Paul Rudd

Paul Rudd is an American actor, comedian, and producer known for his work in comedy films and for playing the superhero Ant-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has built a long career characterized by an affable screen presence and comedic timing.

Early life

Paul Stephen Rudd was born on April 6, 1969, in Passaic, New Jersey, and was raised primarily in the Kansas City area. He attended the University of Kansas, where he studied theater, and later pursued further acting training, including study abroad. He began his career in the early 1990s, appearing in television before transitioning to film.

Career

Rudd's early film breakthrough came with the 1995 comedy Clueless, in which he played Josh, a role that brought him wide attention. He went on to become a fixture of American film comedy, frequently collaborating with filmmaker Judd Apatow and appearing in ensemble comedies. His credits from this era include Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Role Models.

He took on leading roles in comedies such as I Love You, Man and This Is 40, further establishing himself as a dependable comic lead. Alongside film, he worked in theatre and television and built a reputation for collaborative, often improvisational comedy.

Recent work

Rudd joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Scott Lang, the title character in Ant-Man, a role he reprised in sequels including Ant-Man and the Wasp and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, as well as in the Avengers films. The franchise introduced him to a global blockbuster audience and became a defining part of his career.

He has continued to work across film and television, including the Netflix comedy series Living with Yourself, in which he played dual roles, and the horror-comedy Ghostbusters: Afterlife and its sequel. He has also appeared on television in guest and recurring roles, including a long-running comedic association with the talk show host Conan O'Brien, and has lent his voice to animated projects. Known for his enduring boyish appearance and approachable public persona, Rudd was named People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive. He has been involved in charitable work, including efforts supporting young people and cancer research, and has co-hosted benefit events over the years. With a career that bridges 1990s comedy, the Apatow-era ensemble films, and the modern superhero blockbuster, he remains active as both an actor and producer across comedy and franchise filmmaking, and is widely regarded as one of American film comedy's most consistently likable leading men.