Theron crowned Sexiest Woman by Esquire

By Bob Tourtellotte

LOS ANGELES (Reuters Life!) - Charlize Theron seems to have it all: beauty, brains, a high-earning Hollywood career and an Oscar in her hands. Now, the actress has added another coveted description: Sexiest Woman Alive.

Men's magazine Esquire on Wednesday bestowed its annual honor on the South African actress who is currently starring in war film, "In the Valley of Elah."

"She combines unbelievable beauty with a smart mind and this attitude like she's almost one of the guys -- like you could hang out and have a beer with -- and all of that adds up to sexy," said Esquire articles editor Ryan D'Agostino.

In its November issue, which hits newsstands on October 16, Theron, 32, talks about her new movie, politics, being from South Africa and her feelings about the United States, where she recently earned dual citizenship.

The long-legged, blonde beauty also shows a penchant for drinking, cussing and smoking, and she tears up when talking about the recent death of her dog.

The issue annually is one of Esquire's most widely read, and it generates debate among readers, D'Agostino said.

He added that every year the Sexiest Woman exudes some sense of individuality, and that there is no set of criteria or rules by which the magazine's editors, writers and other contributors pick the titleholder.

D'Agostino did say the magazine likes to choose someone based on how current they are in pop culture. After taking time off following 2005 film "North Country," Theron is back with two movies, "Elah" and "Battle in Seattle," this year and has several others set for release next year and beyond.