Matthew McConaughey Says 'It’s Past Time' Anthony Hopkins Was Named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive

Mar. 15, 2025

Anthony Hopkins (left) and Matthew McConaughey.Photo:Matthew McConaughey/Instagram

Matthew McConaughey/Instagram

Matthew McConaugheyis campaigning for his old friend!On Sunday, Jan. 19, the actor, 55, shared a set of images with his celebrity pals onInstagramfrom the 2025 Joy Awards in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In the caption, he nominatedAnthony Hopkinsfor the coveted PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive title.The first snap showed McConaughey posing with Hopkins. The two were both dressed in black suits for the formal event. Hopkins, 87, wrapped his arm around McConaughey’s shoulder for the photo, while theSing 2star pointed to Hopkins with a smile on his face.The carousel continued with a selfie of McConaughey andMorgan Freeman, as well as a friendly shot ofMartin Lawrencefixing McConaughey’s bowtie.The post was a reunion of sorts as McConaughey, Hopkins and Freeman all starred together inSteven Spielberg’s 1997 historical dramaAmistad.McConaughey captioned the post with commentary on each photo, writing, “1. it’s past time this Sir is Peoples Sexiest Man Alive / 2. 1st class legend mensch / 3. I mean, who else you want straightening your tie before you hit the stage?“TheDallas Buyer’s Clubstar’s ringing endorsement for Hopkins comes nearly 20 years after he himself was namedPEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2005.He looked back on the honor in a2024 interview with PEOPLE, saying, “People tell me, ‘You’re no longer the Sexiest Man Alive, McConaughey,’ for the last 19 years, every time someone else has been crowned. And I say, ‘Well, I’m still alive. Come on!’ “He added, “If you’re named it and you’re still alive, you’re still Sexiest Man Alive. That was my joke going forward with everything.“In December 2024, the Oscar winnerannounced a new weekly newslettercalledLyrics of Livin', described as “a collection of thought-provoking notes, tips, truths and inspirations he’s gathered over decades of life.“Matthew McConaughey.Ammar Rowaid/Patrick McMullan via Getty I"I’ve journaled and scribbled down good times, bad times, turn-offs and turn-ons for more than four decades now, and as you may know, many of those journal entries were what inspired my bookGreenlights,” McConaughey, who published his memoir in 2020, said in a statement.“Which got me thinking, what if I didn’t wait 40 more years to share my thoughts, prescribes, tips, truths and inspirations: Things I’ve seen, said, stole and heard along my way that can help us find more Greenlights in our life and put a little rhyme to our reason,” he added.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Earlier this month, McConaughey’s wifeCamila, whom he’s been married to since 2012, sharedwhat her husband is really like behind his public persona.“When we first start dating, it was this image of Matthew of getting high, laid back, no shirt, whatever,” she said onSouthern Living’sBiscuits & Jampodcast. “Which I’m like, ‘The guy doesn’t even smoke. What is this vision coming from?’ “Camila, 41 — whoshares three childrenwith her the actor — went on to describe his true personality, saying, “He’s actually the opposite, and he’s like his mom.”She continued: “She’s very organized, very minimalistic, very on time, very prepared, and he gets a lot of those traits from her.”

Matthew McConaugheyis campaigning for his old friend!

On Sunday, Jan. 19, the actor, 55, shared a set of images with his celebrity pals onInstagramfrom the 2025 Joy Awards in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In the caption, he nominatedAnthony Hopkinsfor the coveted PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive title.

The first snap showed McConaughey posing with Hopkins. The two were both dressed in black suits for the formal event. Hopkins, 87, wrapped his arm around McConaughey’s shoulder for the photo, while theSing 2star pointed to Hopkins with a smile on his face.

The carousel continued with a selfie of McConaughey andMorgan Freeman, as well as a friendly shot ofMartin Lawrencefixing McConaughey’s bowtie.

The post was a reunion of sorts as McConaughey, Hopkins and Freeman all starred together inSteven Spielberg’s 1997 historical dramaAmistad.

McConaughey captioned the post with commentary on each photo, writing, “1. it’s past time this Sir is Peoples Sexiest Man Alive / 2. 1st class legend mensch / 3. I mean, who else you want straightening your tie before you hit the stage?”

TheDallas Buyer’s Clubstar’s ringing endorsement for Hopkins comes nearly 20 years after he himself was namedPEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2005.

He looked back on the honor in a2024 interview with PEOPLE, saying, “People tell me, ‘You’re no longer the Sexiest Man Alive, McConaughey,’ for the last 19 years, every time someone else has been crowned. And I say, ‘Well, I’m still alive. Come on!’ “

He added, “If you’re named it and you’re still alive, you’re still Sexiest Man Alive. That was my joke going forward with everything.”

In December 2024, the Oscar winnerannounced a new weekly newslettercalledLyrics of Livin', described as “a collection of thought-provoking notes, tips, truths and inspirations he’s gathered over decades of life.”

Matthew McConaughey.Ammar Rowaid/Patrick McMullan via Getty I

Ammar Rowaid/Patrick McMullan via Getty I

“I’ve journaled and scribbled down good times, bad times, turn-offs and turn-ons for more than four decades now, and as you may know, many of those journal entries were what inspired my bookGreenlights,” McConaughey, who published his memoir in 2020, said in a statement.

“Which got me thinking, what if I didn’t wait 40 more years to share my thoughts, prescribes, tips, truths and inspirations: Things I’ve seen, said, stole and heard along my way that can help us find more Greenlights in our life and put a little rhyme to our reason,” he added.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Earlier this month, McConaughey’s wifeCamila, whom he’s been married to since 2012, sharedwhat her husband is really like behind his public persona.

“When we first start dating, it was this image of Matthew of getting high, laid back, no shirt, whatever,” she said onSouthern Living’sBiscuits & Jampodcast. “Which I’m like, ‘The guy doesn’t even smoke. What is this vision coming from?’ "

Camila, 41 — whoshares three childrenwith her the actor — went on to describe his true personality, saying, “He’s actually the opposite, and he’s like his mom.”

She continued: “She’s very organized, very minimalistic, very on time, very prepared, and he gets a lot of those traits from her.”

source: people.com