Noah Wyle, the Emmy-winning actor known for his roles in “ER” and “The Pitt,” has been named People magazine’s 2026 Sexiest Man Alive. The publication announced publication announced the selection Tuesday, Oct. 27, recognizing the 55-year-old actor as his career continues to attract renewed attention through his acclaimed performance in HBO’s medical drama “The Pitt.”
Wyle said he initially doubted the news was genuine. “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 appreciate the recognition, with the actor crediting her belief in him as a husband and father as an important part of his response to the honor.
Wyle first became widely known as Dr. John Carter on NBC’s “ER,” which premiered in 1994 and ran until 2009. He later returned to the medical-drama genre as Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch in “The Pitt,” earning major awards for his performance, including consecutive Emmy wins for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 2025 and 2026. The series’ third season is scheduled to premiere in January 2027.
The announcement also connects Wyle to his former “ER” co-star George Clooney, who has won the People title twice. Wyle joked about how Clooney might react to his selection, saying, “I think he’ll be amused and feel, hopefully, like a proud papa, that I’ve come of gray-haired age.” Wyle also expects his family to tease him about the distinction, adding a lighthearted note to the career milestone.
Wyle succeeds Jonathan Bailey, the “Wicked” star who received the title in 2025. The annual distinction, first awarded in 1985, remains one of People’s best-known celebrity features, and Wyle’s selection reflects both his long-standing television presence and his recent success with a new generation of viewers.
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