Apparently, Tuesday is an election day not just at Israel's polling stations, but across the ocean too. American actor of Jewish descent Noah Wyle, 55, best known for the medical dramas The Pitt and ER, has been named People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive for 2026.
Wyle admitted he initially had trouble believing the news. "I thought that sounded like a prank," he told the magazine. "I never dreamed an honor like this would come my way."
The person who helped convince him the news was real was his wife, Sara, 46. According to Wyle, she believes he is a good person, a good father and a good husband, and that those are qualities worth celebrating. He also joked that his wife was pleased the title reflected so well on her taste in men.
For Wyle, the recognition comes after years of being identified with his role as Dr. John Carter on the hit medical drama ER. Back in the 1990s, he appeared alongside his co-stars on the cover of a People issue devoted to the show's sexiest men, including George Clooney, who went on to win the Sexiest Man Alive title twice.
Now, thanks to the success of The Pitt, in which he plays Dr. Robby, Wyle is enjoying a new wave of attention. The series, which is expected to return for a third season in January on HBO Max, has given him what he describes as a second chance in his career. He likens his renewed success to being struck by lightning for the second time, having also won two consecutive Emmy Awards for outstanding lead actor in a drama series.
Despite his new status, Wyle admits he still isn't entirely comfortable being the center of attention. He says he has always felt more at ease stepping into someone else's character than appearing as himself, without a script.
In the interview, he recalled how fame arrived almost overnight, shortly after his 22nd birthday, when ER turned him into a recognizable star. By the time that chapter of his life ended, he was 37, married and the father of two children, and felt the years had flown by in a blur.
The success of The Pitt, he explained, has allowed him to handle fame differently this time, with greater presence and a little more composure. Still, he doesn't pretend to have completely overcome his insecurities.
During a photo shoot for the magazine at a Malibu estate, Wyle was joined by his wife and their 11-year-old daughter, Frances, along with the family dog, Lily. Wyle showed off his domestic skills, preparing his daughter's favorite eggs, cleaning the kitchen and even folding laundry. He's handsome and he cooks. What more could anyone ask for?
According to his wife, these weren't just performances for the cameras. Wyle really does his share of the housework and has even found one area in which he considers himself something of an expert: washing dishes.
Noah Wyle and his wife Sara
(Photo: Noah Wyle's Instagram)
"The sink is my domain," he told People, recommending that other men give dishwashing a try because he finds it surprisingly therapeutic.
His daily routine also includes making breakfast for his wife and daughter, keeping a journal, exercising, walking the dogs and reading. He tries to cut down on scrolling through his phone, although he admits that genuine days off are a rare luxury.
Fatherhood, Wyle says, was the experience that changed his life more than anything else. He recalled the moment he first held his son and realized that his priorities had shifted: "It's not about me, it's about you."
That experience also influenced his decision to leave ER. After his son was born, Wyle returned to work almost immediately, but when he finally got to spend time with him over the weekend, he found himself eager to finish work and get back home.
Noah Wyle
(Photo: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Eventually, he decided to leave the series, although he later returned for its finale. He jokingly described his departure as a divorce that still allowed visitation rights, a humorous way of explaining just how attached he remained to the show, even after choosing to walk away.
Wyle says his wife always knows exactly what to say to stop him from spiraling into distress. It's one of the things that made him realize just how well she knows and understands him.
Asked about the secret to a happy marriage, Wyle emphasized the importance of humor. Life can be difficult, he explained, but if you can still manage to smile, you stand a pretty good chance of getting through the challenges.
Alongside his career and family life, Wyle also revealed a few surprising facts about himself. He enjoys catching flies alive and releasing them, can't stand maggots, often dreams about flying and falling, and hopes to host Saturday Night Live someday. Well, once you've been named People's Sexiest Man Alive, the sky really is the limit.
(Photo: AP)
He also admits to a weakness for survival gear, which sometimes leads to purchases on Instagram. According to Wyle, advertisements promising to make him better prepared for just about any situation manage to tempt him time and again.
Wyle's selection as this year's Sexiest Man Alive follows last year's winner, British actor Jonathan Bailey.