Paul Rudd’s Talent and Charm Make Him Unstoppable in Hollywood

We sure do love Paul Rudd! Between Ant-Man — AKA Scott Lang — and his other numerous roles both on screen and on stage, Rudd often comes across as the comedic guy-next-door, and he possesses lead ability. He narrates and performs voice work. What can’t he do? 

The Kansas-native (by way of New Jersey) has had over 140 acting credits to his name. He is unstoppable with several new films on the horizon  – including “Avengers: Doomsday” – for which we can’t wait.

Paul Rudd – Education and Career Start 

Rudd got his acting start in his college days. He went to the University of Kansas and studied acting, majoring in theatre. He also spent time at both the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the British American Drama Academy in Oxford. While launching his chosen profession, Rudd DJ’d and took odd jobs. 

In early 1991, Rudd began acting in commercials, most notably in a Nintendo ad. He picked up several smaller parts, starring in television shows, and then soon was cast in 1995 flick “Clueless” with Alicia Silverstone. Slowly, but surely, this led to more movies and bigger parts. Soon came the 1998 movie “The Object of My Affection,” in which he played opposite his friend, Jennifer Aniston. This sparked his upward trajectory, where he gained bigger roles in film projects, guest roles on television and voice work. 

Paul Rudd Guests on TV Series and Secures More Movies 

Between 2002 and 2004, Rudd had a recurring role as Mike on “Friends.” He played Phoebe’s love interest. He also appeared in “Reno 911” and the Bachelor/Bachelorette parody “Burning Love.” While his small-screen work was steady, Rudd became increasingly in demand for the silver screen, starring as Brian Fantana in the “Anchorman” franchise. He was also in a pair of Judd Apatow films: “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Knocked Up.” 

2015 marked the year Paul Rudd became unstoppable as Scott Lang…or Ant-Man. The MCU project had been in development since 2006, with Rudd in mind for the lead. Between 2015 and 2025, Rudd has played Scott Lang/Ant-Man in each Avengers installment. He has become a fan favorite.

Besides being in front of the camera, Rudd also has performed a plethora of voice work, narrating the 2024 National Geographic Docuseries special, “Secrets of the Octopus.” He has additionally narrated other sports programs. As a writer, Rudd penned the screenplay for the first “Ant-Man” movie. He was a writer on the second movie, “Ant-Man and the Wasp.” He has produced films and TV series alike.

Paul Rudd’s Complete Filmography 

The Ant-Man actor is unstoppable with over 70 film credits to his name. Here was a chronological list of his films since he debuted in “A Question of Ethics.”

1990-1999: 

• “A Question of Ethics” (1992)
• “Jamie’s Secret” (1992)
• “Moment of Truth: Stalking Back” (1993)
• “Clueless” (1995)
• “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers” (1995)
• “The Size of Watermelons” (1996)
• “Romeo + Juliet” (1996)
• “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” (1997)
• “A Secret Sin” (1997)
• “Overnight Delivery” (1998)
• “The Object of My Affection” (1998)
• “Twelfth Night, or What You Will” (1998)
• “200 Cigarettes” (1999)
• “The Cider House Rules” (1999)

2000-2009:  

• “The Great Gatsby” (2000)
• “Gen-Y Cops” (2000)
• “Wet Hot American Summer” (2001)
• “The Château” (2001)
• “On the Edge” (2001)
• “Reaching Normal” (2001)
• “Bash: Latter-Day Plays” (2001)
• “The Shape of Things” (2003)
• “Two Days” (2003)
• “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (2004)
• “P.S.” (2004)
• “Tennis, Anyone…?” (2005)
• “The Baxter” (2005)
• “The 40 Year-Old Virgin” (2005)
• “The Oh in Ohio” (2006)
• “Diggers” (2006)
• “The Ex” (2006)
• “Night at the Museum” (2006)
• “The Ten” (2007)
• “Reno 911!: Miami” (2007)
• “Knocked Up” (2007)
• “I Could Never Be Your Woman” (2007)
• “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” (2007)*
• “Over Her Dead Body” (2008)
• “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” (2008)
• “Role Models” (2008)
• “Monsters vs. Aliens” (2009)**
• “I Love You, Man” (2009)
• “Year One” (2009)

