Over the weekend, most of the cast of Clueless reunited at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2). Alicia Silverstone, Breckin Meyer, Donald Faison and Paul Rudd came together to chat about the film 24 years after its release. Cast members not there were Brittany Murphy, who sadly passed away 10 years ago, and outspoken conservative Fox-ette, Stacey Dash, whose invitation was probably ‘accidentally’ dropped in the incinerator.
The cast looks good but, of course, positively ageless Paul Rudd (49) looks almost the same as he did when he filmed the movie. So someone attending the panel asked, how?! Rudd responded and, as we all predicted, its dark magic:
The teen comedy “Clueless,” which turns 25 next year, has aged well. If you were anywhere near McCormick Place Saturday afternoon, particularly if you were attending the annual C2E2 comic con, you know exactly how well. A sea of fans, more than a few dressed in approximations of the memorable, bright plaid skirt suits worn by Alicia Silverstone and Stacey Dash in the 1995 movie, filled a 2,800-seat hall for a cast reunion.
And as iffy as reunions get, this one was charming, a sweet smile of a catch-up, warmer than the typical comic-con panel held in an impersonal ballroom, not so much contrived but rather, a genuine moment among friends who worked together.
Naturally, age came up.
Silverstone, in a denim jumpsuit, looked less lighthearted than she did at 17. Faison looked a touch larger. Meyer looked a bit grayer. But Rudd — at his first comic con, he said — looked almost exactly the same at 49, like America’s boyfriend. He said: “You know how in ‘Dazed and Confused’ Matthew McConaughey looks older than the rest?” When “Clueless” was filmed, he was older than most of the young cast. Today, he looks younger than them. Asked his secret, he said: “I’m 80 years old on the inside.” He pointed to his chest: “In here, pure darkness — and a little moisturizer.”
I absolutely love that Rudd has made four Marvel films (three released, one coming up) and yet, his first comic con appearance is for Clueless, (even if he did get a bunch of Ant Man and Endgame questions). As for his refusal to age, he has to hear that all the time and with the intonation that it’s freaky as hell. The rest of the cast look great but they just look like humans who are a few decades older while Rudd’s out here admitting to not having a heartbeat.
I’ve put the video of the whole panel at the bottom. It is obvious these guys get along really well, they’re really playful with each other, which makes it fun to watch. They told a lot of stories about hanging out together during the film (most of which Alicia had forgotten). So, it was especially touching when an audience member asked about Brittany Murphy. The question comes about the 53:54 mark and apparently the lady who asked the question is cos playing as Tai, Brittany’s character, so Meyers asked her to step forward because he “want(s) to see Brit’s outfit.” Each of the four is obviously emotional but they stay positive. It was a nice moment.
There is a really funny story at the 15:13 mark in which Faison talks about his 21st birthday and the cast taking him out to a bar. They ran into William Zabka, who played Johnny in The Karate Kid. The reason it’s funny is because Rudd jumped in and said he’d ran into Zabka the day before at C2E2 and they remembered hanging out but couldn’t remember why. He gets giddy as he pieces it together:
Oh, my heart! Cher and Josh 4ever 😉😍 #Clueless pic.twitter.com/6pvVpWHnMY
— Mari🌈LoveWins🐚🗑️ (@Cadi_79_) March 24, 2019
Photo credit: WENN, Twitter and Instagram
To be honest, I am absolutely puzzled about the Internet’s obsession with Rudd’s age. He looks fine and maybe slightly younger than his actual age – and definitely much older than he looked in Clueless.
I agree that he looks older than in the film but he really looks good for his age. (Same with Alicia.) I cannot tell you how many guys I know who are his age but look 60. I assume Rudd lives healthy lifestyle because that can go a long way in keeping someone youthful
I have no doubt that he lives healthy life style and I agree that he looks good – but definitely over forty. But that being said – I just don’t understand why Internet chose to obsess about Rudd’s youngish looks, and not about Jared Leto or Keanu Reeves, or Jim Parsons, or, I don’t know, Lenny Kravitz. I despise Leto, but, seriously, he is a fucking vampire.
