8 Sexy Photos from Past Sexiest Man Alive Issues, Featuring Milo Ventimiglia, Bradley Cooper and More

Mar. 15, 2025

Milo Ventimiglia from PEOPLE’s 2016 Sexiest Man Alive Issue.

These men committed to serving sexy for photoshoots in PEOPLE’sSexiest Man Aliveissues.Forty years of Sexiest Man Alive have produced some of the sexiest, silliest and striking shots of your favorite celebrity men, includingJohn Stamos,Bradley Cooper,Milo Ventimigliaand more. FromJames Van Der Beekposing nude on top of a horse toWill Arnettdressing up asTom Selleck’s Magnum P.I., nothing is impossible in PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive issues.See eight of the best snaps from our past issues of Sexiest Man Alive as we gear up for the big reveal on Nov. 12.

These men committed to serving sexy for photoshoots in PEOPLE’sSexiest Man Aliveissues.

Forty years of Sexiest Man Alive have produced some of the sexiest, silliest and striking shots of your favorite celebrity men, includingJohn Stamos,Bradley Cooper,Milo Ventimigliaand more. FromJames Van Der Beekposing nude on top of a horse toWill Arnettdressing up asTom Selleck’s Magnum P.I., nothing is impossible in PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive issues.

See eight of the best snaps from our past issues of Sexiest Man Alive as we gear up for the big reveal on Nov. 12.

01of 08Hot To GoMilo Ventimiglia from PEOPLE’s 2016 Sexiest Man Alive issue.Mei TaoFor the 2016 issue’s “Hot Guys in the Kitchen,“Milo Ventimigliasmoldered for the camera holding a box of Chinese takeout. He revealed to PEOPLE that he cooks every day and is “well versed” in the kitchen. His repertoire of recipes includes salads, dressings, fresh pastas and marinara sauce.But the cooking isn’t even the hottest part for theThis Is Usactor — it’s what happens after: “Cleaning up is very, very sexy,” he said.

01of 08

Hot To Go

Milo Ventimiglia from PEOPLE’s 2016 Sexiest Man Alive issue.Mei Tao

Mei Tao

For the 2016 issue’s “Hot Guys in the Kitchen,“Milo Ventimigliasmoldered for the camera holding a box of Chinese takeout. He revealed to PEOPLE that he cooks every day and is “well versed” in the kitchen. His repertoire of recipes includes salads, dressings, fresh pastas and marinara sauce.

But the cooking isn’t even the hottest part for theThis Is Usactor — it’s what happens after: “Cleaning up is very, very sexy,” he said.

02of 08Bathroom ConfidentialBradley Cooper from PEOPLE’s 2005 Sexiest Man Alive issue.Emily Shur/AugustBefore he was2011’s Sexiest Man Alive,Bradley Cooperstripped down for a bathtub shot as 2005’s “Sexiest Man in the Kitchen.” At the time, the actor was starring in the short-lived sitcomKitchen Confidentialas executive chef Jack Bourdain.“I only know one person who eats more than me,” Cooper said in a Q&A for the title. “As a kid I used it to get attention. It was, ‘Oh, look at how much Bradley can eat. Have another cannoli!’ "

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Bathroom Confidential

Bradley Cooper from PEOPLE’s 2005 Sexiest Man Alive issue.Emily Shur/August

Emily Shur/August

Before he was2011’s Sexiest Man Alive,Bradley Cooperstripped down for a bathtub shot as 2005’s “Sexiest Man in the Kitchen.” At the time, the actor was starring in the short-lived sitcomKitchen Confidentialas executive chef Jack Bourdain.

“I only know one person who eats more than me,” Cooper said in a Q&A for the title. “As a kid I used it to get attention. It was, ‘Oh, look at how much Bradley can eat. Have another cannoli!’ "

03of 08Horsing AroundJames Van Der Beek from PEOPLE’s 2012 Sexiest Man Alive issue.Robert Trachtenberg/TrunkIn 2012,James Van Der Beeklaunched his campaign for a five-year term as Sexiest Man Alive with a dreamy and steamy coastal shoot atop a horse.“Because nothing’s less sexy than a one-term SMA. Just ask that loserMatt Damon,” he penned.It would have been unprecedented for someone to hold the title for five years, but Van Der Beek laid out his plan to “make America sexier.” Initiatives included making the American flag’s stripes vertical, employing a “brigade of sexy police” and providing a clear list of what is (and isn’t) sexy. (He’s not a fan of fanny packs!)

