Paul Rudd is recognizable from his incredibly long list of film credits, which range from cult classics like Clueless (1995)and Romeo + Juliet (1996)to hit comedies like Knocked Up (2004), The 40-year Old Virgin (2005), and I Love You Man (2009). And, in more recent years, the actor has become especially known for his recurring role as Scott Long, aka Ant-Man. Paul has reprised the role in four movies to date- Ant-Man(2015), Captain America: Civil War(2016), Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019), to be released this year.

Though this celeb has been in tons of recognizable roles, he tends to keep things on the down low when it comes to his personal life. Paul is married to a non-celeb. He met publicist Julie Yaeger in the mid-90s through work and the two eventually married in 2003. The star has since mentioned in an interview that his wife has retired from the biz. Together the couple have two kids: 15-year old Jack and 10-year old Darby.

Paul has done his best to raise his family away from the spotlight, even having their permanent home located in New York and separate from the Hollywood influences in LA. The celeb doesn’t speak frequently about his family in interviews and, when he does, he never reveals anything too personal. And, even more, he’s rarely photographed out and about with his family, aside from Hollywood functions. That’s why fans might be surprised to know these facts about Paul’s parenting style. Read on to discover how this actor is raising his brood.

20 He Loves Being Goofy With His Kids

We have a feeling the Rudd household is never boring! Given that he’s mainly a comedic actor, we can’t imagine Paul not being a super laid-back and fun-loving dad when he’s off the job. And the actor confirmed our suspicions in 2011 when he opened up about the hilarious way he would entertain his then-6-year old son and 1-year old daughter.

“I do a lot of dancing, silly dances,” Paul said about the lengths he goes to make his kids laugh, Hollywood Life reports. “If I can walk around in my underwear and pull it up super high so it’s just gross looking and then try and be very serious with them. I like to do that … pretend to be very mad and have my underwear hiked up … really high.”

19 He Knows Each Kid Needs Equal Attention

Even though he’s usually quiet on the topic of his family, Paul once opened up about one of the struggles he faced as a child- he felt his sister got more attention than he did (which evidently motivated his passion for comedy).

“My sister was born a couple years after I was, and I realized that I wasn't getting enough attention, as much attention as I used to before she showed up,” he once admitted. “And then I learned pretty early on that if I could do a silly dance or make grown-ups laugh, then the attention would come back to me, and I would be accepted.”

Given what he went through in childhood, we have a feeling Paul makes an extra effort to ensure his attention is divided equally between his two kids.

18 He Brings His Kids To The Set

We can’t imagine how difficult it must be for many actors to leave their families for weeks at a time while working on new projects.

While we’re sure Paul’s schedule is pretty hectic, the star says he makes an effort to bring his kids to set so they can see what he does for work. “They’ll come to set and they’ll think it’s cool and they’ve seen the suit, but then once they’re there they just want to know where the table with the free candy is,” he told US Weekly.

Well, it sounds like Paul’s kids might be more impressed that there’s a never-ending supply of candy on set versus the fact their dad is an award-winning actor. Hey, it’s not like we ever thought our dad’s job was cool!

17 Yet He Doesn't Let Fame Get To Their Heads

Paul Rudd is one of few celebs who manages to raise his family almost completely over the spotlight. There have been a few times he’s been pictured out with his brook and, when he has been, it’s usually because they’ve taken the kids along with them to an A-list event.

The actor’s efforts to keep kids away from the spotlight likely stems from his belief that growing up somewhere humble is good for character development- in other words, he doesn’t want to let fame get to his kids’ heads. “I think there's something kind of good about growing up in a place you know is not the cool place to be,” Paul once explained. “I think it's good for your head.”

16 He’s A Pro On Road Trips

Road trips are a staple vacation in many families and it sounds like Paul’s is no different. The celeb has given great (not to mention hilarious) advice for what the perfect road trip looks like, so we’re guessing he and his family are professionals when it comes to doing long hauls by car.

“Anybody that's going on a road trip and doesn't really want to get into a myriad of snacks is probably no one you want to get in the car with,” Paul once said of his best road tripping advice. Any parent will tell you that snacks are a must when you’re traveling with kids, especially young ones. So it sounds like the actor is probably speaking from experience.

15 He Makes Family Traditions A Priority

Weren’t traditions a highlight of your childhood? They are for most people- and that’s why we’re guessing Paul and his wife make an effort to keep their family traditions alive.

