Even Christopher Meloni gets a little starstruck sometimes.

The Law & Order: Organized Crime actor, 64, is one of PEOPLE’s Sexiest Men Alive for 2025, and he’s spilling the beans on just what (and who) he finds sexy.

“A sense of humor. Grounded-ness. Not taking oneself too seriously. Those are all qualities that are attracting. If I’m attracted to someone, there is a sexiness involved,”.

While the fifth season of Organized Crime airs on NBC this fall, Meloni is also working on a new show from This Is Us creator Dan Folgelman. He’s set to play an NFL coach and star alongside Mandy Moore and William H. Macy.

One actor in particular, however, holds a special place in Meloni’s heart.

“Well, one time I was at this celebration of an acting teacher’s life, and Kate Winslet was there. I went home and I told my wife because I couldn’t stop looking at her — and I’m not usually that guy. I was making excuses to look at Kate Winslet; she was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Meloni says when asked about his “celebrity crush.”

“I never should have told my wife all this. She’s never forgiven me. Or rather, she’s never let me forget. But to see Kate Winslet in real life? I went, ‘Oh my God.’ And she’s earthy and she’s ballsy. She’s cool,” he adds.

In his own marriage, Meloni says he and wife Sherman Williams have the whole thing down pat. They’ve been married for 30 years and share two kids (Sophia, 24, and Dante, 21).

The trick to their longstanding success?

“Not being apart for too long,” says Meloni.

“It used to be three weeks, and that is the zone. But allowing that freedom, though, knowing that you have a zone. And I’m a big fan of ‘I love you’ with my wife and children. My kids are always telling me they love me still, too,” he adds.