"I'm glad it's happening at this point in my life," says the 'Ferrari' actor. "It’s nice to have the recognition, but gives me the platform to use it for something positive."Julie Jordan is an Editor at Large for PEOPLE. She has been with the brand for 25 years, writing cover stories and features and managing special issues including the Beautiful Issue and Sexiest Man Alive.
“I’m glad it’s happening at this point in my life,” the Maine native, 57, tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. “It’s nice to have the recognition, and certainly my ego takes a little bump, but it gives me the platform to use it for something positive.”, and their kids Talula, 21, and 16-year-old twins Sullivan and Darby, as well as honing his penchant for race-car driving.
So what went through his mind when he first heard the news? “I was completely shocked, and then I started laughing, like, this is a joke, right? I’ve always been the bridesmaid!” he says, laughing. “I’d completely forgotten about it and never even contemplated being in this position. So my ego is good.”As for how his kids will respond, Dempsey insists they’re “just going to make fun of me and pick on me and figure out every reason why I shouldn’t be,” he says. “Which is good, they keep me young.”, playing Italian driver Piero Taruffi. The film taught him a lesson in risk-taking — but off the track.
“I’d been following the movie for years, so I called Michael and said, ‘I want to discuss being a part of this,’ ” Dempsey“I’ve got the bumper stickers, T-shirts, posters,” he jokes of his new title. Does this mean he’s peaked? “I peaked many years ago,” he says, laughing. “But I’m still here.