Matthew McConaughey Votes for the Next Sexiest Man Alive (Exclusive)

20 years after he was crowned PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive, Matthew McConaughey, 55, says he knows who to pass the torch to this year.

“Anthony Hopkins!” he told PEOPLE at his annual MJ&M ( Mack, Jack & McConaughey) fundraiser in Austin, TX over April 24-25. “I’ve been marketing for him for years. Have you ever met him in person? He’s a sexy guy! Those eyes.” 

McConaughey and the British acting legend, 87, worked together on the 1997 Steven Spielberg film Amistad, and in January of this year, McConaughey took to Instagram to declare his love for his former costar.

He wrote, “1. it’s past time this Sir is Peoples Sexiest Man Alive. 2. 1st class legend mensch. 3. I mean, who else you want straightening your tie before you hit the stage?”

At the MJ&M gala and auction on April 24, the event’s co-founders, country singer and songwriter star Jack Ingram, 54, and legendary college football coach Mack Brown, 73, had their own opinions about who should be this year’s SMA.

“I think Matthew should be this year’s choice again,” said Brown, while Ingram said his pick would be Willie Nelson. “If Matthew’s going for someone older, so am I!” Ingram said with a laugh. 

McConaughey was also joined by his family at the event, who posed together for the first time in a year: Wife Camila Alves McConaughey, daughter Vida, 15, and sons Levi, 16, and Livingston, 12, who were all raised in Austin. 

After the family posed for photos, they enjoyed the auction where guests raised millions bidding on items like a visit to Kensington Palace, and trips to a private resort in Mexico. The entire two days earned $17 million for children’s organizations like CureDuchenne, the Dell Children’s Medical Center, the Rise School of Austin, and McConaughey’s own just keep livin foundation.

“We were all doing our own charity events and foundations, and Jack had the idea to combine our efforts for a big fundraiser every year, held at the same time and same place,” explained McConaughey of the two-day event, which included a charity golf scramble, a Carolina Herrera fashion show, and a smaller auction and a ‘Jack and Firneds’ concert featuring performances by artists like Miranda Lambert, Butch Walker and Ryan Bingham.

 “This is our 13th year, and it just gets bigger and better,” he continued.

Ingram adds that he was inspired by Willie Nelson, an avid fundraiser himself, to combine their fundraising efforts. “I texted these guys and said, ‘Hey, I’m not Willie Nelson, but I think we can do something fun,’ ” he said with a laugh.

Brown, who was the longtime UNC football coach before pivoting to heading up McConaughey’s beloved University of Texas Longhorns between 1998-2013, said, “I’ve been incredibly lucky in life and so has Jack and so has Matthew, so it’s our obligation and our privilege to give back.”

Looking back at his own Sexiest Man Alive cover two decades later, McConaughey joked with Ingram and Brown, asking how his hairline was holding up. 

“You still got it,” they assured him. 

“And I’m still alive!” he said with a laugh.