Paul Rudd may have won the title ofPEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2021, but for anyone who’s been aware of him since his breakout role in 1995’sClueless,the designation was a long time coming. Perpetually boyishly handsome, willing to be a goofball on screen (asAnchormanfans can attest), a dedicatedhusbandandfatherand a member of the Marvel crew, Rudd has really got it all — including this gallery of throwbacks dedicated to proving he is our once and forever crush.
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Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty
In 1995, Paul Rudd had only just begun to make us all swoon with his good looks and great hair.
02of 21I Love Josh!CBS via GettyThough he had some small roles in the early ’90s, Rudd’s big breakout role came when he swept us all off our feet as Josh in 1995’sClueless,alongside Alicia Silverstone.
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I Love Josh!
CBS via Getty
Though he had some small roles in the early ’90s, Rudd’s big breakout role came when he swept us all off our feet as Josh in 1995’sClueless,alongside Alicia Silverstone.
03of 21Friendship GoalsReese Witherspoon/InstagramIn 1996, Ruddjoined fellow ageless wonder, Reese Witherspoon, for a selfie that might just prove they both found the Fountain of Youth.
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Friendship Goals
Reese Witherspoon/Instagram
In 1996, Ruddjoined fellow ageless wonder, Reese Witherspoon, for a selfie that might just prove they both found the Fountain of Youth.
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Have Your Cake and Eat It Too
Walt Disney Television via Getty
05of 21Smile for the CameraRon Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettyIn 1997, Rudd rocked up to theMen In Blackpremiere in a classic white T-shirt.
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Smile for the Camera
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
In 1997, Rudd rocked up to theMen In Blackpremiere in a classic white T-shirt.
06of 21Taking a Dip20th Century-Fox/GettyAnd then he sweptJennifer Anistonoff her feet (literally) inThe Object of My Affectionin 1998.
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Taking a Dip
20th Century-Fox/Getty
And then he sweptJennifer Anistonoff her feet (literally) inThe Object of My Affectionin 1998.
07of 21Sick BurnsFrank Trapper/Corbis via GettyThere are few people who can pull off a statement sideburn, but we’d argue that Rudd is one of them.
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Sick Burns
There are few people who can pull off a statement sideburn, but we’d argue that Rudd is one of them.
08of 21Dashing DudeRon Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettySomething about this photo of Rudd in a tuxedo at the 1998 Met Gala just screams, “I made a deal with a vampire that I would always look this classically handsome.”
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Dashing Dude
Something about this photo of Rudd in a tuxedo at the 1998 Met Gala just screams, “I made a deal with a vampire that I would always look this classically handsome.”
09of 21Star StruckJeff Kravitz/FilmMagicRudd’s long hair and graphic tee are a dead giveaway that this photo was taken in 1999.
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Star Struck
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Rudd’s long hair and graphic tee are a dead giveaway that this photo was taken in 1999.
10of 21I See YouThe LIFE Picture Collection via GettyEven glasses wouldn’t make it easier to tell when this photo was taken (it was 2000).
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I See You
The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty
Even glasses wouldn’t make it easier to tell when this photo was taken (it was 2000).
11of 21Blond Hair, Don’t CareGarrige Ho/South China Morning Post via GettyIn 2000, Rudd changed up his look with some blond locks forGen-Y Cops.
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Blond Hair, Don’t Care
Garrige Ho/South China Morning Post via Getty
In 2000, Rudd changed up his look with some blond locks forGen-Y Cops.
12of 21He’s Got SoulRon Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettyIn 2000, Rudd attended a premiere donning a pretty spectacular soul patch.
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He’s Got Soul
In 2000, Rudd attended a premiere donning a pretty spectacular soul patch.
13of 21Q & AEvan Agostini/GettyIn 2003, Rudd got oh-so-meta when he spoke at the Actors On Acting: Theater and Film panel discussion at the Tribeca Film Festival.
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Q & A
Evan Agostini/Getty
In 2003, Rudd got oh-so-meta when he spoke at the Actors On Acting: Theater and Film panel discussion at the Tribeca Film Festival.
14of 21Hair He IsSylvain Gaboury/FilmMagicThose boyishly tousled locks (at the premiere ofElfin 2003) just add to the sexy.
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Hair He Is
Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic
Those boyishly tousled locks (at the premiere ofElfin 2003) just add to the sexy.
15of 21Wedding BellesNBCU Photo BankRudd had a glow when he filmedFriendsin 2004 alongside Lisa Kudrow.
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Wedding Belles
NBCU Photo Bank
Rudd had a glow when he filmedFriendsin 2004 alongside Lisa Kudrow.
16of 21Premiere CrasherIn 2005, Rudd attended the premiere ofWedding Crasherssporting a beard.
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Premiere Crasher
In 2005, Rudd attended the premiere ofWedding Crasherssporting a beard.
17of 21Bundled UpJ. Vespa/WireImageWho needs a parka when we’ve got Paul Rudd’s love to keep us warm!
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Bundled Up
J. Vespa/WireImage
Who needs a parka when we’ve got Paul Rudd’s love to keep us warm!
18of 21Hello? Is It Paul You’re Looking For?J. Vespa/WireImageA cell phone fit for someone who would soon become Ant-Man.
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Hello? Is It Paul You’re Looking For?
A cell phone fit for someone who would soon become Ant-Man.
19of 21’Stached AwayCBS via GettyRudd played Brian Fantana in 2004’sAnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundyalongside comedy heavy-hitters like Will Ferrell, David Koechner and Steve Carell and we still wish we could have been there to hear them all serenade us with their rendition of “Afternoon Delight.”
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‘Stached Away
Rudd played Brian Fantana in 2004’sAnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundyalongside comedy heavy-hitters like Will Ferrell, David Koechner and Steve Carell and we still wish we could have been there to hear them all serenade us with their rendition of “Afternoon Delight.”
20of 21Glow for ItJ. Merritt/FilmMagicWe’d say “never change,” but it seems Rudd is already taking that advice.
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Glow for It
J. Merritt/FilmMagic
We’d say “never change,” but it seems Rudd is already taking that advice.
21of 21’Majorly, Totally, Butt Crazy in Love with Josh’CBS via Getty ImagesOkay, because you asked for it: One more photo from hisCluelessdays.
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‘Majorly, Totally, Butt Crazy in Love with Josh’
CBS via Getty Images
Okay, because you asked for it: One more photo from hisCluelessdays.
source: people.com
