Here's a look at every 'Sexiest Man Alive' since 1985
Idris Elba has been named People's 2018 "Sexiest Man Alive," an honor the magazine has been doling out since 1985. Here's a look at the "Sexiest Man Alive" from previous years:
People magazine names Idris Elba 2018's Sexiest Man Alive

FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2018, file photo, actor-director Idris Elba poses for a portrait to promote his film "Yardie" at the Music Lodge during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. On Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, Elba was named Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine. (Photo by Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP, File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — People magazine has named Idris Elba as 2018's Sexiest Man Alive, and the British actor says the honor has given him a boost of self-confidence.
Elba, who starred in "The Wire" and "Luther," was surprised after being crowned this year's winner, the magazine said.
"I was like, 'Come on, no way. Really?'" he told the magazine. "Looked in the mirror, I checked myself out. I was like, 'Yeah, you are kind of sexy today.' But to be honest, it was just a nice feeling. It was a nice surprise — an ego boost for sure."
Elba's selection was revealed on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," with the actor appearing via satellite from London. Fallon had Elba perform poses to match the magazine's cover description of him as a "sweet, smoldering superstar." Elba said of his selection, "My mom is going to be very, very proud."
The actor has also starred in Marvel's "Thor" franchise and as Nelson Mandela in the film "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom."
Elba, 46, also performs on the side under the deejay name DJ Big Driis and has his own clothing line. He is also planning a wedding with his fiancée Sabrina Dhowre.
The actor has a 16-year-old daughter, Isan, and a 4-year-old son, Winston, from previous relationships.
Elba told People about his upbringing as an only child of African immigrants growing up in East London. The actor said his parents were strict and he got picked on often while attending an all-boys school despite playing an array of sports including football, basketball, cricket, hockey and rugby.
"I was very tall and skinny," recalled Elba, who stands at 6-foot-3. "And my name was Idrissa Akuna Elba, OK? I got picked on a little bit. But again, as soon as I could grow a mustache, I was the coolest kid on the block. Grew a mustache, had some muscles, bonkers."
Past winners include Dwayne Johnson, David Beckham, Chris Hemsworth, Adam Levine, Channing Tatum and last year's honoree, country star Blake Shelton.
Elba will be featured in a special double issue that will hit newsstands Friday. The actor said he tries to live life without few regrets.
"Life isn't about thinking about what you should have done," he said. "I think everyone should adopt the philosophy that tomorrow is not promised so just go for it today. You might as well do it to your heart's content."
Here's a look at the Sexiest Man Alive from previous years:
2017: Blake Shelton

FILE - This June 7, 2016 file photo shows Blake Shelton performing at the 12th Annual Stars for Second Harvest Benefit at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. Shelton was named as People magazine's 2017 "Sexiest Man Alive."
2016: Dwayne Johnson

In this June 10, 2016 file photo, Dwayne Johnson attends the premiere of his film, "Central Intelligence" in Los Angeles. Johnson was named "Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine on Nov. 15, 2016.
2015: David Beckham

In this Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, file photo, David Beckham poses for photographers upon arrival at the Pride of Britain Awards 2015 in London. Despite his nearly two decades as an international sex symbol, British soccer star Beckham said he's still flattered to be named People magazine's 30th-anniversary Sexiest Man Alive.
2014: Chris Hemsworth

In this July 26, 2014 file photo, Chris Hemsworth attends the Marvel press line at Comic-Con International in San Diego. People magazine named Chris Hemsworth the “Sexiest Man Alive” of 2014, cheering the Australian actor’s rise as hammer-wielding, bona fide hunk in the “Thor” films.
2013: Adam Levine

In this Feb. 7, 2013 file photo, recording artist Adam Levine attends the launch of "Adam Levine Signature Fragrances" at Macy's Westfield Century City, in Century City, Calif. Levine was named Sexiest Man Alive 2013 by People magazine announced Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013. He is a coach on the NBC's hit series, "The Voice."
2012: Channing Tatum

People Magazine named Channing Tatum, star of films such as "21 Jump Street" and "Magic Mike," the Sexiest Man Alive in November 2012.
2011: Bradley Cooper

In this Sept. 6, 2011 file photo, actor Bradley Cooper arrives for the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London. Cooper was named People Magazine's sexiest man alive for 2011.
2010: Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds arrives during the 82nd Academy Awards Sunday, March 7, 2010, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Reynolds was chosen as People Magazine's 2010 "Sexiest Man Alive."
2009: Johnny Depp

In this Nov. 17, 2009 file photo, actor Johnny Depp attends The Museum of Modern Art's film benefit tribute to Tim Burton in New York. Depp was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009.
2008: Hugh Jackman

Actor Hugh Jackman presents during the CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute awards show, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. He was named People's "Sexiest Man Alive" for 2008.
2007: Matt Damon

Actor Matt Damon arrives to the premiere of "The Bourne Ultimatum" in Los Angeles, in this, July 25, 2007, file photo. Damon was named the 2007 "sexiest man alive" by People magazine. Damon said the honor came as a surprise.
2006: George Clooney

