Top 10 Movie & TV Moments That Made Us Love Paul Rudd
#10: Robert De Niro Impression “Knocked Up” (2007)
Top 10 Robert De Niro Moments
Any comic actor worth their salt has probably got a good De Niro impression in their arsenal. Paul Rudd is no exception. In 2007’s “Knocked Up,” he gets the chance to show it off. Over a slightly tense double date, Rudd’s Pete and Seth Rogen’s Ben bond over their mutual love of pop culture, “Back to the Future” and of course - the man himself, Robert De Niro. Rudd expertly smashes his face up, puts on that familiar, squinty frown, and ponders what it might be like if someone puked on the big man’s shoes. He has other hilarious bits in the movie, playing well off of Rogen and Leslie Mann, but this is our favorite.
#9: Picking Up Trash “Wet Hot American Summer” (2001)
You know when a teenager throws a temper tantrum? Well, Paul Rudd expertly channels that dramatic teen energy in this next entry. “Wet Hot American Summer” is a cult classic and delightfully over the top – giving Rudd and the other cast members the chance to go all out. Rudd is laugh-out-loud funny as Andy, the “hot” camp counselor who’s dating Katie, but trying to get into everyone else’s pants at the same time. His best moments come when he proves just how pathetic this guy really is – in particular, when he throws his lunch tray on the cafeteria floor, and then huffs and pouts his way through the clean-up process. Seriously, the way he moves his body in this scene is art.
#8: Eating Tacos “Avengers: Endgame” (2019)
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What does a guy have to do to eat his tacos in some peace around the Avengers compound? Scott Lang - AKA Ant-Man - kind of gets the short end of the stick when it comes to the MCU. He makes a fool of himself when he meets Captain America in “Captain America: Civil War,” and he gets stuck testing out the time travel device in “Endgame.” But, because it’s Paul Rudd, he also usually ends up bringing a little bit of levity and delight to the screen. This scene is funny from start to finish, especially with the little quips at Scott’s expense. Hulk sweetly offering him a taco is the perfect cherry on top. We’re just glad Ant-Man finally got some food in him.
#7: Cher & Josh Kiss “Clueless” (1995)
Long before he was starring in every Judd Apatow movie imaginable, Paull Rudd was breaking hearts and taking names as Josh, Cher’s love interest, in “Clueless.” As the movie unfolds, the audience knows Cher loves Josh long before she figures it out herself – who wouldn’t? I mean, he’s kind of a Baldwin. When Cher finally sees the light, she dances around him and her feelings, right up until that perfect scene on the staircase. Watching Paul Rudd fumble over his words while he tells Cher she’s beautiful will never NOT make our hearts beat fast. And then that too perfect kiss? We’re goners.
#6: Surfing Lesson “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” (2008)
There’s a lot to love about 2008’s “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” but Paul Rudd steals just about every single scene he’s in. As Kunu, the lovable – if extremely dumb – surfing instructer at the Turtle Bay Resort, Rudd has plenty of hilarious moments, but the scene where he gives Jason Segel’s character surfing lessons is too funny to let pass. Almost every line in this scene is comic gold. From, “Oh the weather outside is weather” to the hysterical, “When life gives you lemons'' mantra, every bit of Kunu in this movie is worth soaking up.
#5: Bobby Newport’s Campaign Ads “Parks and Recreation” (2009-15)
Between Kunu and Bobby Newport, is there anyone who plays a doofus better than Paul Rudd? When Leslie Knope runs for Pawnee City Council in “Parks and Rec’s” fourth season, she comes up against an unlikely foe in Bobby Newport. Entitled and wealthy Bobby may be, but intelligent he is not – which results in some amusing antics. Rudd plays well off of Amy Poehler and the rest of the cast, but he really shines in Newport’s campaign ads. He waxes poetic about how much he loves dogs, and makes strong use of his famous connections. I mean, with qualifications like that, how could you not vote for the guy?
#4: Sex Panther “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (2004)
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Time to musk up. Most people might best remember “Anchorman” for Will Ferrell’s leading role, or Steve Carell’s hilarious turn as Brick Tamland. But Paul Rudd’s Brian Fantana is just as memorable in this sea of comedians – and for one moment in particular. When getting ready for a date, Fontana pulls out his impressive collection of colognes, and decides to go with Sex Panther. What’s that, you might ask? Well, it’s illegal in nine countries, probably due to its gasoline scent and unique ingredients. How could the ladies resist? Fantana’s cologne may be absolutely disgusting, but we’ll always love it for giving us that iconic line:
#3: Mirror Scene “Wanderlust” (2012)
Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you’re probably familiar with the infamous mirror scene. Here’s a little refresher: Jennifer Aniston’s Linda, and George, played by Rudd, are a married couple from New York City who find themselves at a hippie, free-love commune in Georgia. The two decide to experiment with other couples, but George needs to hype himself up first. Watching Rudd’s obviously apprehensive George try to get himself in the mood before doing the deed is one of the funniest scenes in the movie. It’s hard not to laugh, and hard to believe he didn’t lose it while filming – we’d like to see the bloopers please!
#2: Slappin’ Da Bass “I Love You, Man” (2009)
We just have one question for you – do you slap the bass, big time? Well we know for a fact Paul Rudd does – now if only he could figure out what accent he’s speaking in. In “I Love You Man,” Paul Rudd plays Peter, a groom-to-be in need of a best man. The only problem is, he doesn’t have any friends. Enter Jason Segel, who plays the laid-back cool guy to Rudd’s uptight nerd. As Segel and Rudd get closer, Peter starts to open up a bit more to his fiance, leading to this inimitable scene. It’s one of the first things to come to mind when you think Paul Rudd – we wonder how often he gets asked to do it in public. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Coffee Rant, “Role Models” (2008) Don’t Get Between a Man and His Large, Black Coffee Paris, “Romeo + Juliet” (1996) Paul Rudd, Thou Art a Man of Wax Cap, “Ant-Man and the Wasp” (2018) Only His Friends Call Him Cap Air Piano, “Friends” (1994-2004) No Piano? Wouldn’t Stop a True Pianist Tell Me About It, “They Came Together” (2014) You Can Say That Again, Paul
#1: Mac and Me “Conan” (2010-21)
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Paul Rudd is always delightful on late night talk shows – whether it be Stephen, Seth or one of the Jimmys. But his best appearances, and his most enduring running gag, always happen on “Conan.” The bit started back in 2004, when Rudd promised a scene from the upcoming “Friends” series finale for Conan’s audience. Instead, he played a clip from the 1988 sci-fi movie “Mac and Me.” Almost 20 years later, and Rudd still keeps the joke going – whether he’s promoting an Apatow release or Ant-Man. We’ve got to say, we appreciate the commitment to the gag. And it’s still funny.