03of 08

Horsing Around

James Van Der Beek from PEOPLE’s 2012 Sexiest Man Alive issue.Robert Trachtenberg/Trunk

Robert Trachtenberg/Trunk

In 2012,James Van Der Beeklaunched his campaign for a five-year term as Sexiest Man Alive with a dreamy and steamy coastal shoot atop a horse.

“Because nothing’s less sexy than a one-term SMA. Just ask that loserMatt Damon,” he penned.

It would have been unprecedented for someone to hold the title for five years, but Van Der Beek laid out his plan to “make America sexier.” Initiatives included making the American flag’s stripes vertical, employing a “brigade of sexy police” and providing a clear list of what is (and isn’t) sexy. (He’s not a fan of fanny packs!)

04of 08Red AlertJerry O’Connell from PEOPLE’s 2009 Sexiest Man Alive issue.Justin Stephens/AugustAfter paparazzi snappedJerry O’Connellin a speedo on set ofPiranha 3D, the actor decided to reenact an entire day in the iconic swimwear for PEOPLE’s 2009 Sexiest Man Alive issue.“People thought I was gallivanting around town like that,” he said at the time.O’Connell made breakfast, mowed the lawn, mini-golfed and even took business meetings wearing the red speedo. At the end, however, he promised that the photoshoot would be his “last hurrah” in the swimwear.“You can come to my house,” the talk show host said. “I am most of the time fully clothed.”

04of 08

Red Alert

Jerry O’Connell from PEOPLE’s 2009 Sexiest Man Alive issue.Justin Stephens/August

Justin Stephens/August

After paparazzi snappedJerry O’Connellin a speedo on set ofPiranha 3D, the actor decided to reenact an entire day in the iconic swimwear for PEOPLE’s 2009 Sexiest Man Alive issue.

“People thought I was gallivanting around town like that,” he said at the time.

O’Connell made breakfast, mowed the lawn, mini-golfed and even took business meetings wearing the red speedo. At the end, however, he promised that the photoshoot would be his “last hurrah” in the swimwear.

“You can come to my house,” the talk show host said. “I am most of the time fully clothed.”

05of 08

Skin in the Game

John Stamos from PEOPLE’s 2013 Sexiest Man Alive issue.Robert Trachtenberg/Trunk

“I try to stay out of the sun,” Stamos advised before adding, “And I sold my soul to the devil when I was 3 for a pack of gum. People are really going to freak out when I turn 150.”

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Party Animal

Bowen Yang from PEOPLE’s 2021 Sexiest Man Alive issue.Martin Schoeller

Martin Schoeller

“I knew every single word. Everyone got up on tables and danced,” he said.

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Stache Supreme

Will Arnett from PEOPLE’s 2019 Sexiest Man Alive issue.Robert Trachtenberg

Robert Trachtenberg

The P.I. inMagnum, P.I.stands for “Pro Impersonator!” For the 2019 issue’s “Lip Service” shoot — which celebrated iconic mustaches —Will ArnettbecameTom Selleck’s Thomas Magnum from the ’80s crime drama series.

“He was a cool dude who drove around Hawaii in a Ferrari looking good and figuring out crimes,” explained Arnett of the character’s appeal. “He was a P.I. … but it seemed like he just ran on the beach a lot and then made out with women.”

The comedian also gave his one key piece of advice for staying young: moisturizing.

08of 08

Sexy Smuggler

Marlon Wayans from PEOPLE’s 2019 Sexiest Man Alive issue.Robert Trachtenberg

“I felt included in the universe,” Wayans told PEOPLE. “I don’t know ifGeorge Lucasunderstands what that really meant for our community.”

TheWhite Chicksstar adds that he’s envious of the suave space smuggler’s ability to rock a stache. However, Wayans has his grooming priorities straight with advice from his late mother,Elvira.

“She always taught me that women like a man who feels good and smells good,” Wayans said.

source: people.com