Stanley Tucciisn’t sure why he’s considered a sex symbol, but he’s not mad about it.
In an exclusive interview for this week’sPEOPLE cover story, the 61-year-old actor says he “feel(s) great about” the label, even if “I don’t get it.”
“Who goes, ‘I feel terrible about that’? People think I’m sexy? How awful,” he quips. “It’s wonderful. I don’t get it, but I’m very glad.”
As for his general popularity, the host of CNN’s food and travel seriesSearching for Italysays his Instagram following “explod(ed)” back in 2020, after her posted a video of himself putting together a Negroni cocktail.
For more on PEOPLE’s cover story with Stanley Tucci, listen below to our daily podcast on PEOPLE Every Day.
“It changed my life completely,” Tucci says. “All I had to do was be myself.”
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Stanley Tucci.Matt Holyoak
Tucci’s sister-in-law andDevil Wears PradacostarEmily Bluntsings his praises too, telling PEOPLE that the actor, who is married to her sisterFelicity Blunt, is “a beautiful painter” and “a great drummer” — as well as “weirdly flexible,” with “a leg lift that rivalsJane Fonda’s.”
“He’s an all-around renaissance man who knows the way to everyone’s hearts,” says Emily, 39. “And it’s through having a damn good time.”
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TheOscarnominee, who was diagnosed withcancer at the base of his tongue back in 2017and is cancer-free today, tells PEOPLE that the “undying attention, affection and encouragement” from his wife of 10 years (with whom he shares daughterEmilia, 3, and sonMatteo, 7) “got [him] through” the diagnosis and treatments.
As for how he spends his free time these days, Tucci says, “A perfect day off for me would be going to the farmer’s market, buy a bunch of food, start cooking, play with the kids.”
“Then have people over for dinner,” he adds. “To me, that’s just a great day.”
CNN’sSearching for Italyfollows Tucci exploring his Italian roots, putting the spotlight on the many little-known delights ofItaly’s diverse culinary culture. The six-episode first season premiered last February, and won an Emmy months later for outstanding hosted nonfiction series.
For more from Stanley Tucci, pick up the latest issue ofPEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
source: people.com
