Paul Rudd’s 10 Best Roles

The post Paul Rudd’s 10 Best Roles appeared first on Consequence.

What does a birthday mean to a man who doesn’t seem to age? That’s the sort of joke Paul Rudd may or may not be sick of hearing at this point in his life, now in his 50s after a long career packed with great moments. Yet it’s a factor in his long-lasting appeal, as an actor who has never stopped being compelling in a wide range of projects, from iconic guest star spots in some of our best comedy series to anchoring his own superhero franchise.

While his resume does include dramatic roles, which he handles capably, Rudd tends to be at his best in the world of comedy — his particular brand of handsomeness has a way of heightening the most absurd of premises. Take, for example, his cult favorite appearance on Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job (“now Tayne, I can get into”) or perhaps really his greatest role: the world’s biggest Mac & Me fan.

Or also, consider some of the films and shows listed below, which represent some of his most beloved big swings… so far. After all, the man is timeless, which means there’s surely more to come.

— Liz Shannon Miller

10. Dave Paris, Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Romeo + Juliet (20th Century Fox)

Most people walked out of Baz Luhrmann’s masterful, maximalist take on the Shakespeare text thinking of Leo, Claire Danes, or Harold Perrinau’s electric take on Mercutio, but Paul Rudd nails it as the forgotten bore that is Paris. He’s so handsome, delightful at the Halloween ball in his astronaut getup, and all-around perfect at moving throughout the background action in the story of fraught lovers and family drama. It’s different from many of the other roles in his canon, but a very essential one. — Mary Siroky

09. Mike Hannigan, Friends (TV) (2002-2004)

Friends (NBC)

Rudd joined the cast of the iconic NBC sitcom in its ninth season, giving Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) an outside love interest and finally breaking the titular friends out of their incestuous cycles. Mike was more than just a random boyfriend, though, and Rudd got the opportunity across 17 episodes to prove his worthiness as an eventual husband, while also proving his sharp comedic instincts. — L.S.M.

08. Peter Klaven, I Love You, Man (2009)

I Love You, Man (Paramount)

If there’s one word that sums up all of Paul Rudd’s most recognizable characters, it’s lovable. The man oozes a type of charisma that’s immediately comforting. So, it’s no wonder that one of his best roles comes from a movie all about love – just instead of your usual romantic comedy, it’s a bro-mantic comedy. The dynamic between Rudd and co-star Jason Segel is palpable, and it’s refreshing to see Rudd largely take the role of the straight man. The fact he is still as funny as ever is a testament to his on-screen talents, and if you tell us that this film doesn’t make you want to be best friends with Rudd, we’ll tell you to stop lying to yourself. – Jonah Krueger

07. Pete, This Is 40 (2012)

This Is 40 (Universal)

In this loose sequel to Knocked Up, Rudd reprises the character of Pete, who now owns his own record label while remaining semi-happily married to Debbie (Leslie Mann) and parenting their two daughters (Maude Apatow, Iris Apatow). Rudd’s performance in this film is underrated, as his character is funny without trying, a technique that he has mastered — while This Is 40’s plot is kind of all over the place, as chaos and financial stress only accentuates the problems within Pete and Debbie’ marriage, dare I say that Pete essentially carries the film? Rudd’s mannerisms, plus the running joke about Pete’s oddly specific music tastes, made for some of the more memorable aspects of the movie. — Sun Noor

06. Brian Fantana, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (Dreamworks)

When it comes to the KVWN Channel 4 News Team, Ron Burgundy (Will Farrell) is the most iconic, Brick Tamland (Steve Carell) is the silliest, “Champ” Kind (David Koechner) is the wildest, but Paul Rudd’s Brian Fantana is the secret sauce that makes it all work. Rudd manages to strike the perfect balance between being one of the more grounded characters in the Anchorman universe and leaning into the film’s unique brand of tomfoolery, delivering some of the funniest, most absurd lines in the franchise (his Sex Panther cologne alone earns Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy on this list). — J. Krueger

05. Bobby Newport, Parks and Recreation (TV) (2012-2015)

Parks and Recreation (NBC)

Bobby Newport has never worked a day in his LIFE, but Paul Rudd worked that character like no other. As the goofball son of Pawnee’s richest family, he’s responsible for some of the very funniest scenes in an overall very funny show; he plays off Amy Poehler expertly, wildly likable even as her political rival. Every time he showed up onscreen was a pure delight. — M. Siroky

04. Joel, They Came Together (2014)

They Came Together (Lionsgate)

Paul Rudd’s fifth collaboration with The State’s David Wain was 2014’s They Came Together, a hilarious spoof of romantic comedies. Alongside a similarly magnetic Amy Poehler, Rudd embodies every male rom-com lead possible without ever losing his signature comedic essence. With each joke (and there are so, so many, to the point where the film’s joke density is bewildering), Rudd cycles between earnest throw-away lines to straight-up absurdity — his lightning-quick “Um… what the fuck?” when he learns that his girlfriend’s parents are white supremacists is a perfect example of an actor lifting simple words on a page to brilliant heights. It’s a comedic masterclass, and one of his more underrated roles to date. — Paolo Ragusa

03. Josh, Clueless (1995)

Clueless (Paramount)

When Cher (Alicia Silverstone) realizes during a soulful walk through Beverly Hills that she is “totally butt crazy in love with Josh,” every person watching got it. Inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma, Clueless gave the character of Mr. Knightley a 20th-century update, changing him from the heroine’s sister’s brother-in-law to her ex-step-brother. But otherwise, the spirit of the character remains intact: A good man who might be older and wiser, but unavoidably smitten by the lead’s charms. It’s Rudd’s first (but not last) role as a romantic comedy lead, and he’s a clear natural, finding his own spin on the classic tropes. — L.S.M.

02. Scott-Lang/Ant-Man, The Marvel Cinematic Universe (2015-present)

Ant-Man (Disney)

One of the best Phase 2 additions to the MCU is Rudd’s consistently winning performance as Scott Lang, an ex-con turned superhero with the help of a high-tech shrinking (or embiggening) suit. Other actors can get lost in the chaos of a massive blockbuster franchise like this, but without fail Rudd makes sure that Scott’s one-liners land and the character’s most important moments play honestly. In Avengers: Endgame, one of the biggest movies of all time, he’s the emotional heart of the film’s first half, and also at the center of its better gags. Quantumania might have its faults, but none of them are Rudd’s fault. — L.S.M.

01. Andy, Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

Paul Rudd’s turn as Andy in both Wet Hot American Summer and its prequel series, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, is one of many memorable performances in the franchise. Rudd, with his boyish charm and cheery demeanor, isn’t usually cast as “the bad boy” — making it all the more exciting and ridiculous as he assumes the role of Camp Firewood’s coolest counselor.

Look no further than Rudd’s outstanding scene in the camp’s dining hall, where he’s ordered to clean up a mess: he does so, but not without significant groaning and complaining, contorting his body and practically dragging himself to pick everything up. The scene appropriately goes on for just a little too long — a perfect moment for Rudd to steal the show, as he often does. — P.R.

Paul Rudd’s 10 Best Roles
Consequence Staff

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