After years of worshiping Paul Rudd's affable, comedic performances, Richard Thomas was met with a pleasant surprise when he bumped into the movie star at a neighborhood cheese shop.
His pants, which had been held up with a tightly-fastened belt, were charmed off.
Thomas, who'd harbored a mancrush for the better part of 8 years, was shopping for an assortment of cheeses when Rudd entered the store.
"He walked in with a big smirk on his face," Thomas giddily recounted. "He kept ordering different types of cheeses in funny accents, only to cut himself off and go 'I'm just kidding. I'll have a pound of provolone.' It was hilarious. 100% charm."
Then the Object of My Affection star began making small talk with Thomas. Before he knew it, Thomas' pants were gone. The pants, described by witnesses as chinos, had been purchased at J Crew. They stood no chance.
"Those pants were on tight," recalled Thomas. "But one 'wink and the gun' from Rudd and they were gone."
While the public de-pantsing should've left Thomas embarrassed, Rudd diffused the situation by organizing an impromptu karaoke session about the cheese he ordered, diverting the rest of the customers' attention from Thomas.
"Afterward, Paul told me that sort of thing happens to him all the time," said a still pants-less Thomas. "I don't know if he was talking about the pants or the cheese karaoke, but either way it proved what a likeable guy he is."
-Dan Abramson