Johnny Depp Is Sexiest Man Alive, according to People Magazine

Actor Johnny Depp was called sexiest man alive by People magazine. This is the second time People magazine has anointed the 46-year-old Johnny Depp the sexiest man alive (he was given the honor back in 1993) and so Johnny Depp now becomes People's Sexiest Man Alive two times.

Photo: Johnny Depp Is Sexiest Man Alive, according to People Magazine

The announcement comes as something of a surprise as many expected the People's sexiest man alive 2009 crown to go to "Twilight" series star Robert Pattinson, who, without question, is the hunk du jour. And, as msnbc notes, the honor typically goes to a man who, like Robert Pattinson, has been the recipient of recent media attention due to his involvement in a big movie event ("The Twilight Saga: New Moon" opens nationwide on Friday.)

So why has Johnny Depp been named People's sexiest man alive in 2009? After all, Johnny Depp is not currently promoting a movie. He hasn't even been on the media's radar screen since last summer, when he starred in "Public Enemies," Associated Content reports.

It was also reported, Depp, whom People described as "the king of cool with the killer cheekbones," succeeded 2008 winner Hugh Jackman. Other stars who have received the honor twice include George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

"Whether it's onscreen in roles like Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise or at home with his family on their private Bahamian island, the 46-year-old father of two with 25 years in show business still reigns as Hollywood's most irresistible iconoclast," People said in a statement.

Past winners include Matt Damon in 2007, George Clooney in 2006, Matthew McConaughey in 2005, Jude Law in 2004, Ben Affleck in 2002, Pierce Brosnan in 2001 and Brad Pitt in 2000, Reuters reports.

Meanwhile, MTV News had a chance to chat with Depp, People magazine's newly anointed Sexiest Man Alive, on Tuesday night at the Museum of Modern Art's Tim Burton retrospective in New York, and the star revealed several key points. He hasn't seen a script. He's unsure of what the story line will be. And while he's keen to step into the boots of pirate Jack Sparrow once again, he stopped well short of making a 100 percent commitment to return.

"The thing is, I'd love to do it," Depp responded when asked if he could assure the public that he'd reprise the role. Then he began to hedge a bit.

"If there's a script and a story that is outside of what we've done before and it's worthy of the audience's attention, I would definitely do it," he said, MTV.com reports.