Paul Rudd (born April 6, 1969) is an American actor whose career has a rare mix of mainstream likability and sharp comedic instincts. Many audiences first locked onto him in the 1990s, then kept following him as he moved between studio comedies, character roles, and long-running ensemble projects where timing matters as much as charm.
Over the past decade, Rudd became globally recognizable as Scott Lang, also known as Ant-Man, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, while still making room for offbeat work and comedy-forward performances outside superhero storytelling. He has also expanded into writing and producing on select projects, and he continues to show up in roles that play to a grounded, human energy, even when the story around him gets bigger and louder.
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Quick Facts
| Real Name: | Paul Stephen Rudd |
| Profession: | Actor, comedian, writer, producer |
| Born: | April 6, 1969 |
| Age: | 56 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace: | Passaic, New Jersey, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Known For: | Scott Lang (Ant-Man) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe; comedy-leading roles across film and TV |
| Notable Films & Shows: | Clueless; Anchorman; The 40-Year-Old Virgin; Knocked Up; I Love You, Man; Ant-Man; Only Murders in the Building |
| Awards & Honors: | Critics’ Choice Television Award (winner); Hollywood Walk of Fame (inductee); People “Sexiest Man Alive” (2021) |
| Zodiac Sign: | Aries |
| Relationship: | Married to Julie Yaeger (since 2003) |
| Years Active: | 1991 to present |
Image Gallery
Trailer Video
Early Life & Education
Paul Rudd was born in Passaic, New Jersey, and grew up in a family with British roots. When he was young, his family relocated, and much of his formative life was shaped outside the entertainment bubble, including years in Kansas. That mix, East Coast beginnings with a Midwestern upbringing, shows up in the way he often plays characters who feel approachable even when the story is heightened.
Rudd studied theatre at the University of Kansas and later trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He also spent time studying drama in Oxford through the British American Drama Academy. Before acting became stable, he worked a variety of jobs while building experience and momentum, which helped set a practical foundation for the long, steady career that followed.
Career Highlights and Milestones
Rudd’s screen career started with early 1990s work, including television, before his film breakout in Clueless (1995), where his warm, slightly offbeat charm stood out immediately. From there he built a resume that moved between studio comedies, character-driven indies, and ensemble storytelling. He became a familiar face in comedy over the 2000s through titles like Anchorman, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and Knocked Up, often playing the grounded counterweight inside chaotic scenes.
In the 2010s, Rudd entered a new visibility tier by joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Scott Lang (Ant-Man), a role that let him combine humor with blockbuster action, and he later reprised it in several major MCU films. Alongside acting, he has taken on writing credits on select projects, and he has continued to mix mainstream work with comedy-forward roles that rely on timing and emotional clarity more than volume.
Selected film and TV highlights
- Clueless (1995)
- Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
- The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
- Knocked Up (2007)
- I Love You, Man (2009)
- This Is 40 (2012)
- Ant-Man (2015)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Only Murders in the Building (TV)
Major recognition
- Critics’ Choice Television Award (winner) for guest performance work in comedy television
- Golden Globe nomination for Living with Yourself
- Primetime Emmy nominations (including work connected to Only Murders in the Building and narration)
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star (inductee)
- People magazine “Sexiest Man Alive” (2021)
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Awards and Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Critics’ Choice Television Awards | Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series | Parks and Recreation | Won |
| 2015 | CinemaCon Awards | Male Star of the Year | Career honor | Won |
| 2020 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor (TV Series, Musical or Comedy) | Living with Yourself | Nominated |
| 2024 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | Only Murders in the Building | Nominated |
| 2024 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Narrator | Secrets of the Octopus | Nominated |
| 2024 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Only Murders in the Building | Nominated |
| 2024 | Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards | Favorite Movie Actor | Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire | Nominated |
Filmography / Notable Works
| Year | Title | Type | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 to 1995 | Sisters | TV | Early recurring television role. |
| 1995 | Clueless | Film | Breakout mainstream visibility in a defining 1990s comedy. |
| 2004 | Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy | Film | Major studio comedy hit and long-running pop culture title. |
| 2005 | The 40-Year-Old Virgin | Film | Key comedy-era role that helped define mid-2000s studio comedy. |
| 2007 | Knocked Up | Film | Ensemble comedy success in the Apatow orbit. |
| 2009 | I Love You, Man | Film | Comedy lead performance, widely rewatched fan favorite. |
| 2015 | Ant-Man | Film | Introduced Scott Lang (Ant-Man) in the MCU. |
| 2018 | Ant-Man and the Wasp | Film | Returned as Ant-Man; also credited as a co-writer. |
| 2019 | Avengers: Endgame | Film | Major MCU ensemble event film. |
| 2019 | Living with Yourself | TV | Lead series performance; major awards attention followed. |
