Paul Rudd named the ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ by People magazine

People magazine has named Paul Rudd the Sexiest Man Alive for 2021. Rudd, who is best known for his roles in Marvel’s “Ant-Man” films, “This is 40,” and “Clueless,” was announced as this year’s winner on CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday night.

The actor tells the magazine in an upcoming issue that receiving the award will surprise some people. “I do have an awareness, enough to know that when people hear that I’d be picked for this, they would say, ‘What?’” he said. “This is not false humility. There are so many people that should get this before me.”

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Rudd, on the other hand, will gladly accept the honour. He jokes that the new title will get him an invitation to “those sexy dinners” with recent winners George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Michael B Jordan. 

John Legend, Dwayne Johnson, Chris Hemsworth, Idris Elba, Adam Levine, Channing Tatum, and David Beckham are among the previous honorees.

“I figure I’ll be on a lot more yachts,” Rudd said. “I’m excited to expand my yachting life. And I’ll probably try to get better at brooding in really soft light. I like to ponder. I think this is going to help me become more inward and mysterious. And I’m looking forward to that.”

Rudd’s first big movie role was in “Clueless”, a cult classic starring Alicia Silverstone, released in 1995. In addition to the “Anchorman” films, “The 40 Year Old Virgin” and “This is 40” a spin-off from the comedy “Knocked Up” he made a name for himself in several comedies.

In the Marvel superhero films “Ant-Man,” “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” “Captain America: Civil War,” and “Avengers: Endgame,” the actor rose to superstardom. He’ll appear alongside Will Ferrell in the new Apple TV+ series “The Shrink Next Door”, which premieres November 12. He’ll also star in the upcoming “Ghostbusters: Afterlife”.  

Rudd, 52, described his wife’s reaction to the news as “stupefied”. Jack, 17, and Darby, 12, are the couple’s two children.

“But you know she was very sweet about it,” he said of his wife, Julie, of 18 years. “After some giggling and shock, she said, ‘Oh, they got it right.’ And that was very sweet. She was probably not telling the truth, but what’s she going to say?”

Rudd anticipates “so much grief” from his circle of friends. He won’t hold it against them because he would do the same thing.

“I mean, I’m going to lean into it hard. I’m going to own this,” he said. “I’m not going to try to be like ‘Oh, I’m so modest.’ I’m getting business cards made. But all of my friends will destroy me, and I expect them to, and that’s why they’re my friends.”