Press Release: Johnny Depp named People's "Sexiest Man Alive" 2009

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, November 18, 2009; 8:15 AM EST

‘PEOPLE’ NAMES JOHNNY DEPP “SEXIEST MAN ALIVE” 2009

Part-Time Pirate, Full-Time Family Man Is First to Be Chosen Twice in One Decade: 2003, 2009

(NEW YORK) – The 2000s appear to be the “Sexiest” decade for Johnny Depp. In this week’s special double issue, PEOPLE magazine announces that the king of cool with the killer cheekbones is the “Sexiest Man Alive” 2009, inheriting the title from Hugh Jackman. Other sexy men in this elite club who have been twice-honored by PEOPLE are George Clooney (2006, 1997) and Brad Pitt (2000, 1995), but not in the same decade. Depp, who was also chosen PEOPLE’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2003, has the unique distinction of sharing that title alone.
Whether it's onscreen in roles like Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise or at home with his family on their private Bahamian island, the 46-year-old father of two with 25 years in show business still reigns as Hollywood's most irresistible iconoclast.
"Johnny Depp has magical powers. He's unlike anyone else," actress Isla Fisher tells PEOPLE. "He's funny, generous and clever. It's just a shame he's so hard on the eyes."
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A Complete List of PEOPLE’s “Sexiest Man Alive” Through the Years Follows:
1985: Mel Gibson
1986: Mark Harmon
1987: Harry Hamlin
1988: John F. Kennedy Jr.
1989: Sean Connery
1990: Tom Cruise
1991: Patrick Swayze
1992: Nick Nolte
1993: Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford (“The Sexiest Couple Alive”)
1994: None
1995: Brad Pitt
1996: Denzel Washington
1997: George Clooney
1998: Harrison Ford
1999: Richard Gere
2000: Brad Pitt
2001: Pierce Brosnan
2002: Ben Affleck
2003: Johnny Depp
2004: Jude Law
2005: Matthew McConaughey
2006: George Clooney
2007: Matt Damon
2008: Hugh Jackman
2009: Johnny Depp

For more on the “Sexiest Men Alive,” pick up PEOPLE’s 11-30-09 issue on newsstands for two weeks starting Friday, November 20.

Please credit PEOPLE and link to people.com/sma for behind-the-scenes video and more.

[link not included due to the presence of paparazzi photos]