From the Archives: EW predicted Patrick Dempsey as Sexiest Man Alive nearly a decade ago

Samantha Highfill
·2 min read
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Back in 2014, we advocated for McDreamy to get the title.

Look, I'm not one to sit around and say I told you so but ... I kind of did? Fresh off the news that PEOPLE has named Patrick Dempsey its 2023 Sexiest Man Alive, I'm reminded of something I wrote nearly 10 years ago explaining in (sometimes embarrassing) detail why he deserved the title.

Back in 2014, I made the argument that Dempsey — who was still playing Derek Shepherd on Grey's Anatomy at the time — had deserved the title on more than one occasion. After all, there's a reason his character became known as McDreamy and it wasn't just because of his hair (though that was part of it).

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Patrick Dempsey
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Patrick Dempsey

For years, Dempsey played the dreamiest doctor on one of television's biggest shows, making viewers swoon with nothing more than a look across the operating table or a smirk in the elevator. As I argued back in 2014, he really deserved the title in 2006 (which went to Matthew McConaughey). To quote myself, "In Grey's Anatomy's season 2 finale, Dempsey gave viewers what I consider to be the single sexiest look of all-time. When Derek sees Meredith across the dance floor at the hospital's prom — it's a long story — the way he looks at her can't really be described with words, but let's just say nobody wondered why she stormed off the floor because she couldn't breathe. Then? They had sex. Obviously."

I also go on to add, "Additionally, in September of 2006, Dempsey gave us an unforgettable moment when Derek finally admitted that he was in love with Meredith. But it was better than just an 'I love you,' because well, he's Patrick Dempsey."

It's a pretty solid argument if you ask me. And although I still think Dempsey deserved the title back then, it's undeniable that he's having a bit of a resurgence at the moment, from Ferrari (opening Christmas Day) to Disenchanted, and even his unexpected 2020 Grey's Anatomy return. So, I suppose, it's better late than never. (But I did tell you so.)

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