ER Actor Noah Wyle Named People's 2026 Sexiest Man Alive

Noah Wyle is the 2026 Sexiest Man Alive.

People magazine announced the selection on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The 55-year-old actor has seen a surge in popularity due to his role in HBO's medical drama The Pitt. He has won consecutive Emmy Awards for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 2025 and 2026 for the role.

Wyle admitted he was skeptical of the news. "I thought that sounded like a prank, just not in a million years did I think that this would be an honor bestowed on me," he told People. His wife, Sara Wells, helped him accept the title. Wyle credited her support as a key part of his reaction.

The actor first gained fame as Dr. John Carter on NBC's ER. That series premiered in 1994 and ended in 2009. He now plays Dr. Michael Robinavitch in The Pitt. A third season of that show is scheduled to air in January 2027.

The selection links Wyle to his former ER co-star George Clooney. Clooney has won the People title twice. Wyle joked that Clooney would likely be amused by the choice. "I think he'll be amused and feel, hopefully, like a proud papa, that I've come of gray-haired age," Wyle said.

Wyle follows Jonathan Bailey, who won the distinction in 2025 for his work on Wicked. People first awarded the title in 1985. It remains a long-running feature for the publication. Wyle expects his family to tease him about the new label.