Noah Wyle was just named People's Sexiest Man Alive for 2026, but he hasn't gotten too big for his britches. In fact, The Pitt star humbly shared something special he learned decades ago from the late director Rob Reiner. It actually stayed with him all these years. Wyle was a guest on Good Hang With Amy Poehler on October 27. He confided that when he was a young actor in 1992 on the set of A Few Good Men, Reiner did something that deeply impressed him.
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Wyle's First Day on the Set Was Memorable
The movie had a great cast headed by Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise. Noah Wyle was excited to be a part of it. He gushed about Rob Reiner to Amy Poehler. "He was everything you would imagine and want him to be. I've told the story before, but I'm happy to share it as many times as I'm asked about it."
Wyle went on, "I got to the set early for my first day of work. I saw Rob Reiner talking to [writer] Aaron Sorkin, and I didn't want to bother them." He added, "So I started to move away and this big booming voice said, 'Noah.' And I turned, and Rob came at me like a big lumbering bear, and he picked me up."
He Got the Effusive Welcome of His Life
Listening to Noah Wyle tell it, Rob Reiner was filled with infectious enthusiasm. Wyle said, "He goes, 'Hey man, I'm so excited that you're here. We're going to have so much fun today.' And he turned to Aaron and goes, 'This guy's fantastic. Well, you saw the audition. He's great. It's going to be great today. I'm so happy you're here. Listen, it's a little overcast. We're not going to get to your stuff for a little bit. Go check out your room. Go get some breakfast. This is going to be great.'"
Being welcomed so warmly meant a lot to Wyle. "I was so excited that I was so welcomed that he made me feel comfortable and confident [and] competent all in about 8 seconds. And I took that lesson on every set I've ever been on."
Wyle Thanked Reiner Equally Warmly
Some two decades later, Noah Wyle said he had the chance to thank Rob Reiner for giving him such a friendly welcome that day. He told the esteemed director, "I just want to thank you for this gift of set deportment that you gave to me because I've welcomed every guest star onto every set I've ever been on in the same way and gotten their best work and gotten them to be relaxed and to feel comfortable in the same way that you made me feel."
