t the role that he’s most famous for, as he was featured in the Step Up movies just a few years before Magic Mike was released.
Channing Tatum Now
Named the Most Desirable Man Alive in 2012, the actor has played roles in movies like the hilarious 21 Jump Street, Dear John, and in 2022’s Bullet Train.
We hope that the rumors of a new Magic Mike movie are true and that we’ll once again get to see Tatum bare all on movie screens across the world, as he once again reprises his role as a male stripper out to make some money in a different way.
Adam Levine Then
Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine won the title of Most Desirable Man Alive in 2013, and one can clearly see why — that facial bone structure, cheeky smile, and stunning eyes! Following the success of the band’s album Songs About Jane, Levine and his bandmates became a household name across the world.
The singer’s also known for being a judge and coach on the singing competition The Voice. He still continues to record albums with his bandmates as hit music makers Maroon 5.
Adam Levine Now
Levine met and married South African model Behati Prinsloo in 2014 after a whirlwind romance, and the couple has two children together. While rumors abound that the singer has engaged in extramarital activities, Levine and his wife are still together and are working on their marriage.
He continues his career in music and is still a popular judge on the talent show The Voice, where he coaches up-and-coming singers.
Chris Hemsworth Then
Whether you love or hate The Avengers, we have no doubt that you know of Chris Hemsworth. Hemsworth was named People magazine’s Most Desirable Man Alive in 2014. Chris is the brother of fellow actor Liam Hemsworth, and it’s hard to choose who’s the most handsome among these gorgeous men!
The actor has enjoyed roles in The Avengers movies and, most recently, in the Thor movies as he portrays the title character. With his blond hair and blue eyes, Hemsworth has a massive fan following that includes women from every corner of the globe.
Chris Hemsworth Now
Check out his movies if you haven’t had the chance to see them yet, and you’ll understand why he won People magazine’s coveted title in 2014. If we had it our way, he’d be named Most Desirable Man Alive every year.
Hemsworth is set to star in Extraction 2 in 2023 and the new Star Trek movie in 2024. These roles will see Hemsworth step away from his Thor persona and will hopefully lead to many more types of characters.
David Beckham Then
This British athlete is known more for his good looks than his soccer career. He earned the title of Most Desirable Man Alive in 2015. With his rugged features and alluring British accent, Beckham had girls around the world feeling dizzy as they rushed out to buy merchandise with his face on it.
The title only made him more popular as he amassed a huge fan following around the world. But sadly, the dreams of these fans were shattered when the footballer met and married his wife in the late 90s.
David Beckham Now
Now married to former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, better known as Posh Spice, David and his family spend the majority of their blissful lives in L.A., building their own fashion and fragrance empires. Beckham retired from professional sports in 2013 at the age of 38.
Beckham is an all-around good guy and can often be seen making cute videos with his daughter Harper on Instagram. He focuses on being a great dad while still being involved in the sport that made him a household name.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Then
Former wrestler The Rock showed his soft side when he voiced the character Maui in 2016’s animated movie Moana. Known for his bad-boy persona and massive muscles, fans of the actor saw his softer side as he lent his voice to one of Disney’s most popular movies.
This role not only kickstarted his acting career but also saw him being named People’s Most Desirable Man Alive by the magazine in 2016.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Now
Johnson has starred in many more movies, including a role in the remake of Baywatch and the Jumanji series, in which he played the role of Dr. Smolder Bravestone, adventurer extraordinaire.
He can be seen in the upcoming Red One movie that’ll hit screens in 2023. We’re interested to see what’s next for this Hollywood powerhouse as he takes on more roles that are sure to make him more popular than ever!
Blake Shelton Then
Country singer and The Voice judge, Blake Shelton, earned himself the title of Most Desirable Man Alive by People magazine in 2017.While the singer wasn’t as popular then as he is today, he had a bevy of country-music fans hanging onto every word of the songs he belted out.
Recently married to No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani, Shelton has made a career from singing heartbreaking country songs that many can relate to. He’s released no less than 12 studio albums in a career that spans more than a decade.