2010-2019:

• “Dinner for Schmucks” (2010)
• “How Do You Know” (2010)
• “Our Idiot Brother” (2011)
• “Wanderlust” (2012)
• “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012)
• “This is 40” (2012)
• “Prince Avalanche” (2013)
• “Admission” (2013)
• “Almost Christmas” (2013)
• “This Is the End” (2013)
• “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” (2013)
• “They Came Together” (2014)
• “The Little Prince” (2015)**
• “Ant-Man” (2015)
• “The Fundamentals of Caring” (2016)
• “Sausage Party” (2016)**
• “Captain America: Civil War” (2016)
• “Nerdland“ (2016)
• “Fun Mom Dinner” (2017)
• “The Catcher Was a Spy” (2018)
• “Ideal Home” (2018)
• “Mute” (2018)
• “Ant-Man and the Wasp” (2018)
• “Avengers: Endgame” (2019)
• “Between Two Ferns: The Movie” (2019)

2020 – current: 

• “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers” (2022)
• “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” (2022)**
• “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” (2023)
• “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” (2023)**
• “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” (2024)
• “Friendship” (2024)
• “Death of a Unicorn” (2025)
• “Anaconda” (2025)
• “Avengers: Doomsday” (upcoming late 2026)

*denotes an uncredited role

**voice role 

Paul Rudd’s Most Memorable Roles 

Rudd has played several characters that stick in our minds. We all know he can do comedy, action – like Ant-Man – but he’s also had some intriguing dramatic roles. Here is some of his best work:

Wally in “The Cider House Rules” (1999)

Rudd plays Wally Worthington, a soldier going off to war. Although Michael Caine and Toby Maguire were prominently featured in the film, Rudd’s performance earned him a SAG Award nomination.

Brian in “Anchorman” Franchise (2004 & 2013) 

Playing the sleazy and womanizing Brian Fantana, Rudd totally knocks it out of the park. He is quite a scene stealer in both of these movies.

David in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” (2005)

Between Steve Carell, Seth Rogen, Romany Malco, and Rudd, plus an excellent supporting cast, this is a laugh-a-minute flick. Here Rudd plays David, who is pining away for his ex-girlfriend.

Peter in “I Love You, Man” (2009)

Teaming up with Jason Segel, Rudd is hysterical in this flick. The two humorously play off each other. Oh, and there’s a lot of Rush music in this film.

Mr. Anderson in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012) 

In this coming-of-age movie, Rudd perfectly captures the kind teacher we all wish we had. This part shows more of his dramatic side.

Austin in “Friendship” (2024) 

This role feels like it could be a bookend to the Brian Fantana role from “Anchorman.” Here we see Rudd completely come unraveled from being a successful weatherman to being disheveled and unhinged.

Paul Rudd’s Other Endeavors 

Beyond acting, Rudd and his friend, actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan, purchased and now co-own a gourmet coffee and sweet shop in Rhinebeck, NY. They bought it after the owner had passed away in order to save it from closing. Philanthropically, Rudd is the founder of The Big Slick, which is a charity event held in Kansas City each year to help KC Children’s Mercy Hospital. He is an advocate for SAY (Stuttering Association for the Young), and has partnered with Seth Rogen in Hilarity for Charity. That supports awareness for Alzheimer’s research funding. 

In 2021, Paul Rudd was named People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive. This charming and charismatic actor is known for his ageless looks (in fact, his Hollywood cronies often joke about his ageless, youthful appearance). Rudd attests that a good diet, steady sleep, and daily cardio exercise go a long way. Sensible. The man is down to earth, too!

This unstoppable and talented actor has several upcoming projects, including the aforementioned “Avengers: Doomsday,” “Power Ballad,” and “Rain Reign.” It looks as though in each of these, Rudd will play very different characters: a superhero in one, a singer (or musician) in the other, and a concerned uncle in the third. 

Where Can You Stream Paul Rudd Movies? 

Rudd has dozens of movies, and most are available through Hulu and Disney+, among other streaming platforms. You’ll be sure to find something you like. Whether Rudd is writing, singing, acting on stage or on the big screen; we’re excited to see what this age-defying actor will do next.