Noah Wyle has been named People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” for 2026. The 55-year-old actor, known for his roles as Dr. John Carter on NBC’s “ER” and more recently as Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch in HBO’s medical drama “The Pitt,” expressed surprise upon receiving the recognition.

Wyle said he initially thought the announcement was a prank and admitted feeling uncertain about the title. “I thought that sounded like a prank, just not in a million years did I think that this would be an honor bestowed on me,” he told the magazine. Despite the unexpected nature of the accolade, he joked about the possibilities the recognition might bring, though he anticipated some good-natured teasing from friends and family.

The actor’s return to medical drama came more than a decade after his breakout role on “ER,” reprising his connection to the genre through his character in “The Pitt.” Wyle reflected on the significance of the award in relation to his personal comfort in the public eye. “I was so hoping today was going to be the day. ‘Look at you. You’re the Sexiest Man Alive. Finally you can be comfortable in your own skin,’” he said. “Not yet. I like being in other people’s skin. I like putting on characters. I get self-conscious. It’s still the hardest kind of interaction for me, speaking without a script as myself.”

The recognition adds a new dimension to Wyle’s career, highlighting his enduring presence in the entertainment industry more than three decades after his initial rise to fame.