Home / Arts and Entertainment / 40 Years of Sexy: PEOPLE's Untold Sexiest Man Alive Secrets Unveiled
40 Years of Sexy: PEOPLE's Untold Sexiest Man Alive Secrets Unveiled
5 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Mel Gibson was the first-ever Sexiest Man Alive, unaware of the title
- Matthew McConaughey's unprecedented press run for the cover
- Dwayne Johnson's birthday cake delivery for his Sexiest Man Alive win
Forty years after Mel Gibson was crowned the first-ever Sexiest Man Alive, PEOPLE magazine is now lifting the veil on the untold stories behind its iconic annual cover. The publication is revealing the on-the-fly newsroom decisions, on-set memories, and other intriguing details that have shaped this long-running franchise.
From the photo editor who coined the "Sexiest Man Alive" title on a whim to Matthew McConaughey's unprecedented press run for the cover, the article delves into the behind-the-scenes moments that have defined each year's titleholder. Readers will also learn about Dwayne Johnson's birthday cake delivery to celebrate his Sexiest Man Alive win.
As PEOPLE celebrates four decades of the Sexiest Man Alive, this article offers a rare glimpse into the making of one of the most anticipated pop culture events of the year.
