Patrick Dempsey named People's Sexiest Man Alive for 2023: 'I peaked many years ago'

It's a beautiful day … for "Grey's Anatomy" fans.

Patrick Dempsey, known fondly as McDreamy to many, has been named People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive of 2023, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel revealed during his talk show Tuesday. The "Grey's Anatomy" heartthrob and race car driver succeeds last year's recipient, actor and "Captain America" star Chris Evans.

"I'm glad it's happening at this point in my life," the 57-year-old actor told People about the Sexiest Man Alive honor. "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."

Ahead of the nail-biting reveal Tuesday night, Dempsey, who played Derek Shepherd on the ABC medical drama, appeared to be encased and masked in a glass box onstage next to Kimmel as audience members asked the mystery man questions to decipher his identity.

People guessed this year's Sexiest Man Alive could possibly be Timothée Chalamet, Harry Styles, The Golden Bachelor and even "Taylor Swift's boyfriend" Travis Kelce.

But Kimmel slightly narrowed it down when he gave the hint: "Star of one of the most popular television series of all time." Naturally, someone guessed if he was a "Game of Thrones" actor, to which Kimmel gave another hint: "Played a doctor."

Someone then asked, "Are you George Clooney?" (He played Dr. Doug Ross on "ER" in the '90s, and has also previously been named Sexiest Man Alive.) Then someone finally got it, "Are you Dr. McDreamy?"

"Never give up on a dream," Dempsey quipped to Kimmel after the reveal, adding that his family laughed when they heard the news. "They laughed, quite hard. They were like, 'No, seriously, who is it?'"

Dempsey shares daughter Talula, 21, and 16-year-old twins Sullivan and Darby, with wife Jillian, 57. The couple met in 1994 and married in 1999.

COLUMN:Patrick Dempsey watched his mom fight cancer. Now he's giving families the support his needed.

Patrick Dempsey on Sexiest Man Alive title: 'I've always been the bridesmaid!'

His family's reaction wasn't too far off from his own. "I was completely shocked, and then I started laughing" when he heard the news, he told People. "This is a joke, right? I've always been the bridesmaid!"

Dempsey also joked he had bumper stickers, T-shirts and posters ready to go to promote his new title. "I peaked many years ago," the actor told People. "But I'm still here."

He added: "I'd completely forgotten about it and never even contemplated being in this position. So my ego is good."

Still, the actor isn't letting it get to his head.

With the Sexiest Man Alive title, Dempsey hopes to highlight the Dempsey Center, which he founded in honor of his late mother to support cancer patients and their loved ones. The Dempsey Center provides personalized and comprehensive cancer care at no cost, according to its website.

Chris Evans was People magazine's 2022 Sexiest Man Alive

Dempsey's predecessor Evans said the Sexiest Man Alive honor was a true pinch-me moment for the "Ghosted" actor.

"It's something that as I become old and saggy I can look back on and say 'I remember then…' " Evans told People magazine in November 2022. "I'm lucky to be in the discussion in any capacity."

Evans said the title was also a win for his mother, who received bragging rights in addition to her son's illustrious acting career. "My mom will be so happy," he said. "She's proud of everything I do, but this is something she can really brag about."

Other famous heartthrobs who've been part of the Sexiest Men "club" include "Ant-Man" star Paul Rudd, Michael B. Jordan, EGOT winner John Legend, Idris Elba and Blake Shelton.

'I'm lucky to be in the discussion':Chris Evans named People's Sexiest Man Alive for 2022

'You don't age, which is weird':Jennifer Aniston celebrates Paul Rudd's Sexiest Man Alive title

Contributing: Anika Reed, USA TODAY