Patrick Dempsey Reveals How His Friends Reacted to Learning He’s This Year’s PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive

Not everyone was thrilled that Patrick Dempsey was crowned PEOPLE’s 2023 Sexiest Man Alive — namely his own friends!

Dempsey, 57, confessed to Entertainment Tonight at the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend: “I didn’t realize how close the competition was and how many people finished second and how many people were overlooked, and then how many people were mad I got it.”

The Grey’s Anatomy alum added, “I’m just happy to be in the game at this point in my life, so it’s good. I’m having a good time. I’m enjoying my moment.”

PEOPLE unveiled Dempsey as this year’s Sexiest Man Alive earlier this month, and the Ferrari star said he was surprised to learn he was the one being bestowed with the honor.

“I was completely shocked, and then I started laughing, like, this is a joke, right? I’ve always been the bridesmaid!” he laughed to PEOPLE.

“I’d completely forgotten about it and never even contemplated being in this position,” he continued. “So my ego is good.”

He affirmed, “I’m glad it’s happening at this point in my life. It’s nice to have the recognition, and certainly my ego takes a little bump, but it gives me the platform to use it for something positive.”

As for what he thought his three kids would make of the news, Dempsey told PEOPLE they’re “just going to make fun of me and pick on me and figure out every reason why I shouldn’t be, which is good, they keep me young.”

The star shares daughter Talula, 21, and 16-year-old twins Sullivan and Darby with his makeup artist wife Jillian, 57, whom he married at a farmhouse in Maine in 1999.

Dempsey follows in the footsteps of previous Sexiest Man Alive winners and fellow actors such as Chris Evans, Paul Rudd and Michael B. Jordan.

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