Only One Illinois Native Has Been Named ‘Sexiest Man Alive’—Guess Who

People's Sexiest Man Alive issue has been a yearly tradition for 35 years.

This year's winner, John Krasinski, surprised many, including Krasinski, who said he had an "immediate blackout" and "zero thoughts" after discovering he had been named 2024's Sexiest Man Alive.

Krasinski's Humorous Take on His New Title

Krasinski added, "Other than maybe I'm being punked, that's not how I wake up thinking, 'Is this the day that I'll be asked to be Sexiest Man Alive?' And yet, it was the day you guys did it. You guys have really raised the bar for me."

Krasinski, one of the many actors who rose to fame due to their time with the iconic The Office TV show, has turned his gaze toward directing in recent years.

From 'The Office' to Directing: Krasinski’s Rise

In case you didn't know, Krasinski is the man behind the camera in the first two Quiet Place films.

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While Krasinski is the People's Sexiest Man Alive for 2024, I did some research to find someone who was born in Illinois and also won the award.

I should have known better to expect a slew, but I did find one person who fit the bill.

Interestingly, the year this guy won Sexiest Man Alive, 1998, wasn't exactly a banner year for him as an actor.

He starred in one major release, Six Days Seven Nights. The movie was a critical and commercial failure. That's hint one.

The other was that he starred alongside his then-girlfriend, Anne Heche. They lasted only a few more years before splitting in 2000.

I'm talking about Harrison Ford. Ford was born in Chicago and is one of the most successful actors to come from Illinois.

Illinois' Only Sexiest Man Alive: Harrison Ford

Ford is still acting today as he is set to go toe to toe with Anthony Mackie in Captain America: Brave New World.

While we're certain Cap will end up taking out Ford's Red Hulk character by the movie's end, one thing Ford will have over Mackie is he was once People's Sexiest Man Alive.

Ford won that award in 1998, making him the only Illinois native named Sexiest Man Alive.