Paul has spoken more than once about how important keeping traditions going is for him and his family. This past November, the actor revealed they’d be spending Thanksgiving in the same fashion they do every year- by eating out at their favorite family restaurant.

“We go to Kansas City and we’ll all eat at this restaurant that’s been an important restaurant for my entire family most of my life,” the 49-year old told Us Weekly. “I’m a big fan of traditions and things like that.”

14 But He Also Considers What The Kids Want

As much as Paul loves keeping family traditions alive, the actor admits he knows some things must change with the times, especially as his kids grow older.

Despite celebrating Thanksgiving in traditional fashion, Paul revealed they did things a bit differently on Halloween this year. Neither his 8-year old or 12-year old were particularly interested in trick-or-treating and the Rudd parents respected their wishes.

“They didn’t get as much candy. My daughter kind of gave up on it early. She’s not really that into crowds,” he told US Weekly. “And this was the first year I didn’t really go trick-or-treating with my son. He was out with his pals.”

13 Sassiness Is Encouraged In His Household

Paul gave fans insight into his laid-back parenting approach when he recalled the snarky reaction his then-9-year old son Jack had to him scoring the lead role in Ant-Man. Clearly, there’s a good flow of open communication in his household since his son didn’t hold back from giving an honest (and also very sassy) opinion.

“When I told my own son that I was going to be in a superhero movie, he asked what it was," Paul told Entertainment Tonight."I said, 'Well I'll be playing Ant-Man.' He said, 'What?' He was not that impressed." The dad-of-two added, "What he actually said was ‘wow I can’t wait to see how stupid that’ll be.'"

12 His Family Bonds Over The Marvel Universe

Wouldn’t you be a Marvel fan if your dad was a superhero? Considering that Paul Rudd plays the titular character in Ant-Man, most fans would expect his kids would be pretty big fans of the Marvel Universe. And they’re right!

Even though Paul’s son was less than impressed with his father’s superhero role, the actor says his family still bonds over their love for the Marvel Universe. “My kids are very excited about that and they really have gotten into the Marvel universe,” he told US Weekly. “They watch all the movies and they think it’s really cool.”

11 He Knows Maintaining A Family Takes Work

Given that he’s such a private person, it’s not surprising the star has been relatively mum on the topic of his marriage. But if one thing is for sure, it’s that their relationship is clearly strong- 16 years together is like a lifetime by Hollywood standards.

But the one thing Paul has been outspoken about is the fact that maintaining a happy, healthy family takes work and commitment, especially when it comes to the relationship between you and your partner.

“I think most marriages, mine included, you're constantly tending the garden, constantly working at it,” Paul once shared. Clearly, other celebs could learn a thing or two from his long-lasting relationship!

10 He’s Aware Of Dangers On The Internet

Paul comes across as the type of parent who tries to educate his kids whenever there’s a golden opportunity. One of the things he’s spoken about in interviews is the drawbacks of the Internet; namely that once you post something, it's online forever.

The actor once shared his own funny story about how he learned what goes on the Internet stays on the Internet. “What's weird is that anybody can write anything, and once it goes online, it's permanent,” he explained. “My very first biography on IMDb, which was written by a manager I had at the time, was not true.”

We’re guessing he’ll use this personal anecdote on his own kids when preparing to give them a talk on using the Internet responsibly.

9 He Might Be Teaching His Kids To Be Too Nice

Paul always seems to play the good guy on the big screen. So it’s safe to say he’s probably a pretty chill guy in real life. The actor once said it was his parents who instilled in him the value of kindness… so much so, he says it makes him a bit of a people pleaser.

“My parents raised me to treat people the way you would want to be treated and to be polite,” Paul explained. Sometimes, when I get nervous or insecure, I might overcompensate and might not be totally true to what I am feeling inside. But I get nervous and maybe too smiley and polite.

Given the value of kindness was held high in his own home while growing up, we’re guessing it also rings true for his family. But he’s probably also teaching his kids the difference between being nice and being a people pleaser.

8 He's Not Afraid To Be Sentimental

Some dads might think they need to put on a tough act in order to raise successful boys- but that’s not Paul’s approach. The actor has admitted that fatherhood has actually helped him get in tune with his sentimental side and he has no problem with his kids seeing him get emotional.

“I’ve experienced more profound moments in my life: my dad dying, being a parent,” Paul said during an interview with Mr. Porter, Entertainment Tonight reports. “All of a sudden your sensitivity is heightened. I see things on TV like 'Undercover Boss' and they knock me to the ground. My kids make fun of me. ‘Oh, Dad’s crying again.’”

