Paul Rudd: A Leading Man At Last

nytimes.com:

FANS of Paul Rudd have not gone wanting in recent years: he has popped up with comforting regularity in movies big and small, on television sitcoms and sketch shows, and he leaves an impression, however tiny the role. But they have had reason to wonder why this good-looking, likeable, quick-witted actor has so often played the sidekick and not the romantic leading man.

Their wait is now over -- sort of. Mr. Rudd is front and center in his new comedy, but as its title proclaims, "I Love You, Man" is less interested in the relationship between the hero and his bride-to-be than in the deep and true (but strictly nonsexual) feelings he has developed for his new best buddy.

Read the whole story: nytimes.com

Comments

[MightyAfrodite]

09:03 AM on 03/16/2009

Congrats to a very talented, very funny actor.

[Bitsko]

10:33 PM on 03/15/2009

Cary Grant and Michael Caine are leading men.

[cherylrn66]

03:45 AM on 03/16/2009

I have been waiting for this for years!! YEAH!!!! He is most certainly a "leading man!!"

[littlepuffycloud]

05:46 PM on 03/15/2009

Wet Hot American Summer was first movie I noticed him in. Hilarious; especially scene in camp kitchen with Janeane Garofalo in 2001.

[Eric8869]

05:39 PM on 03/15/2009

I love Paul Rudd but what with all the homophobia or homopanic in his films and tv appearances?

He gave a sensitive wonderful performance as a gay man in THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION but after that it's been all downhill.

His SNL appearance had so many phobic skits - a family where the men make out with each other, naked posing for Andy Samberg to paint him, a flamboyant director with Justin Timberlake dancing feminine in a leotard.....

In ROLE MODELS - his last movie - the people say the F word constantly. (even the kids)

In the 40 Year old virgin - he adlibbed the whole "you know how I know you're gay?" sequence

Now his lastes movie is all about a "Bro-Mance" with a gay kiss for comedy.

What is going on with this dude?

[loucreattie]

10:51 AM on 03/16/2009

I think he is hilarious and love all his movies.

If he's in it, I'm watching it.

[Eric8869]

12:20 PM on 03/16/2009

ok- that has nothing to do with what I said.

[JGatsby]

11:19 AM on 03/16/2009

How does "people say the F word constantly. (even the kids)" qualify as homophobic? I think what you are noticing is that the humor in most American films is sophomoric and sex and homo jokes get easy laughs.

[Eric8869]

12:20 PM on 03/16/2009

They say f a g

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

05:26 PM on 03/15/2009

He's just altogether yummy!

[MightyMeno]

07:49 PM on 03/15/2009

Yum yum yum!

[sheeshbrother]

05:17 PM on 03/15/2009

He doesn't need to be leading man.
You make more money when you own all of it.

[LuLuMax123]

05:09 PM on 03/15/2009

Finally he's getting the attention he deserves. Paul will you marry me?

[Downeast]

05:00 PM on 03/15/2009

I found it kinda snarky funny that the NYT never even deigned to mention that low-brow little sitcom he was in...when the reason I even clicked on the story was asking myself, "wasn't he the guy Phoebe married?"

[Yovovi]

04:37 PM on 03/15/2009

Midwestern boys like him are the nicest and most grounded, in my biased opinion. He was a great straight man to Lisa Kudrow on Friends and hilarious in Role Models and Anchorman.

[csavage]

04:45 PM on 03/15/2009

Thank you for bringing up Brian Fontana from Anchorman.....It's still my favorite Rudd movie....

[blimie]

03:46 PM on 03/15/2009

Even when he is serious onscreen, he always looks like he is in on a joke that he is sharing with the audience.

[ScandalousCandice7]

03:44 PM on 03/15/2009

I love that all the comments are about how much they have always loved Paul Rudd. I too have always loved him. He is a big cutie and so funny.

[marignymitch]

03:27 PM on 03/15/2009

He's been a leading man in my book for years.

[LovingHope]

03:25 PM on 03/15/2009

I liked him in the "Object of my Affection" with Jennifer Aniston. He also came out in "Knocked Up," and "The 40 year Old Virgin." He was great in all three. I really like this guy. He is hilarious.

[Bluejay00234]

03:09 PM on 03/15/2009

cutie.

[givepeace05401]

01:07 PM on 03/15/2009

I have been a fan for a long time. But to be a leading man doesn't he have to do a nude sceen?

[sweetwhine]

01:23 PM on 03/15/2009

Maybe. But how much do we know? We should be careful what we wish for. LOL!

[beanchihuahua]

04:49 PM on 03/15/2009

I don't think American culture can handle an intact man naked on screen. Sad, but true..