Noah Wyle has been a familiar face on television since 1994, but his career has experienced a resurgence in recent years, with back-to-back Emmy wins and a Golden Globe for his role as Dr. Michael Robinavitch in HBO’s The Pitt.
This put him in the running for People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive title alongside names including Bad Bunny, David Corenswet, Michael B. Jordan, Jacob Elordi, and others.
The 55-year-old actor was crowned the winner on Tuesday, October 27, much to his own surprise, as he was quoted as saying, “Not in a million years did I think that this would be an honor bestowed on me.”
Instead of congratulations, however, he faced a serious accusation from netizens.
“Noah Wyle is committing levels of fraud never seen before,” one person wrote.
Noah Wyle’s Sexiest Man Alive win has netizens raising eyebrows
Wyle initially thought he was being pranked when he learned that he had beaten the other contenders in the People Sexiest Man Alive race.
He then joked that he hoped the recognition would ensure his life ahead was all “wine and roses, milk and honey.”
“I am going to take a lot of ribbing from friends and family for sure,” he added.
Social media users, however, were far less enthusiastic about the announcement, with several suggesting that he had bought the recognition rather than earned it.
“Oh this man definitely paid people for the title. I don’t believe for one moment that he won it fairly,” one commenter said.
“He paid millions for that spot, bro,” another alleged.
“Buying a magazine title is a new low. I’m not even shocked he reached [it],” a third wrote.
The alleged purchase of the title was not the only aspect of Wyle’s win that drew criticism.
Noah Wyle’s looks came under scrutiny after he was named Sexiest Man Alive
Wyle’s successful television career has not convinced everyone that he ranks among Hollywood’s most handsome stars.
After People announced his win earlier that day, one X user wrote, “I am genuinely worried about us as a society.”
“They just be handing this out to any man these days,” another decried.
A third questioned the decision, commenting, “going from Jonathan Bailey to this is just…”
Some viewers went a step further, arguing that Wyle was not even the most attractive actor among his co-stars.
“Absolutely no way anyone with eyes thought he was the sexiest man in media this last year or even in his own show (there are 3 men that immediately come to mind ahead of him in The Pitt itself),” one person remarked.
“Shawn Hatosy [Dr. Jack Abbot] deserves the award,” another added.
This is not the first time Wyle has faced backlash over his appearance
Wyle’s 2026 Emmy Award outing also drew considerable attention on social media, as previously reported by Bored Panda.
The actor bagged the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for The Pitt, but some viewers focused instead on his hair, claiming it appeared more voluminous than it had the previous year.
The observation soon sparked speculation that the star might have undergone a hair transplant.
“He definitely took a trip to Turkey,” one commenter wrote, referencing the country’s reputation as a destination for cosmetic procedures.
“He and that Turkey hairline are a scam,” another remarked.
Wyle was also accused of buying his Emmy award at the time
Jesse Grant/Variety via Getty Images
Wyle delivered a heartfelt speech after receiving the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor, saying, “I grew up in LA. I’m a Hollywood kid. I was raised on a television, and movie theaters were my place of worship.”
Acting was “all I ever wanted to do,” he added.
While many viewers praised his work on The Pitt as his “best performance” and felt he deserved the recognition, others questioned the legitimacy of his win without giving a reason.
“Bought,” one commenter stated.
“They just had to fire almost the entire female cast to buy the award,” another alleged.
“Worst choice in years”: Netizen slams Noah Wyle’s Sexiest Man Alive title
