Noah Wyle Named People’s 2026 Sexiest Man Alive

After heating up emergency rooms since 1994, Noah Wyle has officially been named People’s Sexiest Man Alive for the first time.

In his People interview for the prize, “The Pitt” star said he was in disbelief when he got the news. “I thought that sounded like a prank — just not in a million years did I think that this would be an honor bestowed on me,” Wyle said.

Wyle was first introduced to TV audiences as medical student and doctor John Carter on NBC’s “ER” alongside stars like George Clooney, Anthony Edwards, Sherry Stringfield and Julianna Margulies. Though he never won, Wyle earned three Golden Globe nominations and five Emmy nominations over the show’s run. Back in Jan. at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards, Clooney joked that the organization should do a “sexiest man still alive” issue, saying that he “would nominate Noah Wyle as the first guy… When I grow up, I want to be Noah Wyle.”

16 years after the show’s finale aired in 2009, Wyle found himself back in a hospital as the disgruntled attending physician Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch in HBO’s “The Pitt.” His portrayal as the doctor across the show’s two seasons won him the Golden Globe for best performance by a male actor in a television series, drama in 2026, and back-to-back Emmy awards for best actor in a drama series in both 2025 and 2026. Season 3 of the hit medical drama is set to premiere in Jan. 2027.

Launched in 1985 by Mel Gibson, the Sexiest Man Alive contest marks its 41st year. Wyle succeeds “Wicked” star Jonathan Bailey, who was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025 and was the first openly gay man to receive the title. He joins past winners including Patrick Dempsey, Chris Evans, Paul Rudd, Michael B. Jordan, John Legend, and Idris Elba.