Matt Damon Sexiest Man Alive

People magazine has named 37-year-old actor Matt Damon the "sexiest man alive", an honor that has been bestowed twice on his Ocean's Eleven pals George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

Matt Damon tried to turn down the honor and actually wrote People a letter, declining the title, staff writer Ericka Souter told the Early Show today Wednesday. In the letter, Damon explained that he doesn't normally discuss his personal life, that he blushed when he found out he had been chosen and that he thinks New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady would be a much sexier choice.

But according to People, who announced its annual list for the 23rd time on its website, Damon's refusal "perfectly demonstrates many of the reasons we chose him in the first place."

Damon's "irresistible sense of humor, heart-melting humility" and "rock-solid family man" status made him the logical winner, People wrote.

Mr. Damon, who has a 1-year-old daughter, Isabella, with Ms. Bozan, says wryly that "all the campaigning" by Mr. Clooney and Mr. Pitt had finally paid off.

Clooney, who won the honor last year, and Brad Pitt, who's nabbed the title twice, have been petitioning for Damon to get the crown for years.

"His eyes pop. They have a twinkle. He's got a good smile. He's quite the dancer," Clooney told the magazine last year.

"You've given an aging suburban dad the ego-boost of a lifetime," Damon told People.

People's "sexiest man alive" list began in 1985 with Mel Gibson.