Paul Rudd Says Despite His 'Happy-Go-Lucky' Persona, He 'Can Get Pretty Depressed' Outside the Public Eye

Tommy McArdleWed, June 3, 2026 at 3:25 PM UTC

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Paul Rudd on May 19, 2026
Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty -

Paul Rudd said in a new interview that his "happy-go-lucky dude" persona does not exactly match up with who he is in his private life

Rudd also discussed initially setting out to work as a dramatic actor in the years before he hit it big in major 2000s comedies like Anchorman and Knocked Up

Rudd's new movie Power Ballad is in theaters now

Paul Rudd is sharing a rare behind-the-scenes look at his private life.

Rudd, 57, told The Hollywood Reporterin an article published Wednesday, June 3 as he promotes his new movie Power Balladthat the bright and sunny disposition he brings to his acting work and public persona does not necessarily match up with who he is in private.

“I mean, I don't think I'm completely like what people might think I'm like. I'm not just a happy-go-lucky dude,” he told THR, as he explained that he joined Power Ballad because he identified with his character, a lifelong musician whose career in music has not turned out the way he expected as a younger man.

“Well, I can get pretty depressed,” he added. “But we're all multi-dimensional, right? We all feel things deeply. We all get pretty sad about stuff. We all have those moments where you wake up at 3 in the morning and your mind is racing and it's the noise of the world and your life and ‘How am I going to get on with all of this?' I feel that, too. I just don't ever talk about that in interviews.”

Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd in Power Ballad
Credit: David Cleary for Lionsgate

On top of the differences between his public persona and actual self, Rudd shared in the interview that he initially imagined himself as a "serious" actor when he first began studying acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. His favorite actor is three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis, Rudd told THR, and back in the '90s, Day-Lewis was "exactly the kind of actor" Rudd wanted to emulate.

“I wanted to be this dangerous, brooding, incredible actor … then I have this meeting and she says, ‘You're going to need to cut your hair,' ” he recalled of an early meeting he had with a Hollywood agent as his college education wrapped. “She goes, ‘Well, you're not an edgy guy, you're more of an all-American type, and they're going to want you clean-cut.' And I'm like, ‘Oh my God, that is not who I am. That's the last thing I want to hear.' "

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Rudd costars with Nick Jonas in Power Ballad, in which Rudd portrays a "past-his-prime wedding singer" named Rick, who performs at a wedding where Jonas's character, a pop star named Danny, is in attendance. The two bond over music during a late-night jam session, and Rick later learns that Danny has turned one of Rick's songs into a hit that reignites his career. In response, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition for writing the song that he believes he deserves.

Paul Rudd on May 29, 2026
Credit: Kyle Rivas/Getty

While speaking with THR, Rudd also noted that he never quite expected his career to take off with roles in R-rated comedies like Wet Hot American Summer, Anchorman and Knocked Up that he was frequently cast in during the 2000s.

“And it's not like I had all these job offers for that serial killer part. So, maybe that agent was right. Maybe I don't have any edge and this is what I was meant to do," he said. "But it's also weird — sometimes with comedy, it's looked at as a little more frivolous than the important movies and the important actors.”

When asked if that bothers him, Rudd added, “Nah, I made peace with that a hell of a long time ago. I don't give a s--- . I shouldn't say that. I mostly don't give a s---. Part of me gives a s---.”

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Power Ballad is in theaters now.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”