Judas Law knows a thing or two about being the The sexiest man in the world. After all, he held the coveted title 20 years ago.

Now, as PEOPLE prepares to crown a new honoree (Patrick Dempsey is the reigning SMA), Law, 51, offers a little advice for the man yet to be named.

“Be yourselves, boys. Be yourself,” he says before joking, “Actually, my advice is to ask George Clooney. Wasn’t he there like six times? (For the record, Clooney was champion twice: in 1997 and 2006.)

Law’s time as Sexiest Man Alive came when he established himself as a bonafide star, headlining films like 2004. Sky Captain and the world of tomorrowwhose producer Jon Avnet gushed, “The uniqueness of Jude is that he has the talent of a character actor and the looks of a leading man.”

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Law’s previous co-stars also paid tribute to him in the cover story: “He is the most beautiful man who ever walked the earth – an absolutely perfect oil painting.” Naomi Wattshis co-star in the comedy I heart Huckabeeshe said at that time.

Aggregate Raquel Weiszwho acted lawfully in Enemy at the gates“He has the most beautiful eyes you’ve ever seen.”

Praise is nice, but the Oscar-nominated actor, at this stage in his career, just wants to focus on doing more good work.

“Honestly, I think my bucket list is to keep working into my 80s and 90s and keep surprising myself,” Law, who stars in the film. new crime drama the orderhe tells PEOPLE. “I always remember watching Peter Greenaway’s film. Prospero’s books with John Gielgud and he was like 80 years old doing this incredible, strange performance and this nudity.”

“And I always remember being blown away by the evidence that this guy, this gentleman of the theater, this guy at the end of his career… he’s still challenging himself and having fun. “I always thought that was a great aspiration.”

The people follow The Sexiest Man Alive will be revealed on Tuesday, November 12