Blake Shelton Now
He is indeed a looker and truly worthy of the title bestowed on him in 2017 as he continues with his successful singing career and his spot on the panel of judges for The Voice.
Shelton and his wife, Gwen Stefani, have released a number of songs together, and are known for their duet “You Make it Feel Like Christmas.” Be sure to give the song a listen this holiday season, and feel the love that the couple share.
Idris Elba Then
HBO’s series The Wire is where fans first got a glimpse of hotty Idris Elba as he played the role of second-in-command Stringer Bell. The show, and Idris, had viewers on the edge of their seats.
The third man of color to be named Most Desirable Man Alive on our list, Elba won the People magazine title in 2018, making him hot property in Hollywood.
Idris Elba Now
Elba can be seen in the series Luther, the movie Pacific Rim, and in 2022’s release of Three Thousand Years of Longing, which was considered his best role yet and came at a time when the world needed some comfort.
Treat yourself today and watch anything with Idris Elba in it to get your fix of this gorgeous man. You’ll soon understand just why this man is considered one of People magazine’s Most Desirable Men Alive and a feature in many women’s dreams.
John Legend Then
Singer and The Voice judge John Legend was named People’s Most Desirable Man Alive in 2019, which made him the fourth man of color to win the title. This would see the talented singer become even more popular than he was before.
While it’s clear that this man has the voice of an angel, he has the looks to boot! Women are weak in the knees when they catch him smiling. We wouldn’t mind John serenading us!
John Legend Now
John Legend is the fourth man of color to be named Most Desirable Man Alive and is married to model Chrissy Teigen. Following a tragic loss of pregnancy only a few years ago, the couple took a break to focus on their children, but have recently shared the happy news that they’re expecting another baby.
The couple has two children, with a third one arriving in early 2023. John’s model wife Teigen regularly stars in the singer’s music videos.
Michael B. Jordan Then
Black Panther actor Michael B. Jordan is the fifth, and most recent, man of color to be given the coveted title of Most Desirable Man Alive by People magazine. He earned this right in 2020. With his boyish looks and smooth voice, the actor is hot property right now.
Jordan played a leading role in Black Panther. The film has gone on to win many awards and amass an almost cult-like following from millions of fans around the world, as they all rush to cinemas to see the star in action.
Michael B. Jordan Now
Fans of the talented young actor can see him in both of the Black Panther movies and look forward to the many projects the actor is currently working on.
His next performance can be seen in Creed III, which is set for release in 2023 and is rumored to be one of the year’s best movies. The movie will see Jordan reprise his role as world-famous boxer Adonis Creed in the long-awaited third installment in the Creed franchise.
Paul Rudd Then
Does Paul Rudd ever age? Named People magazine’s Most Desirable Man Alive in 2021, the comedy actor doesn’t look a day over 25 and he still gets tongues wagging. Regularly featured in movies of the romantic-comedy genre, Rudd is known for his humor and good looks.
Rudd has starred in The Hangover, Knocked Up, and the 1995 classic teen movie Clueless. In fact, the latter was his first movie role. Clueless saw the actor star alongside Alicia Silverstone in the cult American classic.
Paul Rudd Now
Enjoy Paul Rudd in action on the hit series Parks & Recreation, for which he won a Critics Choice Award for a guest performance in a comedy series. Or see him take on a slightly different role in the 2015 movie Ant-Man.
He’s set to star in the sequel to Ant-Man in 2023, giving fans some clarity on what happens next in the story. Get ready to see Rudd in this long-awaited sequel to his biggest role yet, and get your tickets early. We can’t wait!
Chris Evans Then
Captain America actor Chris Evans has been given People magazine’s prized title of Most Desirable Man Alive in 2022. Born in 1981, the actor still has the boyish charm that made women around the world take note of this gorgeous man.
Known for his riveting role as Captain America in The Avengers series, 2019 saw a change for the actor as he hung up his shield to take on other movie roles. He can now be seen in more serious roles.
Chris Evans Now
Show hunky Chris Evans some love as you watch the entire Avenger series this weekend. Grab your popcorn and your friends, and binge-watch all of Chris Evans’ movies to celebrate his film career so far and prepare yourself for what’s still to come from Captain America himself.
