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(NEW YORK) – The 2000s appear to be the “Sexiest” decade for Johnny Depp.  In this week’s special double issue, PEOPLE magazine announces that the king of cool with the killer cheekbones is the “Sexiest Man Alive” 2009, inheriting the title from Hugh Jackman.  Other sexy men in this elite club who have been twice-honored by PEOPLE are George Clooney (2006, 1997) and Brad Pitt (2000, 1995), but not in the same decade.  Depp, who was also chosen PEOPLE’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2003, has the unique distinction of sharing that title alone.  

Whether it's onscreen in roles like Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise or at home with his family on their private Bahamian island, the 46-year-old father of two with 25 years in show business still reigns as Hollywood's most irresistible iconoclast.  But what exactly makes this Oscar-nominated actor so sexy?   "I think he's genuinely flattered by the effect he has on women and yet doesn't really care,” Depp’s Charlie & the Chocolate Factory co-star, Missi Pyle, tells PEOPLE.  “And that's sexy, too."

In addition to Depp, PEOPLE names 109 other sexy guys in eclectic categories including “Best Chests” (Zac Efron, Dwayne Johnson), “Sexy at Every Age” (Corbin Bleu, Derek Jeter, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Chris Noth), “Waking Up In Las Vegas” (Gilles Marini, John Legend, Eddie Cibrian), and “Sexy Songwriters” (Tim McGraw, Chris Daughtry, Flo Rida, Josh Groban).

Plus, some of Hollywood’s leading ladies describe what makes their co-stars worthy of being named PEOPLE’s “Sexiest Leading Men.”  Tina Fey explains why her 30 Rock co-star Alec Baldwin is a great dinner date.  Rebecca Hall marvels at the exceptional vocabulary of her The Town co-star Ben Affleck.  Sherri Shepherd jokes that her Precious co-star Lenny Kravitz “has a way of looking deep into your eyes and touching your soul, but I wish it was my butt.”  Natalie Portman says her “perfect” Brothers’ co-star Jake Gyllenhaal “knows home remedies for distressed hair.  He can build a cabinet from scratch…Kids and dogs love him.  He loves his mom and sister and girlfriend…Too bad he’s ugly.”  And Victoria Beckham calls David Beckham “a wonderful husband.  He is kind and incredibly romantic.  He is a brilliant sportsman and an amazing father.  He idolizes our three boys, and this is what makes him ‘the sexiest man alive’ to me.”
Referring to his 6-page photo chronicle, “My Life in a Speedo,” Jerry O’Connell tells PEOPLE, “My wife [Rebecca Romijn] thinks this is hysterically funny.”  He explains, “There was a period where I thought, ‘Hey, maybe I’ll be the guy who brings the Speedo back.’  That disappeared in about five minutes.”   However, he promises, “This photo shoot was my last hurrah in a Speedo.  You can come to my house.  I am most of the time fully clothed.”  But, he also adds that he is keeping the Speedos nearby if he needs a quick disciplining device when his 11-month-old twin girls get older.  “If my kids ever annoy me, I’ll go and mow our lawn in a Speedo.  Just to embarrass them.”

Included in PEOPLE’s “Sexiest Moments” is “Sexiest Groom” John Krasinski, who is engaged to actress Emily Blunt.  The Office star admits to PEOPLE that there is a downside to being a sexy man.  “I’ve felt guilt since I got it the first time – like I was holding someone else’s rightful spot.”  “Sexiest Rocker” Adam Lambert reveals, “I love people with good energy.  It’s even better when you can hook up with one of them.”  “Sexiest Comedian” Russell Brand adds, “Humor will get you so far.  But style ultimately gets the indentation in the sheets.”  Meanwhile, Chris O’Donnell, one-half of the “Sexiest Undercover Duo,” says, “I’m lucky to have a good woman as a partner…And on the set, I’m lucky to have him [LL Cool J] as my partner.”  LL Cool J chimes in, “But I’m not a good woman…”  Speaking of which, “Sexiest Loverboy” Chace Crawford admits he likes “off-the-wall girls with odd senses of humor.”  He says some of the weirdest compliments he has received from fans range from “You have nice fingernails” to “We love when your hair’s clean.  So, wash your hair.”

Undead hotties are also featured in this special issue, with PEOPLE’s first Vampire Awards.  “Best Hair” goes to New Moon’s Robert Pattinson, while co-star Peter Facinelli sinks his teeth into his “Hottest Dad” honor.  “I’m eternally grateful for this award,” he tells PEOPLE.  “The secret to my success as a sexy dad is to never wear socks with sandals.”  True Blood on-screen rivals Stephen Moyer and Alexander Skarsgard are recognized as “Most Smoldering” and “Sexiest Bad Boy,” respectively.  “Ever since I was a kid, my mom would scold me for being a bad boy,” reveals Skarsgard.  “So here I am actually getting an award for being a bad boy.  Thank you, PEOPLE magazine.  I can’t wait to tell my mom.”

For more on the “Sexiest Men Alive” 2009, pick up PEOPLE’s 11-30-09 issue on newsstands for two weeks starting Friday, November 20.  Please credit PEOPLE and link to www.people.com/sma for behind-the-scenes video and more.      (Page 78)