9 Milestones in the Evolution of Paul Rudd

The Shape of Things (2003)

After Wet Hot American Summer, Rudd once again returned to his dramatic roots (the actor studied at the British American Drama Academy following college) to star in Neil LaBute's play The Shape of Things. As a college student who becomes a real-life science (and thesis) project for his girlfriend (Rachel Weisz), Rudd performed the play in London without an interval or curtain call. Two years later, Rudd and his cast mates appeared in the Focus Features adaptation which was also directed by LaBute. Previously, Rudd had worked with the playwright on his off-Broadway production of Bash.

The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)

If Wet Hot American Summer was the role that put Rudd on the comedy map, than 40 Year Old Virgin is the role that placed him in the comedy big leagues. As Steve Carell's electronic store co-worker David, Rudd's ex-girlfriend obsessed character stole a number of scenes in his second Judd Apatow production (after Anchorman), notably the "You know how I know you're gay?" interaction with Seth Rogen, and the scene in which he has an emotional breakdown over his ex Amy (Mindy Kaling) at a speed-dating event. After seeing that Rudd could hold his own against Carell and Rogen, Apatow cast him again in Knocked Up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and his upcoming Knocked Up sequel.

I Love You, Man (2008)

But it was with I Love You, Man that Rudd got his first leading role in a big-screen comedy. As Peter Klaven, a real estate agent desperately in search of a friend and best man in the weeks before his wedding, Rudd again perfected the role of clean-cut, wise-cracking dork opposite Jason Segel, Rashida Jones (who he would team up with again for Our Idiot Brother) and Rush, the Canadian band that deserves full billing in this well-reviewed bromance.

Party Down (2009)

Seventeen years after beginning his professional acting career, Rudd kicked off his career as an executive producer with the Starz series Party Down. Three years earlier, Rudd had produced his buddy David Wain's comedy The Ten and the year before, he co-wrote the Role Models script (also with Wain), but Party Down would be the actor's first behind-the-camera television experience. Along with John Enborn, Rob Thomas and Dan Etheridge, Rudd co-created and executive produced all twenty episodes of the beloved (and very much missed) series about actors who moonlight as Los Angeles caterers. He was also almost the star of the series, too, when Party Down initially sold to HBO. The leading role eventually went to Rudd's longtime pal Adam Scott.

Our Idiot Brother (2011)

In this weekend's Our Idiot Brother, Rudd again assumes comedic lead. This time as a directionless (but compassionate) loser, his character struggles to get respect from his three sisters as they each attempt to sort out their own colossal fuck-ups. Whether he is playing an unshowered, unshaven hippie or a buttoned up '90s law student, Movieline adores Paul Rudd and cannot wait to see how he continues to transform himself onscreen. (We just hope that his continued evolution includes a Wet Hot American Summer movie.)

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