Noah Wyle selected as People's 2026 Sexiest Man Alive
The actor, 55, follows Jonathan Bailey in the annual honor, which he said he initially believed was a joke.
By Elena Svoboda ·
People magazine named Noah Wyle its 2026 Sexiest Man Alive on Tuesday, October 27, recognizing the 55-year-old actor as his career enters a new phase driven by critical acclaim on HBO.
Wyle expressed disbelief upon receiving the news, telling the publication he initially assumed it was a prank because he never expected such an honor. He credited his wife, Sara Wells, with helping him appreciate the recognition, noting that her belief in him as a husband and father played a key role in his reaction.
The actor first gained widespread fame as Dr. John Carter on NBC's ER, a series that aired from 1994 to 2009. He recently returned to medical dramas as Dr. Michael 'Robby' Robinavitch in The Pitt, earning back-to-back Emmy Awards for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 2025 and 2026. The third season of that show is set to premiere in January 2027.
The selection links Wyle to former ER co-star George Clooney, who has won the same honor twice. Wyle joked that Clooney will likely be amused by the news and hope for a sense of pride, adding that he expects his family to tease him about the distinction.
Wyle succeeds Jonathan Bailey, the Wicked star who held the title in 2025. The annual feature, first launched in 1985, continues to serve as one of People's most recognized celebrity profiles, marking a milestone in Wyle's long-running television career.
Source: KJFK