| 2024 | Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire | Film | Returned in the modern Ghostbusters franchise. |
| 2025 | Friendship | Film | Dark comedy with festival premiere activity in 2024 and U.S. release in 2025. |
Net Worth, Income, & Lifestyle
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (2026) | Paul Rudd has not published a verified net worth figure. Public estimates vary widely, and most numbers online are not sourced to official financial disclosures. |
| Income Sources | Acting across studio films and streaming series, franchise work (including major ensemble projects), plus select writing and producing credits. |
| Properties & Assets | Specific asset details are not consistently documented in reliable public records. Coverage generally focuses on his work output rather than itemized holdings. |
| Lifestyle | Often described as comparatively low-key for a long-running star, with a public image built around humor, steadiness, and longevity rather than constant visibility. |
Social Media & Online Presence
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| No widely confirmed official personal Instagram is promoted as a primary channel. Many large accounts are fan-run. Treat any “official” claims cautiously and verify before relying on them. | |
| X (Twitter) | Accounts using his name exist, but verification and authenticity can be unclear. Confirm carefully before treating any handle as official. |
| Public pages and repost hubs exist, but authenticity can change. Verify before using as an official reference. | |
| YouTube | Most video content is hosted by studios, late-night shows, and entertainment outlets rather than a personal channel. |
| IMDb | Verified filmography: IMDb. |
| Official Website | No single official personal website is consistently promoted across reliable sources. When in doubt, reference studio sites and IMDb. |
| Fan Updates | Coming soon, subscribe to follow Paul Rudd updates. |
Fan communities on social media (unofficial)
NOTE: Many fan-run pages and clip accounts exist. These are not confirmed to be affiliated with Paul Rudd. Links and usernames can change at any time.
Trivia & Lesser-Known Facts
- Rudd’s acting debut included a 1991 commercial promoting the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, a deep-cut piece of early 1990s pop culture that later resurfaced in conversation as his fame grew.
- He had early television momentum before film stardom, including a recurring role on the drama series Sisters.
- He studied theatre at the University of Kansas and trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, with additional drama study time in Oxford through the British American Drama Academy.
- While building his career, he worked assorted day jobs, and even DJ’d at bar mitzvahs during his training years.
- In the MCU, he became known for playing Scott Lang (Ant-Man), and he also earned a co-writing credit on Ant-Man and the Wasp.
- His public persona has stayed unusually consistent over time: self-deprecating humor, grounded interviews, and a low-drama presence that contrasts with typical franchise-era celebrity.
Quotes
“They have my number.”
— Paul Rudd, on speculation about returning for future Avengers films
“Everything just went by a little slower.”
— Paul Rudd, reflecting on early fame in the 1990s
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How old is Paul Rudd?
A: He is 56 years old (born April 6, 1969).
Q: What is Paul Rudd best known for?
A: He is widely known for playing Scott Lang (Ant-Man) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and for a long run of popular comedies including Clueless, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and I Love You, Man.
Q: Where did Paul Rudd go to college?
A: He studied theatre at the University of Kansas and later trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Q: Is Paul Rudd married?
A: Yes. He married Julie Yaeger in 2003, and they have two children.
Q: Does Paul Rudd have official social media accounts?
A: Many accounts use his name, but authenticity can be unclear. Treat “official” claims cautiously and verify using reliable sources and platform verification.
Upcoming Projects
- Avengers: Doomsday (scheduled for December 18, 2026) – Rudd is set to appear as Ant-Man in the next major Avengers event film.
- Avengers: Secret Wars (scheduled for December 17, 2027) – Follow-up Avengers event film, with MCU planning positioning it as a major Phase Six endpoint.
Interviews & Features
- Entertainment Weekly, “Paul Rudd discusses Ant-Man’s appearance in upcoming Avengers films” (2025) , a light, carefully worded update that captures how he handles Marvel secrecy while still feeding fan curiosity.
- People, “Paul Rudd Reflects on Fame in the ’90s Post-Clueless” (2025) , a retrospective feature that connects his early career pace to how celebrity felt before modern social media.
- The Hollywood Reporter, “Friendship: Paul Rudd Asked for One Change to A24 Movie” (May 22, 2025) , a production-focused feature that frames how Rudd approaches tone, expectations, and creative calibration.
- Variety, “Paul Rudd hands out water to voters in Pennsylvania” (Nov 5, 2024) , a short news report that documents an off-screen public appearance connected to civic participation.
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, “Soap Opera Interview with Paul Rudd” (clip) , a late-night segment that leans into his comedy timing while promoting current work.
Public Appearances & Festivals
- Toronto International Film Festival (September 2024): Rudd appeared in Toronto during TIFF activity tied to the film Friendship.
- San Diego Comic-Con International (July 2014): Rudd appeared in San Diego for an Ant-Man panel and related press activity.
- U.S. Election Day public appearance (Nov 5, 2024): Rudd made a surprise appearance in Pennsylvania handing out water to voters waiting in line.
- South by Southwest (March 2025): Death of a Unicorn premiered at SXSW before its theatrical run later that month.
