Idris Elba and Harry Hamlin Officially Have Something in Common
Can you guess what binds The Wire actor and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills husband together?
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Idris Elba is following in the footsteps of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Lisa Rinna's husband, Harry Hamlin. The 46-year-old British actor was just named 2018's PEOPLE's "Sexiest Man Alive," claiming a title Hamlin won in 1987! And Elba isn't going to argue with the logic of this win — and, frankly, neither are we. (Look at him!)
Upon learning of the prize, Elba told PEOPLE, "I was like, ‘Come on, no way. Really? Looked in the mirror, I checked myself out. I was like, ‘Yeah, you are kind of sexy today.’" All right! Way to claim your greatness! He continued, "But to be honest, it was just a nice feeling. It was a nice surprise — an ego boost for sure."
And Elba insists he wasn't always a shoo-in for the award. At school in London where he grew up, "I was very tall and skinny," the actor shared. "And my name was Idrissa Akuna Elba, OK? I got picked on a little bit. But as soon as I could grow a mustache, I was the coolest kid on the block. Grew a mustache, had some muscles, bonkers."
Since then, Elba has gone on to do other "bonkers" things. He's not only starred in acclaimed TV shows (thinkThe Wire and Luther) and major films; he also deejays, kick-boxes, designs his own clothing line, and plays super-dad to a 16-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son.
"I’m super doting, big hugs, kisses, lots of love-yous. I’m sure my daughter’s like, ‘All right Dad, chill out.’ My son is still at that age where he loves a cuddle," he said.
The November 19 issue of PEOPLE marks the magazine's 33rd "Sexiest Man Alive" issue. (Fun Bravo fact: Andy Cohen received the Sexiest Hair award in PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive issue in 2017.)