Watch Paul Rudd in the 5 roles that made his career
How did Ant-Man Paul Rudd get where he is today? By taking on some interesting, often raunchy, comedic roles.
‘CLUELESS’ (1995)
Most audiences first encountered Rudd in this romantic comedy, playing the dreamy, idealistic ex-stepbrother of a vapid Beverly Hills teen (Alicia Silverstone). In the film, Rudd wears his own KU hat, which the wardrobe department eventually lost. But everything else worked out great for him after the movie became a surprise hit.
‘THE SHAPE OF THINGS’ (2003)
KU classmate Neil LaBute wrote and directed this cautionary tale about an edgy art student (Rachel Weisz) who begins transforming an unassuming dork (Rudd) into her pet project. It’s the actor’s darkest role to date and one of his most divisive films.
‘THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN’ (2005)
Everybody remembers the chest-waxing scene in this obnoxious comedy about Steve Carell’s stalled love life. But as his advice-spewing co-worker, Rudd is most hilarious during sparring matches with their uptight boss (Jane Lynch). As he says about the Michael McDonald concert videos she continually plays at work: “If I hear ‘Yah Mo Be There’ one more time, I’m going to ‘Yah Mo’ burn this place to the ground.”
‘I LOVE YOU, MAN’ (2009)
Jason Segel, Rashida Jones and the band Rush all make perfect co-stars for Rudd in this beloved bro-comedy. He plays a friendly-but-friendless dude who hopes to find a best man in time for his wedding. “I Love You, Man” features his most quotable lines, from “Slappa da bass, mon” to “Totes McGotes” — all of which mean little out of context.
‘THIS IS 40’ (2012)
Rudd’s and Leslie Mann’s supporting characters from “Knocked Up” earn their own project in this unflinchingly frank look at the ongoing marriage between individuals who are “like a magnet for negativity.” Rudd proves that he’s one of the best actors around at playing a fundamentally nice guy whose actions are so frustrating.
(Read our interview with Paul Rudd here.)
This story was originally published July 10, 2015 at 10:28 AM with the headline "Watch Paul Rudd in the 5 roles that made his career."