Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey has been named People magazine's "sexiest man alive" for 2023, dethroning last year's titleholder, Chris Evans. The 57-year-old actor, who is best known for his role as heartthrob neurosurgeon Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd in the hit medical series, expressed his gratitude for the recognition during an interview with People.

"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," Dempsey said. He humorously added, "I've always been the bridesmaid," referring to his previous near-misses for the title.

Having gained fame for his dashing looks and captivating portrayal of Dr. Shepherd, Dempsey made over 250 appearances on Grey's Anatomy, serving as a main character from 2005 to 2015. He later made a comeback as Dr. Shepherd in a recurring role in 2019 before bidding farewell to the show for good.

In addition to his television success, Dempsey has also made waves in the film industry. He starred in the 2007 Disney blockbuster Enchanted and its 2022 sequel, Disenchanted. However, it is his role as the real-life Italian Formula One driver Piero Taruffi in the upcoming biopic Ferrari that Dempsey considers his best to date. The film, which revolves around the life of Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the iconic carmaker, is set to be released next month.

What makes Dempsey's portrayal particularly impressive is that he did all the driving himself, showcasing his passion for racing. The actor has participated in several professional races, including the renowned 24 Hours of Le Mans. His involvement in motorsports led him to become part of the Wright Motorsports racing team, as stated on their website.

Beyond his acting and racing career, Dempsey is a family man. He shares three children, Talula, Sullivan, and Darby, with his wife Jillian Fink, who is a makeup artist and the founder of a beauty line. Speaking about his children's reaction to his "sexiest man alive" title, Dempsey said, "They're just going to make fun of me and pick on me and figure out every reason why I shouldn't be [the sexiest man alive], which is good, they keep me young."

In addition to his professional pursuits, Dempsey is also known for his philanthropy. He founded the Dempsey Center, an organization based in Maine that provides care and resources for cancer patients, in memory of his late mother.

Dempsey joins the ranks of previous "sexiest man alive" recipients, including Michael B. Jordan, John Legend, Paul Rudd, Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford, and Mel Gibson, who was the magazine's first recipient of the title in 1985.

The People magazine edition featuring Dempsey's cover story is set to hit the stands on Friday, giving fans an inside look into the life of this multi-talented actor and race car driver.