Paul Rudd may have won the title of PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive in 2021, but for anyone who's been aware of him since his breakout role in 1995's Clueless, the designation was a long time coming. Perpetually boyishly handsome, willing to be a goofball on screen (as Anchorman fans can attest), a dedicated husband and father and 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.
'90s Baby
![Paul Rudd throwbacks](https://people.com/thmb/pofFh22azEone95ZItrzIyxDkWo=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(496x0:498x2)/paul-rudd-throwbacks-3-f63aba641c5a47ebbe31298223711630.jpg)
In 1995, Paul Rudd had only just begun to make us all swoon with his good looks and great hair.
I Love Josh!
![Paul Rudd throwbacks](https://people.com/thmb/zV0INl5hTa0sml9hCn1Uc1kg6ls=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/paul-rudd-throwbacks-1-3101b7240fc34bab9530ceb03c0683fe.jpg)
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's Clueless, alongside Alicia Silverstone.
Friendship Goals
![Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd](https://people.com/thmb/hou3isa4MdBxLgK5wyRGoQD2Xsw=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(689x419:691x421)/reese-witherspoon-paul-rudd-2-97eb9489387b4528a34bac5ed2163761.jpg)
In 1996, Rudd joined fellow ageless wonder, Reese Witherspoon, for a selfie that might just prove they both found the Fountain of Youth.
Have Your Cake and Eat It Too
![Paul Rudd throwbacks](https://people.com/thmb/3Sqglj0Cf6-rln31TWT1q1J9XIo=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/paul-rudd-throwbacks-4-4b97666ec87f4fefbb7ed29c25b8999d.jpg)
Though he played Josh in the movie version, in 1996, Rudd played Sonny for one episode in the Clueless TV series, this time opposite Rachel Blanchard as Cher. He also fed her this cheesecake, and we have never been more jealous.
Smile for the Camera
![Paul Rudd (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)](https://people.com/thmb/n0Sdv6dHXpX-o0eNnIQQeLfi79k=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(665x0:667x2)/paul-rudd-4-dd89aaa7b73a40c4872499d1637f829a.jpg)
In 1997, Rudd rocked up to the Men In Black premiere in a classic white T-shirt.
Taking a Dip
![Paul Rudd throwbacks](https://people.com/thmb/AUeeir7trRGbd_3WxrGvFBSK-sg=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/paul-rudd-throwbacks-6-404698ceee0f49c6ac1b33cdc5c93406.jpg)
And then he swept Jennifer Aniston off her feet (literally) in The Object of My Affection in 1998.
Sick Burns
![(Original Caption) Paul Rudd, co-star of the film, arrives at the Avco Cinema. (Photo by Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images)](https://people.com/thmb/50oZ2cieqqKmf14a20oAMngcdDE=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(765x0:767x2)/paul-rudd-2-2000-f0dc392c6c9641faa543dcda187d9b1f.jpg)
There are few people who can pull off a statement sideburn, but we'd argue that Rudd is one of them.
Dashing Dude
![Paul Rudd throwbacks](https://people.com/thmb/DObdMcfT9pksP_F2KHdPkcWfvjM=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(528x0:530x2)/paul-rudd-throwbacks-11-4da6bfeaaa084a4790b9f83d8d375a2d.jpg)
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."
Star Struck
![Paul Rudd throwbacks](https://people.com/thmb/11gD-F9f6-Lym8ZRIycdHMLC7PE=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(559x194:561x196)/paul-rudd-throwbacks-13-a760728c00cb4c1db50c3ce478fc7bb0.jpg)
Rudd's long hair and graphic tee are a dead giveaway that this photo was taken in 1999.
I See You
![Paul Rudd throwbacks](https://people.com/thmb/S_l495-jHY915d2sS3wFhnr4ICs=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(499x0:501x2)/paul-rudd-throwbacks-8-e1412e7e364542e3a30449176c4ae41f.jpg)
Even glasses wouldn't make it easier to tell when this photo was taken (it was 2000).
Blond Hair, Don't Care
![Paul Rudd throwbacks](https://people.com/thmb/x9e-WoA_sS3ge6udRrj2XM9DvuY=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(512x0:514x2)/paul-rudd-throwbacks-2-8cd3b2825f5f4be59e8f2ac639aa0a42.jpg)
In 2000, Rudd changed up his look with some blond locks for Gen-Y Cops.