7 He Encourages Artistic Expression

While many celebrities are either strongly against or strongly for their child entering the acting biz, Paul seems somewhat ambivalent- in the sense that he wants his kid to develop and pursue their passions, whatever that may be.

From the sounds of it, Paul and his wife run a very creative household. The star has opened up about his daughter Darby’s passion for drawing. Her favorite thing to draw? Her dad as Ant-Man!

“My daughter, who is seven, all she does is draw pictures of Ant-Man and the Wasp. I mean, she's the sweetest thing in the world, so I have lot's of pictures of Ant-Man, which she [drew],” the actor revealed in 2017, Hello Giggles reports.

6 He Believes Laughter Is The Best Medicine

Paul Rudd has got a great sense of humor and we’re not just saying that because he’s been in so many hit comedies. If you watch any of his interviews, he’s always cracking jokes or telling hilarious stories, proving that he’s a funny guy in real life, too.

Based on the funny things he shares about his family, it also sounds like comedy and laughter are a big part of their household. Paul has actually spoken about how he used comedy as a coping mechanism as a kid, so we’re guessing he passed on his passion for all things funny to his kids.

“I think I used comedy as a mechanism: if I could make the other kids laugh, I wouldn't get beaten up or teased as much,” he explained.

5 He Puts Family Before His Career

We’d say that Paul Rudd has had a pretty successful career in Hollywood (more successful than any of us average folks, that is!).

But the celeb has implied more than once about the sacrifices he’s made career-wise in order to put his family first. Paul has turned down multiple roles throughout the years to prioritize spending time with his wife and kids, especially if the project would have him away for weeks at a time.

“Looking back, I'm really happy with the choices I've made in my career. I know for a fact I could be wealthier,” he once explained about living his career with no regrets. “Who knows, maybe I could be more successful, maybe not. I don't know. But just about every single thing I've ever done I've gone into with the right intentions, and that goes a long way.”

4 He Understands Being A Kid Is Tough

Being a kid sure isn’t easy, even if your parent is a famous celebrity!

Many kids and teens complain that their parents don’t understand what it’s like to go through adolescence, or at least they don’t remember. But it sounds like Paul makes an effort to remember what life was like at his kids’ ages and use this in order to relate to them better.

“I was always in new schools and had British parents, which was not the norm, and I think there was also,” the actor once said about struggling to fit in as a child. “I'm not particularly religious, but I was born Jewish, and I always felt like the outsider because I wasn't Christian or Catholic.”

3 He Knows Location Is Important For Raising Kids

The environment you live in- whether it be the type of home, city, or suburb you call home- has an impact on your ability to parent, sometimes for the better and other times for the worst.

Paul has always spoken highly about being raised in the Mid West, which is likely one of the reasons he decided to base his family out of New York rather than Hollywood central- aka. LA.

“There is something about growing up in the Midwest that gives a different kind of sensibility,” the star has said about his upbringing. “But if I'm feeling insecure, the smiles and politeness get upped a notch, and maybe that isn't totally reflective of how I'm feeling on the inside.”

2 He Raises His Kids In NYC Because It’s ‘Humbling’

Some parents would say raising kids in New York would be a nightmare, but for Paul Rudd is sounds like his dream come true.

Some fans may not know that Paul and his family are permanently located in New York. This may seem like an odd choice given that much of his work takes him to LA. But the celeb has only spoken highly of the bustling city and seems to believe it’s the perfect place to raise open-minded, aware children.

Along with there being less paparazzi in the Great Apple compared to LA, the actor has also said the diversity of the city makes it “humbling” to live in. “The truth is, there are so many terrific places in New York because it's the greatest city in the world,” he explained. “And there are so many fascinating places to see that, frankly, it's humbling.”

1 He Admits He Hasn’t Got Everything Figured Out

Many parents feel they need to put on a perfect façade to have their kids (and the rest of the world) convinced they have everything together. But most if not all of us are facing our own struggles and still figuring out how to make things work. Recently, Paul was very candid when he shared that he still feels he doesn’t have everything figured out.

“While there are so many great things in my life, you get older, and you have responsibilities,” the star explained. “And things happen, like my dad dying - things that are tough to shake off. And there are things I'm still trying to figure out.” Just because you’re famous doesn’t mean everything is picture-perfect!

References: Entertainment Tonight, Huffington Post, US Weekly, US Weekly, Hollywood Life, Brainy Quotes,