Catch him in action in 2023 when he stars in the movie Red One alongside fellow Most Desirable Man Alive, Dwayne Johnson. The movie is rumored to be a big hit, so be sure to catch it in cinemas as soon as it’s released. We know we’ll be first in line at our local cinema!
Mel Gibson Then
Mel Gibson was crowned People magazine’s Most Desirable Man Alive in 1985. He was the first man to ever win the title, which came after his role in the Mad Max trilogy.
This role led to him being in numerous other well-known titles, including Lethal Weapon, Braveheart, and What Women Want.
Mel Gibson Now
Once known for his handsome features, the actor is now infamous for his controversial rants while on an adult beverage-fueled binge that was recorded for the world to see. What a complete shame!
Never mind, Mel, we still think you’re a pretty good-looking guy, even after all these years. We can’t say we love the drama that surrounds him, though. As long as he keeps up with his acting, we’re happy. He starred in seven films in 2022! Go, Mel!
Harry Hamlin Then
Fans of this 1987 winner of the People’s Most Desirable Man Alive title will remember him for his long-standing role in the law series L.A. Law, where he played the role of attorney Michael Kuzak.
Harry Hamlin went on to star in the popular teen detective series Veronica Mars where he played the role of Aaron Echolls, the washed-up father to Mars’ enemy Logan Echolls in the season one finale of the show. He was a major character in season two.
Harry Hamlin Now
He’s recently been seen in the drama series Flowers in the Attic, which was released this year, but there are no details available on any upcoming projects.
Hamlin is still considered hot property in the acting world and is one of Hollywood’s heartthrobs that’ll live in the hearts of female fans forever. Women just can’t seem to get enough of this Desirable Man, and eagerly await his next acting role.
Awards shows give stars a chance to claim recognition for their work and usually draw in large audiences at home, too. With events this huge, though, it’s impossible to avoid a few unforgettable moments. From unscripted bits to failed skits and even a few reactions, plenty of moments from awards shows live on years later.
Britney Spears’ Live Python
Over the years, Britney Spears has surprised fans again and again. She did it again in 2001 at the VMAs. During the performance of her song “Slave 4 U,” the pop star walked out with a giant, live python draped across her shoulders.
It’s a moment that’s hard to forget even though Spears told E! that she wouldn’t do it again and the stunt was “so dumb.” We’ll never forget the appearance of Banana the python.
Joe Jonas’ Glass Catastrophe
The 2007 AMAs were going pretty smoothly by the time the Jonas Brothers took to the stage. The trio was performing their song “S.O.S.”
To start things off with a bang, each brother opened by walking through a panel where glass had just shattered. The effect would have been safe if Joe Jonas hadn’t slipped as he was walking out, catching himself on a stage full of broken glass. The result was a sizeable cut on his hand.
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Today, if you settle down to watch an awards show, you can expect it to take a while. Most last up to three hours or even longer! In 1959, though, the Academy Awards actually fell short of the target run time of two hours.
Jerry Wald, the producer that year, kept cutting acts to stay on time. As a result, the last 20 minutes of the show became an effort in improv to keep everyone entertained to the end.
Angelina Jolie and Her Brother
The Academy Awards in the 2000s had plenty of winners but Angelina Jolie really managed to stand out that night. The actress was accepting an award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in the film Girl, Interrupted.
On the other hand, the crowd was a bit distracted from the moment when Jolie and her brother, James Haven, shared that night. It’s a pop culture moment the world hasn’t forgotten.
Helen Mirren Swears
It’s not infrequent to see censors go to work on bad language in a show or movie on TV. However, it’s a little harder for live events. That’s why you might hear a swear word or two that the censors weren’t quick enough to catch whilst watching an awards show.
At the Emmys in 2006, the audience at home was momentarily shocked when Dame Helen Mirren let loose a few curse words during her acceptance speech that snuck past the censors.
Judy Finnigan’s Wardrobe Mishap
All eyes are on the stars when they accept an award. However, they’re susceptible to mistakes and wardrobe malfunction as Judy Finnigan once learned.
