George Clooney Named Sexiest Man Alive

Brad Pitt, you’ve got company.

George Clooney has been named Sexiest Man Alive for 2006 – joining his pal Pitt as a two-time winner.

“Brad’s going to be upset,” the 45-year-old Oscar winner tells PEOPLE in its special issue.

Then again, after the year Clooney’s had, his buddy will understand. Hollywood’s consummate gentleman kicked things off with an Academy Award (winning Best Supporting Actor for Syriana,) and Clooney further cemented his reputation for social activism, working on behalf of causes to help the troubled Darfur region of Sudan.

And through it all, he’s kept his sense of humor intact. “There’s a lot of pressure,” he says of the Sexiest Man Alive honor. “There are all the events you have to show up for. The sash you have to wear … is embarrassing.”