Patrick Dempsey had a hilarious reaction to being awarded the title of the Sexiest Man Alive of this year by People magazine.
After winning the hearts of fans all these past years thanks to his stint as the neurosurgeon Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd in the popular Shonda Rhimes show Grey's Anatomy, it seems Dempsey still has all the star power.
The 57-year-old Hollywood hunk was now been crowned as the Sexiest Man Alive of 2023 by the magazine, and the honor was bestowed upon him during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday evening (November 7).
Watch Dempsey on Kimmel Live below:In a segment on the late-night show, the 55-year-old host used "cutting-edge hologram technology" and disguised the identity of the person on the cover of the magazine.
The audience members then did a 20-question format so they could figure out who the mystery man was. The questions revealed that the person was an actor who was older than 50 and was married with three children.
Other answers suggested that the candidate was not Timothee Chalamet, Harry Styles, or Travis Kelce.
The key question asked by one particular audience member was "Are you Dr. McDreamy?", in reference to Dempsey's iconic character on the long-running ABC series.
After being revealed as the Sexiest Man Alive, the actor-turned-racing-driver reacted to the news during a sit-down interview with Kimmel and expressed: "I'm just happy they made a decision and it was me this year."
Kimmel then quipped that it took the publication a long time to crown Dempsey, who has been in the acting industry for over three decades.
"What took them so long is the only question I have," he remarked. "You get more handsome every single year ... they waited; like uncorking a bottle of fine wine, they decided to wait until just the right year - next year you'll be a mess!"
The host then noted how the Bridget Jones's Baby star had been close to receiving the title in recent years, as he was put on two past magazine covers alongside others who had won, George Clooney and Matt Damon.
"Never give up on a dream," Dempsey responded, sharing that his family - wife Jillian, 57, and kids Talula, 21, and 16-year-old twins Sullivan and Darby - laughed when they were informed of the recognition.
"They were like, 'No, seriously, who is it?' 'No, it's me,'" he revealed.
It seems like many people on social media are thrilled to call the Enchanted actor the Sexiest Man Alive.
One user declared: "Patrick Dempsey has BEEN the sexiest man alive since he said it a beautiful day to save lives that first time in 2005."
Another person commented: "Everyone saying Patrick Dempsey is the 'wrong choice' is lying through their teeth that man is sexiest men of not only this year but maybe even the last 3 decades."
A third chimed in: "Patrick Dempsey sexiest man alive while in his Silver Fox era is something that can be so special 2 me personally."
A fourth exclaimed: "PATRICK DEMPSEY 2023 SEXIEST MAN ALIVE IS EVERYTHING TO ME!"
The actor - who stars as Italian racing driver Piero Taruffi in the upcoming Michael Mann-directed biopic Ferrari - told the publication that he is delighted about the news and wants to use his fame positively.
"I’m glad it’s happening at this point in my life. It’s 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," he said.
Dempsey is using his new title to credit a charity close to his heart called Dempsey Center, which he founded in honor of his late mom to support cancer patients and their loved ones.
Congratulations to Dempsey!
