Sexiest Man Alive’s John Krasinski reflects on his childhood and college years

Before he starred in an Emmy-winning television series, actor John Krasinski roamed the woods or set up a hideout under his parents’ house in Newton.

“I’ve always lived in a different world, whether it’s pirates or some crazy adventure,” Krasinski, who was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive of 2024 on Tuesday, November 11, told the outlet.

“I was a pretty imaginative kid. I think I was crazy a lot,” said the 45-year-old. “I was just trying new things.”

During his interview with People, Krasinski reflected on his upbringing in Massachusetts and how his time at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island made him want to be an actor.

Krasinski attended Newton South High School and graduated in 1997 alongside his “The Office” co-star BJ Novak.

He played sports and was in a band. Krasinski said he “tried to just be a guy who had fun” in high school, adding that he made friends in various groups.

“When we were in a John Hughes movie, I was in a lot of groups and I didn’t stand out in any of them,” he said. “I tried things. I found my way to what I wanted to do.”

If someone were to look at Krasinski’s high school yearbook, they would find lines like, “Thank you for helping me get through my breakup” or “You’re a great shoulder to cry on,” the actor told People.

“I was really there for the moral support of the ladies, not so much in a romantic way.”

Whether it was sports, music or art, Krasinski’s interests made him want to become a teacher. He wanted to major in English and postponed his first semester of college to teach English in Costa Rica, according to his IMDb bio. He then studied English at Brown University.

For someone who claims he has never heard music that wasn’t on the radio or seen a movie that wasn’t in the theater, Krasinski said his college years were “the most mind-expanding experience of my life.” No medication needed.”

“I was lucky enough to go to a great school and get a great education, but the education for me was really about finding those life markers of people that brought me into the world of art, theater or music. “

During his first year, Krasinski asked his friends to give him an album and movie recommendation every week – and they did. He said it was “the greatest education” he could ask for.

Krasinski had revealed that as a child he was a big fan of Steven Spielberg’s works, especially “Indiana Jones” and “ET”. However, his knowledge of films expanded after he was exposed to different film styles. He even revealed the one film that made him pursue acting.

“I was completely blown away by Dead Poets Society,” Krasinski told People. “As soon as Robin Williams got kids to stand on desks, I thought, ‘I want to get kids to stand on desks.'”

This led to Krasinski giving up his teaching ambitions after graduating from Brown University in 2001. He then studied at the Eugene O’Neill National Theater Institute in Waterford, Connecticut before making his film debut in 2002.

Krasinski landed the role of “Jim Halpert” on “The Office” in 2005. He remained in the lead role until the series ended in 2013.

His other major films include Jarhead, The Holiday, Shrek the Third, License to Wed, Leatherheads, Away We Go, It’s Complicated, Something Borrowed, Promised Land “, “Monsters University”, “Aloha”, “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” and “The Hollars”.

He directed and starred in the comedy-drama films Brief Interviews with Hideous Men and the critically acclaimed horror film A Quiet Place.

From 2018 to 2023, Krasinski executive produced and starred in the Amazon Prime Video thriller series “Jack Ryan.”

His production company, Sunday Night Productions, was founded in 2013 and co-created the reality show Lip Sync Battle. Krasinski received three Emmy nominations for the show in the Outstanding Structured Reality Program category.

The actor is married to English actress Emily Blunt, with whom he has two daughters.

“Actually just an instant blackout. No thoughts,” Krasinski told People about the award.

“Apart from the fact that I might get screwed. So I don’t wake up and think, “Is this the day I’m going to be asked to be the Sexiest Man Alive?” And yet it was the day you did it. You guys really raised the bar for me,” he told the outlet.