Sexiest Man Alive 2012

Sexiest Man Alive: Who Could Be Next?

Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt – who could inherit the crown from these past PEOPLE cover stars?

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SMA '91: PATRICK
SEXY-IN-WAITING: CHANNING

Described as "both a woman's fantasy and a man's man," the late Patrick Swayze became an overnight heartthrob after starring in Dirty Dancing and Ghost. Twenty years later, Channing Tatum has parlayed his role in Step Up into a full Hollywood dance card, with action movies (G.I. Joe) and romantic dramas (Love Letters).