The star was accepting an award with her husband, Richard Madeley, when her dress popped down, revealing her bra. While it took a few minutes to notice, Finnigan laughed it off after someone ran up to right the outfit. She exclaimed to the crowd, “I’m sorry about that, let’s try that again!”
A Snow White Misstep
In 1989, Robe Lowe was joined by Snow White on stage in a long, 11-minute skit that was supposed to feature Snow White coming to Hollywood. The audience was less than impressed.
Even worse, Walt Disney sued for the unauthorized use of their character — and Allan Carr, who wrote the number, took a lot of heat for the move. Many actors jumped on to sign a petition to the Academy Awards to never do anything like it in the future and Gregory Peck even contemplated returning his awards for the offense.
Aretha Franklin Steps In
It’s no secret that Aretha Franklin had a voice that could capture any audience. Her place in music history is cemented as the “Queen of Soul.”
At the 1998 Grammys, Aretha Franklin had the chance to stun audiences again when opera singer Pavarotti had to back out. It’s no small feat to step in for an opera singer but for the Queen of Soul, the show must go on. We’re sure the crowd wasn’t disappointed either.
Madonna Goes Flying
We’re sure that Edna Mode would have a lot to say about this Madonna performance at the 35th Brit Awards. The pop icon walked on stage with a massive cape. She walked up onto a podium on the stage and her dancers were meant to tear the cape off.
The only problem was the cape was secured a little too well and they just ended up dragging Madonna back down the stairs. Still, the singer got right back up and finished the song.
Julia Roberts’ Speech
The prospect of fitting enough “thank yous” in a short acceptance speech is intimidating. Even Julia Roberts had trouble with it in 2001. The actress won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Erin Brokovich.
The actress even tried to ask the Academy for more time but to no avail. Unfortunately, she issued an apology a few days later for forgetting to mention the real-life Erin Brokovich.
Playing Off Cuba Gooding Jr.
There’s a common move at awards shows when a star’s speech is running on a bit too long — just cue the music! Usually, the cue works.
In 1997, Cuba Gooding Jr. wasn’t about to stop before he was finished giving his speech, already noticing how short time was to thank everyone. As the music started to swell, the elated actor only got louder to shout the rest of his speech over the music before leaving the stage.
Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus
This award show moment came shortly after a Miley Cyrus interview involved critiquing Minaj’s previous comments about unfair judging at the VMAs. In the interview, Cyrus was quoted to say that Minaj’s comments were “just about herself.”
So, it was on the VMAs stage itself that Minaj infamously called Cyrus out with her, “Miley, what’s good?” comment. As for Cyrus, she brushed it off, moved on, and briefly blamed twisted words in the interview for the problem rather than addressing the situation directly.
David Letterman’s Awful Joke
David Letterman was tasked with hosting the Oscars in 1995. He kicked things off with a rather bizarre joke not many appreciated. In the joke, he pokes fun at a few actors with names he deems are “odd,” specifically referencing Uma Thurman, Oprah Winfrey, and Keanu Reeves.
The joke was ultimately uncomfortable rather than funny. Plus, it definitely didn’t help that none of the three were in on the joke — and Letterman had to find Thurman and Winfrey in the crowd, giving up completely on finding Reeves.
Jack Palance Proves a Point
Jack Palance was often known to play the rough-and-tumble characters or even outright villains, often in Westerns. As he got older, it seemed the actor was determined to prove he was still ready for these roles.
In case you didn’t believe him, he stopped his 1991 Oscars acceptance speech partway through to show his skill at pushups — including a few one-armed ones to prove a point. It wasn’t an approach anyone expected.
Ricky Gervais and ‘The Tourist’
The organizers of the 2011 Golden Globes turned to Ricky Gervais to host the show. True to form, the performance wasn’t without its risky jokes.
This included multiple jokes against The Tourist, a Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie movie that managed to win multiple nominations despite the movie not seeing that much success. Gervais joked about name recognition and outright bribes but the audience didn’t seem to love it.
