Credit: People

Actor Bradley Cooper is People Magazine’s pick for the 2011 Sexiest Man Alive.

The 36-year-old actor’s blue eyes, alluring smile and all-American appeal would make any woman swoon, but it’s more than just looks that landed “The Hangover” star the coveted title.

“He’s more than just a good-looking guy,” People senior writer Alexis Chiu said today on “ Good Morning America.” “This guy speaks fluent French, he cooks … he rides a motorcycles, went to Georgetown, loves his mommy a lot and still opens the door for women.”

Cooper follows in the footsteps of past “Sexiest” honorees and Hollywood heavyweights such as George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp  and, most recently, Ryan Reynolds.

Each year since 1985, People editors have selected “the sexiest man alive” to grace one of the magazine’s covers. Mel Gibson, then the gritty star of “Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, ” was the inaugural cover hunk. The issue sold almost 2 million copies and would propel the franchise into a pop culture phenomenon.

PHOTOS: People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive Through the Years

A number of other A-List hunks scored honorable mentions for their smoldering looks, including fresh faces Liam Hensworth and Chris Evans, musicians Justin Timberlake and Tim McGraw, and actors Josh Duhamel, Taye Diggs and James McAvoy. Jennifer Aniston’s current flame, Justin Theroux, also made the list, as well as “Crazy, Stupid, Love” star Ryan Gosling.

The goofy star of ABC’s “Modern Family” Ty Burrell and “Community’s” Joel McHale were singled out in the “Sexy, Funny Guys” category.

“Sense of humor. It’s an old cliche, but it really can be very sexy,” Chiu said on “GMA.”

So what’s sexy in a man? Is it a muscular build? A confident smile or a good sense of humor?

“The person just has to have the total package,” Chiu explained.

By the numbers, 14  of the past Sexiest Men Alive holders have had brown hair. The most common eye color for Sexist Man Alive hunks is blue.

People’s “Sexiest Man Alive 2011? issue hits newsstands this Friday.