PAUL RUDD

Paul Stephen Rudd, born April 6, 1969, in Passaic, New Jersey, is an acclaimed American film and television actor, producer, writer, and comedian. At 56 years old, he’s known for his charm, youthful demeanor, and seamless versatility—comfortably moving between blockbuster comedies, Marvel epics, stage work, and heartfelt indie films .

Early Life & Family Roots

Rudd was raised in a dynamic household rooted in English-Jewish heritage. His parents, Michael and Gloria Rudd, emigrated from London and instilled British customs and humor in him—from afternoon teas to enjoying The Beano comics . The family relocated frequently due to Michael’s job with Trans World Airlines, living in California and finally settling in Kansas City when Paul was ten . Michael’s passing in 2008 was a formative moment, and Paul often credits his father’s wisdom—like “try to do something that adds to the pot”—as a guiding philosophy in life .

Education & Early Career

Rudd attended Shawnee Mission West High School in Kansas, graduating in 1987, and placed fifth in the national Humorous Interpretation competition . He performed theater at the University of Kansas, then honed his craft at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, even spending time studying Jacobean drama at Oxford’s British American Drama Academy . Early on, he balanced odd jobs—like ham glazing—and DJ gigs at bar mitzvahs while pursuing theater and small TV roles.

Breakthrough on Screen

Paul’s on-screen debut came in 1991 with a commercial, followed by recurring roles on series like Sisters and Wild Oats . He rose to fame with his breakout supporting role in the cult classic Clueless (1995), followed by notable performances in Romeo + Juliet (1996), Anchorman (2004), The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005), and Judd Apatow comedies like Knocked Up (2007) . His charm and relatability shone through across genres.

MCU & Major Film Roles

Rudd’s superhero alter ego, Scott Lang / Ant‑Man, debuted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Ant‑Man (2015) and has continued through multiple sequels and team-up films, including Captain America: Civil War and Ant‑Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) . He also starred as Gary Grooberson in Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024), and took on darker comedic roles in Death of a Unicorn (2025) and the TIFF-featured Friendship (2025) .

Television & Theater Highlights

On television, Paul portrayed Mike Hannigan on Friends (2002–2004), earning wide affection . He received a Critics’ Choice Television Award for his guest role as Bobby Newport on Parks and Recreation  and earned a Golden Globe nomination for his dual performance in Netflix’s Living with Yourself (2019) . He’s also hosted Saturday Night Live five times and appeared in Broadway productions such as Three Days of Rain (2006) .

Awards & Public Image

His accolades include a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2015), “Sexiest Man Alive” by People magazine (2021), and Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Man of the Year (2018) . Known for his humor about aging, he jokes about “pure darkness—and a little moisturizer” keeping him youthful .

Family & Off-Screen Passion

Rudd married Julie Yaeger in 2003; they have two children (born 2006 and 2010) and live in Rhinebeck, NY . They co-own Samuel’s Sweet Shop, which they saved from closure in 2014 . A devoted sports fan, he frequently cheers for the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs and narrated their Super Bowl retrospectives .

Philanthropy & Advocacy

Paul champions causes close to his heart, such as stuttering awareness through the Stuttering Association for the Young, hosting benefits for them in 2018 . He also co-founded Big Slick, an annual Kansas City celebrity fundraiser for Children’s Mercy Hospital, and supports Alzheimer’s awareness via Hilarity for Charity .

Continuing Legacy

With an enduring career that bridges heartfelt indie dramas, mega-franchise blockbusters, hit comedies, and thought-provoking theater, Paul Rudd remains a beloved and relevant figure in entertainment. His warm humor, grounded humanity, and dedication both on and off screen keep him resonant with fans of all generations.