Talent, humor, charisma, and a pair of mesmerizing green eyes. From lending his voice in an episode of Marvel’s What If..?, reprising his role as Ant-Man, starring in the upcoming film Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and being named as People’s 2021 Sexiest Man Alive, this is Paul Rudd’s year.
However, the 52-year old actor has proven throughout his career that he’s more than “just a pretty face”.
When it comes to acting skills, Paul has been able to pull off incredible performances in different types of genres, earning the respect from the critics and the love from the audience.
From Clueless to Friends, here are a few movies and tv shows where Paul Rudd’s acting skills stand out.
Clueless
[Image: Paramount Pictures]
In this 1995’s American teen comedy film, which is loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma, Paul Rudd stars as Josh, the ex-stepbrother of Alicia Silverstone’s Cher. Upon its release, Clueless earned a nice score by the critics, such as the Chicago Sun-Times, The New York Times, and Rotten Tomatoes.
This cult classic film shows a young Paul Rudd whose character is an aspiring lawyer with a social and environmental consciousness. While there have been some questions regarding the relationship between Cher and Josh, there’s no denying that Clueless has become one of the most well-known films of Rudd whose portrayal of a smart and lovable guy would catch the attention of the entertainment industry.
Living with Yourself
[Image: Netflix]
Living with Yourself is a comedy-drama, also known as dramedy, Netflix series. Here, Paul is in charge of acting the protagonist’s story. Miles Elliot is a struggling man who, after going through a strange procedure that would help him become a better person, discovers he’s been replaced by a clone version of himself.
Both Paul and the series earned good reviews and award nominations, in which Paul Rudd was nominated for ‘best actor in a comedy series’ for 2020’s Golden Globe Awards and Critics’ Choice Television Awards.
CNET editor, Leslie Katz, described his acting as the following: “The series is at its best when the versatile and effortlessly comic Rudd acts opposite himself, switching from smarmy to downtrodden to just plain charming with a simple smirk or eyebrow twitch”.
Ant-Man
[Image: Marvel Entertainment]
Despite being one of the founding members of the Avengers, Ant-Man has been one of the lesser-known Marvel superheroes. Yet, this would change right after Paul Rudd starred as the hero in 2015. Rudd accepted the challenge of portraying Scott Lang, a character that wasn’t even the first Ant-Man (that title belonged to Hank Pym).
Nevertheless, the film turned out to be a success thanks to the charismatic performance of Paul, who earned his place among the MCU’s mightiest heroes, secured two sequels, and even has a guest appearance at two Disney’s attractions.
Plus, he was also nominated as best actor in the Saturn Awards and the Critics’ Choice Awards.
Friends
[Image: Warner Bros. Studios]
Of course, we had to mention Mike Hannigan, the man who stole the heart of Phoebe Buffay, and who also became a favorite among the fans of the popular show. Being one of the most recurring supporting characters, Paul Rudd appeared in a total number of 18 episodes of Friends. He managed to surpass the appearance of Ben Geller and Carol in the show!
From changing his name to point out how silly it was for Phoebe to be known as Princess Consuela Banana Hammock, his award hang-out with Ross, and standing up against his parents, Paul created a romantic and funny guy who could easily share the screen with the main cast.
As well as Gunther, played by the late James Michael Tyer, some of the Friend’s audience considered Paul’s character as the seventh friend. That’s why many felt disappointed when it was announced that Paul Rudd wouldn’t appear at Friends: The Reunion.
Cover photo: Marvel Entertainment
