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There’s a reason why Paul Rudd is so many people’s celebrity crush — on top of being witty and charming, he’s just an all-around fun guy.
PEOPLE’s 2021 Sexiest Man Alivehas been making hearts swoon since the ’90s with iconic roles inCluelessand onFriends, but he’s also provided quite a few laughs with roles inWet Hot American Summer,The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and Marvel’sAnt-Manfranchise.
Having been in the spotlight since such a young age, you may think you know everything there is to know about the 52-year-old actor, but there are a handful of few facts that aren’t as widely known.
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In honor of our forever celebrity crush, we’ve rounding up some of the most fascinating facts about Rudd.
Paul Rudd actually auditioned for three otherCluelessroles.
Though Rudd is beloved for his breakout role as Josh inClueless,he also auditioned for Murray, Christian, and Elton. He previously toldEntertainment Weeklythat he was actuallyreally drawn to the character of Christian, but the role ultimately went to Justin Walker.
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Paul Rudd grew up reading comics — but they weren’t Marvel comics.
Paul Rudd knew Jon Hamm in college.
Rudd has a close group of celebrity friends, but he actually knewMad Menactor Jon Hamm before he was famous. However, they didn’t exactly hit it off right away as Rudd dated one of Hamm’s exes.
“Jon and I knew each other back then, though we both sort of liked the same girl, so I was not so crazy about Jon,“Rudd told Seth Meyers during an appearance onLate Night. Thankfully, the two eventually reconnected in L.A. later in life and became good friends.
Paul Rudd met his wife at his publicist’s office.
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Paul Rudd owns a candy store.
Paul Rudd looks up to Paul Newman.
During an interview withAARP,Rudd named Paul Newman as his role model, adding, “I loved him as an actor and he also happened to be the coolest man, somebody that gave so much to so many people, so charitable. He’s the guy we should all try to emulate.”
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Paul Rudd has his charm to thank for his role onFriends.
Casting director Leslie Litt previously revealed toThe Huffington PostthatRudd was always “on a short list for the role of Mike"onFriends, but his “dreamy” quality helped set him apart. “We had a casting session for that role but no one was quite it,” Litt said. “Paul agreed to do a one-time meet and read with Lisa [Kudrow]. All I wrote on my notes was ‘dreamy’!”
source: people.com
