Paul Rudd is a renowned artist who has been a part of numerous incredible films. But how did the actor end up in this field? Previously, during an interview, the actor revealed what coaxed him to join the acting line. However, before showing his impeccable skills on screen, the actor has polished them by working in theatres.
Rudd talked about the beauty of performing for a live audience, and how is it different from performing on-screen. The actor emphasized that being a theatre performer opens you to instant feedback from the audience.
How did Paul Rudd end up joining the film industry?
Paul Rudd is popularly known for his appearance in the Marvel movies. However, the actor made his acting debut in 1992 with a television series called Sisters. After his appearance in the series, the actor saw a meteoric rise in his career. He continued his acting career as a television artist till 1994, with the Wild Oats series. It was in 1995 that he made his first breakthrough appearance on the big screen with the hit film Clueless.
However, it was a decade earlier in 1985, when the actor made the firm decision to join the film industry and honed his acting skills. Previously during an interview with Men’s Health, Rudd revealed that Martin Scorsese’s 1985 dark comedy film, After Hour, played a major role in influencing his decision to polish his acting skills. When the actor was asked what impressed him about the film, he said
“Griffin Dunne has been through so much. And he finally finds a safe harbor in some guy’s loft because there’s a mob out in the streets looking for him. And he calls the cops, and they say, Go get some sleep. And they hang up on him. But he doesn’t get mad. He’s just stupefied. And he says, ‘Oh, wow. Oh, wow.’ The only emotion is surprise. It’s beyond frustrating. And it’s sublime.”
Rudd further emphasized that the film had a profound impact on him, and he decided to focus on polishing his craft of acting. After the success of his debut film, Clueless, the actor got offers from several big projects however he turned down every offer, and spent a year working in theater. His days spent in the theatre did turn out to fruition for the actor as it instilled great confidence in him.
Paul Rudd fondly talked about the days of working in the theater
Since Paul Rudd has been involved in theatre from a young age, he has only good things to talk about. One of the best quotes from his IMDb page is where he says,
‘Theatre is the most enriching and thrilling thing to do as an actor. It trumps movies and all that other stuff. People say, ‘You must love the instant feedback,’ and we’re all attention whores for sure – that’s why we choose this profession. But it goes beyond that: There’s something magical about a shared experience in a theater, with actors and an audience. I don’t know if the audience members realize just how huge a part they play in a production. How they are determines how we are, and when it all works, it’s magical.’
Although both onscreen drama and theatre drama are equally fun to watch, actors have to undergo different procedures to bring the final output, and both have a different impact on the audience.
Also Read: “I felt awful”: Paul Rudd Thought He’d Be Fired From Friends After Hurting His Ex Jennifer Aniston
