Matt Damon has been named The Sexiest Man Alive by People.

While other notable studs were also in contention for the honor - such as Patrick Dempsey, Will Smith and Brad Pitt - one name featured in the upcoming issue might surprise readers: Javier Bardem.

Known right now mostly for sucking face with Penelope Cruz in public, the actor is garnering Oscar talk for his role in No Country for Old Men. And he seems to have a sense of humor about his sex symbol status.

"It just makes me laugh," said Bardem. "I see a guy who looks like he's been beaten with a baseball bat."

But the rising star does at least acknowledge a certain seductive intensity he possesses: "Once you start to get older, you have to focus and be passionate about life day after day."

Amen, Javier. Amen.