Paul Rudd is heading to Netflix: All the reasons why he’s the bomb
With upcoming movie releases such as Netflix’s sci-fi flick Mute and Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War and Ant-Man and the Wasp, it feels like the right time to show the – frankly embarrassing – levels of love we have for Paul Rudd.
The 48-year-old actor has been a cherished part of pop culture since the mid-90s, and it doesn’t look as though he’s about to let that change anytime soon. This is fantastic news for the rest of us, because honestly, the guy is just about the best Hollywood has to offer. Here are twelve precise reasons as to why that’s true.
First and foremost, Rudd’s a jaw-dropping babe who doesn’t appear to have aged
In the 26 years Rudd has been charming us on screen, he’s grown inexplicably more handsome, while the rest of us have withered. Where are all the wrinkles, Rudd?
All dreaminess aside, Paul Rudd continues to surprise with TV & movie roles
Seriously, did anyone expect Rudd to star in Duncan Jones’s latest sci-fi epic? And yet there he is in Mute, rocking some phenomenal facial hair, and acting like he owns the place. Which we probably should have expected, considering Rudd has made a career out of unexpected roles.
There was the caring, responsible teacher Mr. Anderson in Perks of a Wallflower, his minor role as the soon-to-be husband of Larry’s (Ben Stiller) ex-wife in Night at the Museum, and the insecure, average Adam in The Shape of Things. The man can and does do just about anything.
Paul Rudd’s TV show guest appearances are always the best
Rudd has starred in some of the greatest cult shows of all time, including Veronica Mars, Reno 911, and Burning Love. But he’s also been one of the best parts of mainstream shows such as Friends – where he played Phoebe’s boyfriend Mike Hannigan – and Parks and Recreation where he fulfilled the role of the hapless, trust-fund politician Bobby Newport.
If Rudd could guest star in as many possible shows currently airing, then television would improve by an immeasurable amount.
Rudd’s nom de plume is Kenny Chin
After realizing 1992 Christian movie A Question of Ethics wasn’t something he wanted to be attached to, Rudd apparently had himself credited as Kenny Chin. Rudd told Maxim magazine, “It turned up on some Christian channel years ago, and somebody called my sister and said, ‘I think I just saw your brother in this weird Christian movie.’ She said, ‘No, there's this guy named Kenny Chin who looks just like him.’”
He co-created the vastly underrated comedy series Party Down
The show, which enjoyed only two perfect seasons before cancellation, followed a group of failed actors who find themselves stuck working for a disastrous catering business.
Party Down boasts an amazing cast including Adam Scott (Ghosted), Lizzy Caplan (Cloverfield), and Ken Marino (Wanderlust), and was co-created with Rob Thomas (Veronica Mars) and Dan Etheridge (iZombie). Party Down remains one of the greatest cult comedies of all time, and Rudd remains a hero for helping make that happen.
Rudd made Slappin’ Da Bass a legit thing
Does anyone legitimately remember anything else from I Love You, Man other than this scene? The phrase has managed to long outlive the legacy of the movie and continues to be quoted to frustrated bass-players the world over.
Paul Rudd once fought Michael Myers, for crying out loud!
In 1995, Rudd starred in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, where he played a character who was personally targeted by the seemingly indestructible killer. There’s no point in dancing around what an absolute abomination the movie is to the horror genre and to cinema itself – but Rudd’s chewing of the scenery and campy comedic skills are an absolute delight to witness.
Paul Rudd joined Billy on the Street to ask New Yorkers a crucial question
Billy Eichner ran around the streets of New York with Rudd in tow to ask “Would you have sex with Paul Rudd?”, and New York responded. Turns out, it was a resounding yes. Obviously.
Rudd’s a visual chameleon who always looks hot no matter what facial hair he’s rocking
Whether he’s rocking a smooth face and preppy cut as Josh in Clueless, a full-on 70s bouffant and porn tashe as Brian Fantana in Anchorman, or the libido-obliterating combo of a sun visor and puka shell necklace in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Rudd somehow manages to stay dreamy. You know it’s serious when even puka shells can’t ruin a person.
Rudd’s entire performance in Clueless – yowza!
Released in 1995, the same year as his baffling turn in one of the worst Halloween movies ever made, Rudd enchanted audiences as Josh in Clueless. He was adorable, had an irresistible dry wit, and it was no surprise Cher (Alicia Silverstone) fell “majorly, totally, butt-crazy in love” with the guy. Everyone else who has ever laid eyes on the film feels the same way about him too.
Paul Rudd’s perfectly comfortable with making fun of himself
Rudd has shown up as himself in multiple shows and movies to great effect over the years – he’s voiced himself in an episode of The Simpsons, played an epic game of chess with Stephen Hawking in TV movie Quantum is Calling, and ran away from the Rapture while clutching an oversized bottle of champagne in This is the End.
Rudd’s the genius who gave Sex Panther to the world
60% of the time it works every time. What more possibly needs to be said about the guy? He’s the greatest.