Michael Jackson’s Misunderstanding
The 2002 VMAs included a huge misunderstanding. To celebrate his birthday, Britney Spears presented him with a statue and the awards show basically had a moment to honor him.
The only problem was Spears commented that Jackson was basically the artist of the millennium. In turn, that’s exactly the award Jackson assumed he was accepting and gave a speech to match. The only problem was the award he gave a speech for didn’t exist, leaving everyone confused.
Wrong One, Steve Harvey
Some awards show gaffs aren’t that bad. Others can really cause a problem for the event and the people involved. Adding a bit of drama to the 2015 Miss Universe competition, Steve Harvey announced Miss Colombia as the winner.
However, the real winner was the supposed runner-up, Miss Phillippines. Miss Colombia had already accepted the crown and started celebrating when Harvey reappears with an awkward announcement. We can’t imagine what that must have been like for either of these competitors.
Something Missing
Sometimes, the things that stand out about awards shows don’t have to do with the stars. It takes a lot to plan a successful event! In 2018, the Academy Awards might have forgotten something important.
They switched out the traditional choice of a podium for a standing mic. The only problem was without this podium, most stars gave their speeches with their prestigious awards sitting on the ground beside them.
‘Moonlight’ or ‘La La Land’?
The moment that La La Land was accidentally awarded an Oscar instead of Moonlight. This time, Warren Beatty was in Steve Harvey’s shoes. Right before the actor made the announcement for the winner of Best Picture, rumors came out that someone said, “Oh my god, he got the wrong envelope.”
Whether he realized it or not, Beatty confused the envelope in which Emma Stone won Best Actress in a Leading Role and made an unfortunate error.
Faith Hill’s Fake Out
Anyone watching the 2006 Country Music Awards couldn’t help but notice that not everyone seemed happy when Carrie Underwood won an award for female vocalist of the year.
Specifically, the camera caught an image of Faith Hill, seemingly angry at the win, mouthing “What?!” at the camera. The day after, she clarified, “The idea that I would act disrespectful towards a fellow musician is unimaginable to me. For this to become a focus of attention given the talent gathered is utterly ridiculous,” writing the expression off as a joke.
Beyoncé’s Big Announcement
Beyoncé is a musician who needs no introduction. In fact, the singer is rather universally loved for her talent. The musician was already centerstage performing “Love on Top” when she stole the show even further at the 2011 VMAs.
At the end of the performance, the singer tossed the mic aside and opened her jacket to rub her stomach, announcing her pregnancy with Blue Ivy. Needless to say, the announcement excited viewers both at the event and watching from home.
The Pussycat Dolls Performance
Performing live comes with its own set of challenges. You have to stay on cue and if you mess up, there’s a big chance the audience will notice. The Pussycat Dolls were having an off night when they performed at the 2006 AMAs.
They were almost done with the song “Buttons” when suddenly member, Melody Thornton came on stage with 40 seconds to go. In those 40 seconds, she started yelling over the other members of the group who just continued with the choreography.
Winona Ryder’s Expressions
Sometimes, moments in awards shows we remember the longest come naturally. It’s just a matter of natural reaction in an often emotional environment.
Winona Ryder accidentally captured the audience’s attention while David Harbour made a speech for Stranger Things winning Best Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2017 at the SAG Awards. It’s hard to focus on Harbour’s rousing speech when Ryder stands behind him with such an incredibly expressive face.
Bob Dylan’s Visitor
Bob Dylan performed at the 1998 Grammys and everything was normal— until someone ran on stage with no shirt and the words “Soy Bomb” written across their chest. The person behind the stunt and on-stage is Michael Portnoy.
Another musician, Portnoy stormed the stage with the belief that he was on the new stage of music and Dylan was outdated. According to him, “Soy Bomb” means “Sort of life and death and explosion.” We’re not quite sure he convinced everyone they should abandon Bob Dylan’s music.
Roberto Benigni’s Interesting Route
Awards shows make for a fairly crowded environment. Yet, the aisles typically remain as a walkway for stars to move to and from the stage. Of course, we suppose you don’t necessarily have to use the aisle if you don’t want to.
