Paul Rudd

Early Life & Education

Paul Stephen Rudd was born on April 6, 1969, in Passaic, New Jersey, to English-Jewish parents. He spent his youth in Kansas and California, enjoying British comics like The Beano and Dandy. He graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School in 1987 and later studied drama at the University of Kansas, followed by training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and a stint at Oxford’s British American Drama Academy.

Career

Breakthrough Roles (1991–2007)

• Began acting in TV series like Sisters (1991)
• Film debut: Clueless (1995), followed by Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers and Romeo + Juliet
• Gained comedic attention in Wet Hot American Summer (2001) and Judd Apatow collaborations: Anchorman, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, This Is 40

Superhero Stardom & Major Roles (2015–Present)

• Cast as Scott Lang / Ant-Man in Ant-Man (2015), with sequels and MCU crossovers including Civil War, Endgame, and Quantumania
• Starred as Gary Grooberson in Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and Frozen Empire (2024)
• TV: Mike Hannigan in Friends; guest host on SNL; lead in Living with Yourself (Golden Globe nom) and The Shrink Next Door; recurring on Only Murders in the Building (Emmy nom)

Complete Works

Films

• Clueless (1995)
• Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
• Romeo + Juliet (1996)
• Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
• Anchorman series, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, I Love You, Man, This Is 40
• Ant‑Man trilogy, Avengers crossovers, Ghostbusters sequels

Television

• Sisters, Friends, Parks and Recreation, Living with Yourself, The Shrink Next Door, Only Murders in the Building, plus hosting SNL

Theatre & Voice Work

• Broadway: Twelfth Night, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Three Days of Rain
• Voice: Hyundai commercials, audiobook narrations

Net Worth & Earnings

Estimated net worth is $70 million in 2025. Major income:

• MCU blockbuster paydays and backend Marvel profits
• TV roles (Living with Yourself approx. $450K per episode; Shrink Next Door ~$1M per episode)
• Brand endorsements (Hyundai, Pepsi) and production/writing credits
• Real estate and theatre investments

Awards & Recognition

• People’s Sexiest Man Alive (2021)
• Critics’ Choice TV Award (Parks and Recreation)
• Golden Globe nomination (Living with Yourself)
• Emmy nominations (Only Murders in the Building, narration for Secrets of the Octopus)
• Honour on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2015)

Personal Life & Philanthropy

Married to Julie Yaeger since 2003; they have two children, Jack (2006) and Darby (2010). He’s known for his down-to-earth nature, passion for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, and supports charitable organizations like Big Slick and Stuttering Association for the Young.

Trivia & Fun Facts

• Family name was originally Rudnitzky
• Parents were second cousins
• Known for timeless looks—Aniston calls him an “ageless freak”
• Long-running Conan O’Brien gag with Mac and Me clip introduction

Upcoming Projects

• Unannounced Marvel appearances and largely rumored new installments
• Continued TV roles and potential comedy film deals