Patrick Dempsey is People Magazine’s 2023 Sexiest Man Alive. It feels like this already happened, years ago? It’s weird that Dempsey never got SMA when he was on Grey’s Anatomy, but here we are. If you’d like to know how the SMA sausage gets made, there’s a reason why Dempsey is getting SMA this year – because he’s got a role in Michael Mann’s Ferrari, which has a SAG-AFTRA waiver for promotion. Thus, Dempsey is free to promote the film in print media and TV appearances, which is likely why he agreed to the SMA interview. At a personal level, I’ve never been into Patrick Dempsey – he’s nice-looking, sure, but there’s always been something “off” about him, to me at least. His People interview was fine though:
Getting the SMA title at the age of 57: “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.”
This is nice: Closest to his heart is the Dempsey Center, which he founded in honor of his late mom to support cancer patients and their loved ones. Other passions include being a family man to wife Jillian, 57, a makeup artist and founder of her own clean beauty line, and their kids Talula, 21, and 16-year-old twins Sullivan and Darby, as well as honing his penchant for race-car driving.
What went through his mind when he first heard the news: “I was completely shocked, and then I started laughing, like, this is a joke, right? I’ve always been the bridesmaid! I’d completely forgotten about it and never even contemplated being in this position. So my ego is good.” As for how his kids will respond, Dempsey insists 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.”
He’s playing Italian driver Piero Taruffi in Ferrari: “I’d been following the movie for years, so I called Michael and said, ‘I want to discuss being a part of this,.’ That taught me if you really want something, you have to do it yourself.”
Maybe he’s really pleased with this title, but mostly he seems more ambivalent or like “oh that’s nice, okay, what’s next.” The SMA title is a weird thing at this point – most of the recipients have to be dragged by some studio into accepting it as part of a film promotion. I also didn’t realize Patrick is 57! He looks so much younger than his 57-year-old contemporary Prince William.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, People’s IG.
Patrick Dempsey beim Photocall zum Kinofilm Ferrari auf der Biennale di Venezia 2023 / 80. Internationale Filmfestspiele von Venedig im Palazzo del Casino. Venedig, 31.08.2023 *** Patrick Dempsey at the photocall for the feature film Ferrari at the Biennale di Venezia 2023 80 Venice International Film Festival at Palazzo del Casino Venice, 31 08 2023. Foto:xD.xBedrosianx/xFuturexImagex ferrari_3805,Image: 801751719, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/Dave Bedrosian / Avalon 
Patrick Dempsey mit Ehefrau Jillian Fink bei der Premiere des Kinofilms Ferrari auf der Biennale di Venezia 2023 / 80. Internationale Filmfestspiele von Venedig im Palazzo del Cinema. Venedig, 31.08.2023 *** Patrick Dempsey with wife Jillian Fink at the premiere of the feature film Ferrari at the Biennale di Venezia 2023 80 Venice International Film Festival at Palazzo del Cinema Venice, 31 08 2023. Foto:xA.xM.xTinghinox/xFuturexImagex ferrari_3041,Image: 801925848, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/Anna Maria Tinghino / Avalon 
Italy, Lido di Venezia, August 31, 2023: Patrick Dempsey, attends the red carpet for the movie ‘Ferrari’ at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2023 in Venice, Italy.,Image: 801993782, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: **** World right excluding Italy ****, Model Release: no, Credit line: Ottavia Da Re / Agenzia Sintesi / Avalon
Patrick Galen Dempsey and Jillian Fink portrait during the 2023 Formula 1 Lenovo United States Grand Prix, 18th round of the 2023 Formula One World Championship from October 20 to 22, 2023 on the Circuit of The Americas, in Austin, USA -,Image: 815844636, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: 00123041, Model Release: no, Credit line: Xavi Bonilla / Panoramic / Avalon 
Patrick Dempsey, portrait during the 2023 Formula 1 Lenovo United States Grand Prix, 18th round of the 2023 Formula One World Championship from October 20 to 22, 2023 on the Circuit of The Americas, in Austin, USA -,Image: 815944759, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: 00123041, Model Release: no, Credit line: DPPI / Panoramic / AvalonncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcWxkaIFze8%2Baq6uhk6CspbHMqaqesY%2BewKC8xKinpZ2Poq6ov75rZ2trj6iyubXErKuYpZGjrKK4yK%2BcmKyYnsCgtdKYmJiin6CyoL7IoJ%2BtZw%3D%3D