He's Got Soul
![Paul Rudd throwbacks](https://people.com/thmb/GDXReKbEraFwan212toT5uWd5go=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(499x0:501x2)/paul-rudd-throwbacks-7-cd8de7f011a24a1e817d3b5561ee2bbf.jpg)
In 2000, Rudd attended a premiere donning a pretty spectacular soul patch.
Q & A
![NEW YORK - MAY 8: (U.S. TABS AND HOLLYWOOD REPORTER OUT) Actor Paul Rudd speaks at the Actors On Acting: Theater and Film panel discussion during the 2003 Tribeca Film Festival at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center May 8, 2003 in New York City. (Photo b](https://people.com/thmb/beB94a2C3G7ibOTXT7KpX-yziHk=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(939x505:941x507)/paul-rudd-5-61d39238c0ea4322abd4682ca6f9e570.jpg)
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.
Hair He Is
![Paul Rudd throwbacks](https://people.com/thmb/KeuhY7HQLBJ_KFSdJEDf3zec7g4=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(499x0:501x2)/paul-rudd-throwbacks-9-a2a855cb1d4d4a839ac04395c773bee6.jpg)
Those boyishly tousled locks (at the premiere of Elf in 2003) just add to the sexy.
Wedding Belles
![Paul Rudd throwbacks](https://people.com/thmb/xhdhAyA6i3YyY8P3z096ph4MT_Y=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/paul-rudd-throwbacks-5-a90afb3aa7b94680bbf1914611e0cdc1.jpg)
Rudd had a glow when he filmed Friends in 2004 alongside Lisa Kudrow.
Premiere Crasher
![Paul Rudd throwbacks](https://people.com/thmb/2imtgoxRAl1BmppQIhHr2pHEvGI=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(526x0:528x2)/paul-rudd-throwbacks-14-ef54097955db4d58b4a39e176d2c8c0e.jpg)
In 2005, Rudd attended the premiere of Wedding Crashers sporting a beard.
Bundled Up
![Paul Rudd during 2003 Sundance Film Festival - "The Shape of Things" - Portraits at Yahoo Movies Portrait Studio in Park City, Utah, United States. (Photo by J. Vespa/WireImage)](https://people.com/thmb/5Q_uwgF7zALJz1vwNBuJNp9L6sM=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(692x479:694x481)/paul-rudd-3-3c164d073c7a4d638e213068ab726606.jpg)
Who needs a parka when we've got Paul Rudd's love to keep us warm!
Hello? Is It Paul You're Looking For?
![Paul Rudd throwbacks](https://people.com/thmb/8Qc8ysKWuAdVSoPLF4y5PTZD5Fc=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(499x0:501x2)/paul-rudd-throwbacks-10-2786e1cb3cb54998b34df9645e9a6b07.jpg)
A cell phone fit for someone who would soon become Ant-Man.
'Stached Away
![LOS ANGELES - JULY 9: The movie "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy", directed by Adam McKay. Seen here from left, Darcy Donavan as Sherri (Hot Blonde) and Paul Rudd as Brian Fantana. Initial theatrical release, July 9, 2004. Screen capture. Paramount Pictures. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)](https://people.com/thmb/W-Atv9zgqJMegc23QwHs9T08Vj8=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(959x505:961x507)/paul-rudd-1-ef6a8bc8d47744ada0c7337bf62569d0.jpg)
Rudd played Brian Fantana in 2004's Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy alongside 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."
Glow for It
![Paul Rudd throwbacks](https://people.com/thmb/rTdoPkZl1GmErR73rLKBsFlndhM=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/paul-rudd-throwbacks-12-0b3ab91d1e034e7c992565f813b4edcb.jpg)
We'd say "never change," but it seems Rudd is already taking that advice.
'Majorly, Totally, Butt Crazy in Love with Josh'
![paul rudd](https://people.com/thmb/h3p2tq4n6s9Zwt24dqQjTtOl-kc=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(939x634:941x636)/PAUL-RUDD-2-f1892eac433c4be693a7f45690ca2c39.jpg)
Okay, because you asked for it: One more photo from his Clueless days.