15 Celebrity Men Who Would Belong On People's Sexiest Men Alive — '90s Edition

Jordan Claes
Johnny Depp brown jacket
Paramount Pictures | Paramount PIctures

The '90s really was an incredible decade. It was a golden era of film and music, once which spawned some of the most sought-after male stars in the history of Hollywood.

So in order to pay homage to the forgotten handsome hunks of yesteryear, here are 15 celebrity men who belong on People's "Sexiest Men Alive" list — '90s edition!

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Above the Rim
New Line Cinema | New Line Cinema

On top of being a hip-hop legend, as well as a social activist, Tupac Shakur also had a budding acting career that was cut short by his tragic death. If you've yet to see Above the Rim, it's without question some of his best work and one of the better sports movies out there.

Patrick Swayze

point break swayze
20th Century Fox | 20th Century Fox

Does this addition even warrant an explanation? I mean, is there anyone out there who could resist a toe-headed Patrick Swayze? How anybody could've ever thought that remaking Point Break was a good idea is beyond me. Some classic just need to be left alone.

Matt LeBlanc

Joey from Friends
Giphy | Friends

Throughout the '90s, you'd be hard-pressed to find a man or woman who wouldn't get weak in the knees upon hearing Matt LeBlanc (Joey Tribbiani) uttering his beloved catchphrase. As far as I'm concerned, it's one of the absolute best in the entire history of television.

Denzel Washington

Denzel as Rubin Carter
Universal Pictures | Universal Pictures

Denzel Washington has always been easy on the eyes; that much has never changed. But if we're attempting to discern when Denzel was at his most handsome, then you need to look no further than his awe-inspiring portrayal of Rubin Carter in The Hurricane.

Keanu Reeves

Neo in the Matrix
Warner Bros. | Warner Bros.

Keanu Reeves has always possessed a certain "Je ne sais qoui." His stoic charms and smoldering good looks have never wavered and only serve to cement his legacy of being one of the most beloved and adored actors in all of Hollywood.

Robert Downey Jr.

RDJ in US Marshalls
Warner Bros. | Warner Bros.

A lot of people neglect RDJ's earlier works. Sure, he'll always be known for portraying Tony Stark (aka Iron Man), but he was a star long before the MCU came knocking at his door. Case and point, one of his best performances came courtesy of a little-known flick called U.S. Marshalls.

Will Smith

Will Smith Independence Day
Giphy | IFC

They don't call him "The Fresh Prince" for nothing! Back in the '90s (and still to this day), Will Smith had legions of adoring fans eating out of the palm of his hand. I still make a point to watch Independence Day at least once a year.

Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger 10 Things I hate About You
Buena Vista Pictures | Buena Vista Pictures

That long hair, those deep penetrating chestnut-colored eyes, and who could ever forget that smile?! Heath Ledger was a proverbial sex symbol throughout the '90s — there's no doubt about it. It still stings to think that such an amazing and promising young talent was stolen from us.

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Cuba Gooding Jr. Boyz n the Hood
Columbia Pictures | Columbia Pictures

There's no denying that Cuba Gooding Jr. has fallen on hard times, but back in the '90s this man could do no wrong. His powerful performances in films like Boyz N the Hood and Jerry Maguire are the stuff of legend and only served to bolster his insatiable good looks and acting allure.

Ryan Phillipe

Ryan Phillipe I Know What You Did Last Summer
Columbia Pictures | Columbia Pictures

I will never forgive Ryan Phillipe for what he did to my girl, Reese Witherspoon. But if I can put down my sword for a moment and try to be objective — there's no denying that Ryan was (and still is) an absolute babe. I defy you to watch Cruel Intentions without getting all hot and bothered.

Freddie Prinze Jr.

Freddie Prinze Jr. in She's All That
Giphy

Freddie Prinze Jr. had it all. He was a legacy in Hollywood with a promising young career. Yet in spite of everything he had going for him — he chose to give it all up and walk away. These days, Freddie is still married to Sarah Michelle Gellar and he makes a living as a professional chef.

Harrison Ford

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Paramount Pictures | Paramount Pictures

When I was a kid growing up, Harrison Ford was pretty much the coolest thing going. How else could you even begin to describe the man who is both Han Solo and Indiana Jone simultaneously?! Sure, he may have been a bit more mature than some of his contemporaries on this list, but he was still every bit the heartthrob.

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt red jack from Fight Club
20th Century Fox | 20th Century Fox

Millions of men all around the world are still walking into gyms and fitness clubs, approaching their physical trainers and proclaiming "I want to look like Brad Pitt in Fight Club." It's largely a pipe dream that will/could never happen, but hey — a guy can always dream.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Leo in Romeo + Juliet
Giphy

I don't care what anybody says, Leonardo DiCaprio has never looked more attractive than when he starred as Romeo Montague in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet. The way his hair fell oh so effortlessly on his face was enough to make anyone swoon.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Paramount Pictures | Paramount PIctures

Johnny Depp is the original movie star of the 1990s. He owned the decade and there's nothing that you or anyone else can say that's going to change my mind. His performances have always been transformative and his style is all his own. It's official — the '90s belonged to Johnny.