Paul Rudd's Journey: From 'Clueless' to 'Ant-Man' and Beyond
Paul Rudd's incredible career spans decades as he seamlessly transitions between dramatic and comedic roles Witness his remarkable evolution from 'Clueless' to 'Ant-Man' and beyond
Paul Rudd, the perpetually youthful actor, has assumed a variety of roles throughout his lengthy career, transitioning from romantic comedy heartthrob to superhero to one of Hollywood's most humorous performers. Following minor appearances in television movies and series during the 1990s, Rudd skyrocketed to fame with his portrayal of Josh, the romantic interest of Alicia Silverstone's Cher Horowitz, in the 1995 film Clueless.
Paul wrapped up the decade appearing in the TV show Sisters and movies like Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, Romeo + Juliet, and The Object of My Affection. In the early 2000s, he showcased his comedic side with roles such as Andy in the Wet Hot American Summer series, Mike Hannigan on Friends, and Brian Fantana in the Anchorman films.
In 2003, he married Julie Yaeger, and they became parents to Jack and Darby in 2006 and 2010, respectively. Despite his charming jokes and personality, Paul admitted that his children are not always amused. "My favorite thing is when they roll their eyes at my dad jokes, but I know they secretly find them funny," he revealed to Entertainment Tonight in 2018. "They try to fight a smile."
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Scroll below for a look back at Paul’s life and career:
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Paul Rudd Through the Years: From 'Clueless' to 'Ant-Man' and More
Paul Rudd is known as the actor who seems to never age. Throughout his long career, he has played various roles, from romantic comedy heartthrob to superhero to one of Hollywood's most humorous stars. In the 1990s, he started with small roles in TV movies and series before gaining fame with his role as Josh, the love interest of Alicia Silverstone's Cher Horowitz, in the 1995 film Clueless.
In the late 1990s, Paul continued to appear in TV shows like Sisters and movies such as Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, Romeo + Juliet, and The Object of My Affection. As the early 2000s rolled around, he embraced his silly side with roles like Andy in the Wet Hot American Summer franchise, Mike Hannigan on Friends, and Brian Fantana in the Anchorman films. He married Julie Yaeger in 2003 and the couple welcomed son Jack in 2006 and daughter Darby in 2010. Despite his children finding his dad jokes annoying, he continues to charm fans with his humorous personality.
Scroll below for a look back at Paul’s life and career:
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1994-1996
During his early days in Hollywood, Paul featured in series like Wild Oats and Sisters. He also had significant roles in films such as Clueless (1995) and Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, and Romeo + Juliet (1996). It was also in 1995 that he crossed paths with his future wife, Yaeger, in New York City.
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2001-2002
In 2001, he played the role of Andy in the initial Wet Hot American Summer movie. The next year, he appeared as the romantic interest of Lisa Kudrow's character Phoebe Buffay on the television series Friends.
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2003
Paul and Yaeger tied the knot in February 2003.
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2004-2005
The year he finished his role on Friends, the Two Days star portrayed reporter Brian Fantana in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, a role he would later reprise in the film's 2013 sequel, The Legend Continues. Paul also appeared in another iconic comedy, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, the following year.
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2006
The Veronica Mars alum and his wife welcomed their first child, son Jack.
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2007- 2010
Paul continued to rack up several memorable movie roles in I Could Never Be Your Woman, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, I Love You, Man and Dinner for Schmucks.
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2010
Paul and Yaeger became a family of four with the birth of their daughter, Darby.
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2011-2013
He continued to appear in productions like Our Idiot Brother, The Perks of Being a Wallflower and This Is 40. Paul also won a 2012 Critics Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Bobby Newport on Parks and Recreation.
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2015
Paul made his Marvel debut as the superhero Ant-Man in addition to receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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2017
In 2016, he returned as Ant-Man in the third Captain America film, Civil War, and also appeared in the dramedy The Fundamentals of Caring alongside Selena Gomez. He made his third appearance in the Wet Hot American Summer franchise for the Netflix mini-series Ten Years Later.
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2018-2019
Paul embraced intense characters in The Catcher Was a Spy and the television show Living With Yourself. He notably appeared in consecutive Marvel films in 2018 and 2019, with roles in Ant-Man and the Wasp and Avengers: Endgame.
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2021
The comedian,
, was cast in another legendary movie series as Grooberson in the 2021 film Ghostbusters: Afterlife. During that time, he also reconnected with his Anchorman co-star Will Ferrell on the television series The Shrink Next Door, which aired on Apple TV+.
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2023
Paul suited up again for his third headlining Marvel film, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, as well as worked with Gomez again in the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building.