At the 1998 Oscars, Roberto Benigni decided not to shuffle toward the aisle. Why bother when you can just walk over the chairs? It seems like the audience is entertained.
Nicole Kidman Becomes a Meme
Like many stars, an award show momentarily turned Nicole Kidman into a meme. Specifically, her interesting clapping method confused many. The actress later confirmed that she was clapping like that on purpose.
Decked out in eveningwear, Kidman had to be careful so as to not damage the jewels adorning her hands. Still, she didn’t want to see everyone win and not congratulate them, so she improvised a safer method.
Lady Gaga’s Meat Dress
Outfits steal the show sometimes, too. Lady Gaga really took it to the next level with a dress made of raw meat. It was the 2010 VMAs when Gaga showed up with a meat dress — complete with meat shoes and a meat hat.
Don’t worry, however, because the meat was treated with a host of chemicals including bleach, detergent, and formaldehyde, and then redyed. This way, the meat wasn’t full of bacteria and a health hazard all night.
Jacqueline Bisset’s Speech
If we’ve learned anything so far, it’s that emotions run high at awards shows. This can make delivering a speech more of a challenge than you might expect.
At the 71st Golden Globes, Jacqueline Bisset won a Golden Globe for her role as a supporting actress in Dancing on the Edge. Once she took to the stage, she hesitated for quite a while and then jumped into a long, disorganized speech, ignoring the music trying to play her off.
James Franco and Tommy Wiseau
When The Room was released, it wasn’t in the running to win any awards. However, it still managed to take a place in pop culture’s heart.
So much so, in fact, that James Franco made a movie about the The Room called The Disaster Artist. When the movie picked up a few Golden Globes, Franco pulled Wiseau on stage. In an attempt to stop a meandering speech, though, Franco awkwardly barred Wiseau from the mic in an unmistakable move to block him.
Madonna, Britney, and Christina
At this point, we should just expect the unexpected at the VMAs. It seems there’s no way to know what the stars will do next. Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera had some serious star power when they took to the stage together.
The crowd went wild when Madonna kissed Spears and then Aguilera. However, the kiss with Spears stole the show, complete with a cutaway to Justin Timberlake, her ex, in the audience.
Krist Novoselic’s Botched Catch
The members of Nirvana weren’t strangers to onstage antics. Those antics come with some risk, though. That’s something that bass player Krist Novoselic learned the hard way at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1992.
When his amp cut out, he tossed his bass in the air in anger, only for it to come crashing back down on his head. He stumbled offstage after what looked like quite a painful collision. In the following moments, Kurt Cobain took out the rest of the set while Dave Grohl called out Axl Rose specifically.
Jennifer Lawrence’s Slip-Up
Everyone trips and falls from time to time and that includes celebrities. It happens to all of us! Jennifer Lawrence tried to go receive her Oscar in 2013 for her work in Silver Linings Playbook when she stumbled up the stairs.
Hugh Jackman and Jean Dujardin quickly went to her aid and she commented at the podium, “You guys are just standing up because you feel bad that I fell and that’s really embarrassing.”
Chrissy Teigen’s Memorable Face
At an awards show, it can seem like there are eyes everywhere. This means that they tend to capture pictures of celebrities whether or not they’re flattering.
Take, for instance, Chrissy Teigen after hubby John Legend won a Golden Globe. During his speech, the camera swung to her in the audience. Can you blame her for crying when her husband won an award? Still, the internet saw plenty of meme potential in this frame.
John Travolta’s Big Mistake
It must feel like a magical moment to hear your name announced at an awards show. Well, unless you don’t actually get to hear your name. At the 2014 Oscars, John Travolta mistakenly announced Idina Menzel’s name as Adela Dazeem.
Menzel later said, “That threw me for a minute, but then I just got back on track and reminded myself of where I was. He was really gracious and sent this gorgeous email, and we’re buddies and it’s all cool.”
Miguel Missed the Landing
Miguel was trying for a pretty cool stunt at the 20th Billboard Music Awards. In an athletic feat, he tried to jump from one section of the stage to another.
