Hollywood actor Matt Damon was named this year’s Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine but his reaction was endearingly modest, as he said his 9-year-old stepdaughter now considers him cool – “well, cooler.”

People magazine has been announcing one male actor as the Sexiest Man Alive for more than two decades (well, with slight variations, such as 1993’s Sexiest Couple – Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford). 2007 is the year of Matt Damon who, at 37, is “the golden boy with the crooked smile” in the magazine’s opinion.

“George Clooney and Brad Pitt have shamelessly campaigned for him since 2001, but all it takes is one look at Damon's piercing blue eyes, crooked smile and family-guy demeanor to understand why he has been chosen,” the magazine said in a statement.

Damon accepted the award shyly. “You gave an aging suburban dad the ego boost of a lifetime,” he wrote in a letter to People. “I was floored when I heard you guys voted me the Sexiest Man Alive. My 9-year-old stepdaughter now thinks I'm cool – well, cooler.”

His letter was considered as further proof of merit by People. The letter “perfectly demonstrates many of the reasons we chose him in the first place: irresistible sense of humor, rock solid family man, heart-melting humility,” the magazine’s website says.

“At the risk of being forward,” Damon’s letter continued, “if you asked me (which you didn't) I would suggest Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for this award. He's like a taller, better-looking version of me anyway. Plus, he's the best quarterback in the history of football.

“Don't get me wrong, though. I was really shocked and happy (Lucy said I actually blushed) when I heard the news. So I can't thank you enough for that.”

Previous recipients of the magazine’s sexy title have been Sean Connery, Harrison Ford, George Clooney, Ben Affleck, Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp. The last three appear on the new list of sexiest men, along with Patrick Dempsey, Ryan Reynolds, James McAvoy, Dave Annable, Will Smith, Javier Bardem and Justin Timberlake, among others.

Matt Damon’s recent screen credits include the Robert De Niro-directed “The Good Shepherd,” Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed” and the third film for two successful trilogies, “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “Ocean's Thirteen” respectively.

The actor has been married to Argentine-born Luciana Barroso since 2005. The couple welcomed their first child together, daughter Isabella, in June 2006. Damon is stepfather to Luciana’s daughter Alexia, from her previous marriage.