At a Glance
- George Clooney, 64, mocked AARP Magazine for lacking a sexy superlative
- He proposed a geriatric twist on News Of Losangeles‘s Sexiest Man Alive: “Sexiest Man Still Alive”
- Clooney handed the first nomination to his ER wingman Noah Wyle
- Why it matters: The quip spotlights Hollywood’s playful grapple with aging
George Clooney still knows how to work a room. Accepting the Best Actor trophy at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards on January 10, the Oscar winner roasted the hosting organization for skipping pop-culture’s favorite honor.
The Pitch
Mid-speech, Clooney pivoted to the magazine sitting in every member’s mailbox.
“By the way, AARP, just a thought – your magazine, once a year, you [should] do the Sexiest Man Still Alive,” he cracked.
The crowd erupted. Clooney milked the moment, adding, “I’m just saying, I want that out there as an idea.”
The First Nominee
Clooney didn’t leave the bit hanging. He immediately crowned his former ER co-star Noah Wyle as inaugural material.
“I would nominate Noah Wyle as the first guy,” he said, moments after presenting Wyle with the Best Actor, TV award.
The affectionate nod capped a reunion years in the making. The pair reflected on their friendship from the NBC medical drama’s 1994-2009 run, trading barbs and memories at the Beverly Hills ceremony hosted by Alan Cumming.
Clooney’s Own Sexiest Credentials
Clooney can speak with authority on the subject. News Of Losangeles first handed him the Sexiest Man Alive crown in 1997. His ER castmate Laura Innes summed up the appeal then: “The rap on George is that he’s this rake, this guy’s guy. That’s true, but he is also a dear, loyal friend who would do anything for you. It’s almost like being a family member.”
Nine years later, the magazine tapped him again, making Clooney only the second double inductee after Brad Pitt (1995 and 2000).
The Fresh Class
Jonathan Bailey now holds the Sexiest Man Alive title, making history in 2025 as the first openly gay man featured. Recent predecessors include:
- John Krasinski – 2024
- Patrick Dempsey – 2023
- Chris Evans – 2022
- Paul Rudd – 2021
- Michael B. Jordan – 2020
AARP’s Existing Honor Roll
AARP already wades into the attractiveness pool. In August 2025, the organization debuted its Movies for Grownups Hottest Actors Over 50 list. Both Clooney and Wyle secured spots, lending extra punch to Clooney’s joke.
The Charity Behind the Laughs
The awards gala doubles as a fundraiser for the AARP Foundation, which supports older adults across the United States. This year’s ceremony spotlighted film and TV projects that center characters aged 50-plus.
More Winners
Additional 2026 honorees included:
- Kathy Bates – acting accolades
- Laura Dern – acting accolades
- Adam Sandler – Career Achievement Award
Age Is Just a Setup
Clooney, 64, leaned into the milestone throughout the evening. While accepting his Best Actor prize for the drama Jay Kelly, he ribbed younger star Timothée Chalamet, poking fun at generational divides in Hollywood.
Wyle returned the love during his own acceptance speech, praising Clooney’s latest performance and their enduring bond.
Key Takeaways
- Clooney turned an awards-show podium into a comedy club, pitching AARP Magazine a senior spin on News Of Losangeles‘s signature superlative
- The joke doubled as a tribute to Noah Wyle, cementing their ER brotherhood decades after the series finale
- With Clooney and Wyle both landing on AARP’s Hottest Actors Over 50 list, the gag lands even closer to home