To pull this off, he had to jump over a section of the crowd. The singer almost made it too but he botched the landing. More specifically, he landed crotch-first into a fan’s face. Honestly, it looked a bit painful for everyone involved.
Renee Zellweger Almost Missed It
Just because it’s a busy night doesn’t mean you can forego everything as an audience member at an awards show. Even celebrities need bathroom breaks.
In a move that other stars have repeated since Renee Zellweger almost missed the chance to grab her award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy at the 2001 Golden Globes. Why? The star was in the bathroom but she ultimately made it to stage to accept the award! She even said in her speech it was definitely a moment she wouldn’t forget.
Taylor Swift’s Speech Interrupted
Ye, who changed his name from Kanye, is well-known for letting people know how he feels. In fact, one award show moment is hard to forget even years later. At the 2009 VMAs, Taylor Swift was accepting a music video award for her video for the song “You Belong with Me.”
Obviously, not everyone agreed. It wasn’t long before Ye pulled the mic from Swift with the comment about letting her finish before saying that she didn’t actually deserve the award — Beyoncé did for her “Single Ladies” video.
Charlie Chaplin’s Standing Ovation
It’s easy to tell who’s a legend in Hollywood at an awards show. It’s often a time that stars pay homage to their heroes as well. In 1972, during the Academy Awards, Charlie Chaplin was given an Honorary Award.
It seemed the crowd was thrilled for the film star and launched into a standing ovation. To make it stand out even further, the 12-minute standing ovation broke records for the longest one yet!
Katy Perry Tripping Up
Katy Perry is no stranger to big props in her shows. Sometimes, they just don’t work out the way you picture it going in real life, though.
During the 7th Annual Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica, Perry finished off by jumping into a giant cake. The only problem was the icing was much more slippery than the singer expected. She fell four times in a row before accepting the situation.
Streaking at the 1974 Oscars
The Oscars has a fairly formal dress code. For the most part, you see people in stunning gowns and suits posing and accepting awards. In 1974, something a bit different happened.
One person forewent the dress code completely to streak across the stage. The man’s name was Robert Opel but the idea for the gag came from none other than Allan Carr — the same mind behind the ill-received Snow White skit.
Tim Commerford’s Surprising Revolt
During the 1999 VMAs, Linkin Park was accepting the award for Best Rock Video when something a little unplanned happened — apparently, Tim Commerford had some complaints.
While nü-metal saw a lot of controversy even within the rock scene, no one was quite expecting the bassist from Rage Against the Machine to protest by parking himself atop the set and refusing to come down. When security finally got him down, the stunt ended in a night in jail.
Leonardo Dicaprio and Lady Gaga
While everyone is supposed to get through the crowd easily during an awards show, that isn’t always the case. It wasn’t at the 73rd Golden Globes, at least.
Given the tight area to walk through, we can see why Lady Gaga might have bumped into Leonardo Dicaprio. As for Dicaprio, he explained that the contact startled him since he wasn’t expecting it. Still, the internet had a field day with the still image.
Ronnie Wood Tosses His Drink
The 20th BRIT Awards got a little messier than anticipated when Ronnie Wood and Brandon Block got into a bit of an altercation. Wood was helping present an award when Brandon Block suddenly appeared on stage.
The announcers and security started to try and get Block offstage when he broke free and ran back. In response, the Rolling Stones member threw his drink in Block’s face.
Ellen Degeneres’ Selfie
Ellen Degeneres was tasked with hosting the 2014 Oscars. To her credit, she definitely made for one of the more memorable hosts in recent years. During part of the show, the talk show host decided to break the internet with a star-studded selfie.
Once the picture hit Twitter, it really did break the internet or, at least, slow Twitter down a bit. Not to mention, Bradley Cooper managed to capture a lot of people with this photo.
Will Smith’s Slap
Last but not least, the 2022 Oscars had a moment that left the audience wondering what was real. Chris Rock was hosting when he cracked a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair.
Responding to the joke about his wife — who has alopecia — Will Smith walked on stage and slapped Rock across the face. Later in the night, though, Smith would win Best Actor. Since then, however, Smith has resigned from the Academy over the incident.
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