Actor George Clooney wears a crown and "Sexiest Man Alive" sash presented to him by NBC "Today" television show co-host Matt Lauer, during the taping of an interview, in New York, Friday Dec. 1, 2006. Clooney was promoting his new movie "The Good German."
2005: Matthew McConaughey

Actor Matthew McConaughey arrives at the premiere of "Two for the Money" in Los Angeles, Monday, Sept. 26, 2005. He was named People's "sexiest man alive" for 2005.
2004: Jude Law

British actor Jude Law, nominated for best actor in a drama for his work in "Cold Mountain," arrives for the 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Law was named People's "sexiest man alive" for 2004.
2003: Johnny Depp

Actor Johnny Depp poses for a portrait June 21, 2003, in Los Angeles. Depp was named People's "sexiest man alive" for 2003. He would later receive the honor for a second time in 2009.
2002: Ben Affleck

Actor Ben Affleck, left, is joined by his co-star from the film "The Sum of All Fears" Bridget Moynahan as they pose for photographers after arriving at the MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles, Saturday, June 1, 2002. Affleck was chosen as People's "sexiest man alive" for 2002.
2001: Pierce Brosnan

Actor Pierce Brosnan speaks at a news conference Thursday, April 26, 2001, in Santa Monica, Calif. Brosnan was chosen as People's "sexiest man alive" for 2001.
2000: Brad Pitt

Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt arrive at the 52nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000. Pitt was chosen as that year's "sexiest man alive" by People magazine.
1999: Richard Gere

Actor Richard Gere shows his hands to the crowd after putting them in wet concrete Monday, July 26, 1999 in front of the Mann's Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. The star of "Pretty Woman," "An Officer and a Gentleman," and "American Gigolo" was chosen as 1999's "sexiest man alive" by People magazine. It was his second time receiving the honor.
1998: Harrison Ford

"Six Days, Seven Nights" stars Anne Heche and Harrison Ford pose together at the premiere of the film, Monday, June 8, 1998, in the Westwood section of Los Angeles. Harrison was chosen as the "sexiest man alive" by People magazine for 1998.
1997: George Clooney

George Clooney and girlfriend Celine Balitran are cheered by the crowd as they arrive at the world premiere of "Batman & Robin," Thursday, June 12, 1997. Clooney was chosen as People magazine's "sexiest man alive" that year. He received the honor for a second time in 2009.
1996: Denzel Washington

Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington laughs as he watches a group of Harvard University students spoof a scene from one of his movies Saturday, Feb. 24, 1996. Washington was named People magazine's "sexiest man alive" for that year.
1995: Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt was named 1995's "sexiest man alive" by People magazine. He's shown here with the award he received for best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a motion picture for "12 Monkeys" at the Golden Globe Awards, Sunday, Jan. 21, 1996.
1994: Keanu Reeves

People magazine originally did not choose a "sexiest man alive" in 2004. However, the magazine retroactively awarded the honor to Keanu Reeves in 2015.
1993: Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford

People magazine changed it up in 1993 and awarded a "sexiest couple alive" rather than "sexiest man alive." The honor went to Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford, who are shown here as they enter Lincoln Center in New York on May 2, 1994 for the 1994 Humanitarian Award from T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer, and AIDS Research.
1992: Nick Nolte

Nick Nolte was chosen as 1992's "sexiest man alive" by People magazine. He's shown here withThandie Newton, left and Greta Scacchi, second left, at the festival Palace in Cannes, French Riviera on Saturday May 20, 1995.
1991: Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze, 1991's "sexiest man alive," is shown here with singer Mariah Carey on the set of Saturday Night Live during rehearsal Thursday, Oct. 25, 1990.
1990: Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise was chosen as People's 1990 "sexiest man alive." He's shown here with Michelle Pfeiffer at the 47th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., Jan. 21, 1990.
1989: Sean Connery

Sean Connery was named 1989's "sexiest man alive." At age 59, he is People magazine's oldest choice for the designation.
He's shown here discussing an upcoming scene with director Fred Schepisi and Michelle Pfeiffer during a break in filming in Moscow of "The Russian House," based on the spy novel by John Le Carre, Oct. 13, 1989.
1988: John F. Kennedy, Jr.

John F. Kennedy, Jr. was chosen as People's 1988 "sexiest man alive." He's shown here as guest on a talk show at WVOX radio in New Rochelle May 16, 1989.
1987: Harry Hamlin

Harry Hamlin was named the 1987 "sexiest man alive" by People magazine. He's shown here with Laura Johnson at the 1987 Emmy Awards.
1986: Mark Harmon

Mark Harmon, 1986's "sexiest man alive" according to People magazine, is shown here with Pam Dawber at the Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 31, 1987.
1985: Mel Gibson

In 1985, Mel Gibson was named as People magazine's first "sexiest man alive." He's shown here at the 40th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 11, 1987.
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