LOS ANGELES:James Bond movie actor Pierce Brosnan was named the sexiest man alive by People magazine on Thursday, following in the footsteps of previous heartthrobs Brad Pitt, Richard Gere, Harrison Ford and George Clooney.

Actor Benjamin Bratt, who split with Julia Roberts in June, was named the sexiest single guy alive, while Mexican President Vicente Fox, 59, took the honors for sexiest world leader. Yo Yo Ma was named sexiest classical musician and Dr. Phil McGraw the sexiest self-help guru.

People said Irish-born Brosnan, 48, fitted the bill not because of his dashing, seductive screen role but because of his "character, charisma and integrity -- and his flawless features sure don't hurt."

Brosnan, who starts work on his fourth Bond movie in January, admits to having had his teeth fixed but told People; "I have not had any plastic surgery in any shape or form. No implants. And my hair is not dyed."

"It's pretty wild playing Bond. Bedding and kissing some of the most beautiful women on screen. I get to play it out, so I have no need to do it off-screen," said blue-eyed Brosnan, who married his long-term girlfriend Keely Shaye Smith in Ireland in August.The couple have two children.