No matter what the occasion or the friendship need, actor Paul Rudd has proven to be a man for all seasons. And he doesn't even have to change his hair! By Eric Alt
Romeo + Juliet- Need a poofy "prince" who can't even keep a girl from the delicate clutches of pre-semi-buff-Blood Diamond Leonardo DiCaprio? Rudd will gladly wear ridiculous astronaut costumes in a pathetic attempt to woo Claire Danes. Not Paul's proudest moment, but sometimes you need a little ponce in your life.
The Object of My Affection- Need a gay guy who's not flamboyant and can withstand the clutchy, squid-suction-cup-like neediness of Jennifer Aniston? Rudd is your man (although John Mayer is a good back-up choice). Rudd looks suitably befuddled as Aniston embarrassingly throws herself at him in this trenchant and insightful documentary.
The Cider House Rules- Need a guy who can make a woman feel really awful about cheating with Tobey Maguire? Rudd will gladly run off into WWII and return without the use of his legs just to make sure the message is driven home: Getting cuckold by Leo DiCaprio is bad, but getting cock-blocked by Maguire is unacceptable.
Clueless- Need a brooding college student to rain on your dippy sister's parade with Nietzsche quotes and flannel? Rudd delivers. He's so "college" here, this movie would reek of patchouli and doom sweat if it were Scratch-N-Sniff.
Wet Hot American Summer- Need a petulant bad boy to spice up your summer camp experience? Oh, yeah, Rudd can take you there, too. Just don't ask him to clean up after himself. Because that's just torture, man. Seriously. What kind of slave driver are you?
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy- Need a suave ladies man with an alluring musk that's equal parts Indian food and Bigfoot's dick? Sixty percent of the time, Rudd works every time. He'll even throw you the odd curveball and grow a pornstar 'stache just for the occasion.
The 40 Year Old Virgin- Need someone to ruin guy's night out by constantly whining about his ex? Rudd and the fleshy pouch that used to be his nutsack will answer the call. You can go ahead and set the mood by slapping in a VHS copy of Harry Twatter, just don't play any Michael McDonald music. Trust us.
Reno 911: Miami- Need Al Pacino but don't have the budget? Yeah, Paul will do that, too. What can you say? He's just that kind of guy.
Knocked Up- Need a cool dad with a dark, nerdy secret? Rudd will gladly mock your unplanned pregnancy and ditch his wife and kids for late nights spent debating baseball stats and drinking microbrews with other emotionally-broken men. He is a man of layers, people.
Forgetting Sarah Marshal- Need a guy so blissfully stoned he'll help you forget your troubles as quickly as he forgets your name? Rudd has the goofy grin and clever aphorism ("When life gives you lemons, say 'fuck the lemons' and bail") ready and aimed. Just don't rely on him for medical assistance. There are limits to the Rudd functionality.
Role Models- Need a guy with a PhD in bullshit and a willingness to LARP? Once again, Sir Rudd steps to the plate. He may not be the wild party guy, but he's unassuming enough to be the work friend you quietly segue into being a "real" friend. And doesn't everyone need a maybe-kinda-friend these days?
Super Nintendo Commercial circa 1991- Finally, do you need a guy who can express the limitless power of the latest Nintendo gaming system with just a few choice facial expressions and a wardrobe borrowed from Parker Lewis Can't Lose? Rudd was the man even before we knew what "Paul Rudd" was. That is why he is the Everyman. He is eternal. All hail the Rudd.