People are obsessed with Keanu’s age, too. There was a whole meme a few years ago about how he’s a time traveler where people found Keanu look alikes in classic art.
I think the reason people obsess over Paul Rudd’s agelessness is because he is average. Jim Parsons is baby-faced, so it makes sense he looks young for his age, and Jared Leto has pronounced bone structure to account for it. But Paul Rudd is just an average white guy, there is no visible reason he should have such great skin. It’s mostly a joke, people having fun on the internet, but there is a real, “I want him to name his moisturizer” undertone to it.
@tangerine respectfully disagree. Jared Leto is aging, and not aging well. The features that made him ‘pretty’ when he was young just make him look haggard and awkward now. Keanu also looks his age now, though it took him forever to get to that point.
Lenny Kravitz doesn’t look ‘young’ either, he just looks like a very handsome man in his mid-50s. Meanwhile Rudd, who… really isn’t my taste, to be honest, really does look younger than many men in their late 30s do.
who is tangerine?
He looks healthy. Some younger guys who are only 35 look, well, un-healthy. He looks older than the young version of himself but better than regular 49 year old men, if that makes any sense. Exercise probably makes the difference though. People who exercise generally look younger.
The young version of himself looked young too, so maybe that helps. Some young guys look old. (I think men in general tend to look older than women do because of differing expectations for the sexes, so that’s probably why people are obsessed with his looks). Compared to someone like Leo DiCaprio (who I don’t think looks bad, but different from his sharp-featured younger) he does look like he’s changed minimally.
Yes! I don’t get it either. He hasn’t gained weight and his hair hasn’t turned gray (probably dyes it) so he has avoided the main pitfalls that age most people, but he has definitely aged and definitely looks 45+.
In photographs he looks younger, but in the clip posted above I was surprised to see he looked older than I was expecting. Not bad, but not as young-looking as he does in his photographs.
To be fair, I think once you’re past a certain age you can look radically different depending on how much you effort you put into your appearance that day. When you’re 20, you just roll out of bed and nothing is going to radically change how old you look. That said, he doesn’t strike me as particularly vain like some of those fashionista guys. He seems comfortable in his skin and I think that probably creates a positive aura around him for people.
Genetics play a part but also how you take care of yourself, myself I only drank alcohol a handful of times during my whole life, I think that’s mostly why I look 30 and almost 49 years old. I seen alcohol age people like crazy
IMO he looks on the good side of his age, but still his age. I wish he wouldn’t go with the jet black hair. He’s still adorable, I like him in everything. I even liked him in The 40 Year Old Virgin when he looked a little bloated and disheveled, like his character. His hair was a more natural color then.
I don’t think he looks his age, even in person. I saw him last year and if anything, he looks even younger/better in person. I do think he has aged since Clueless, he has visibly aged, but he looks nowhere near fifty. He looks like a 40 year old to me. I think losing weight for Ant-Man took a few extra years off his already youthful appearance. He has such great skin, I really want to know his secret.
That was such a fun, sweet movie.
It was such a great movie. I never realized it was based on Emma until I picked up the book at the age of 30. So funny, Cher is so much more likable than Emma. I really think this movie does the book justice.
I’ve always found Paul Rudd to be just utterly adorable and charming. He’s definitely been one of my HW crushes since Clueless and I’m so happy for him for the success he’s found with Marvel (he deserves it). He seems so genuine and down-to-earth, that paired with his sense of humor only makes him more attractive and likeable.
Yes!! He seems like he’s just so nice and fun
They sad Cher and josh would probably still together today, I love that
He looks young, but Alicia Silverstone deserves a call out too – she looks fantastic. Maybe there is something to that vegan lifestyle.
They all look fantastic for their age.
I think he’s absolutely gorgeous. Already was back then, still is, and probably will continue to be. He also seems like a lovely person.
I always thought he was so cute in Clueless, but he has gotten better looking with age.
I loved the movie and yeah Rudd is still hot.
I can’t believe its been 10 years since Murphy passed – i loved her work.
That announcer lady needs to dial it down to about a 7 – she’s at about a 16 right now.
Isn’t she one of the cheerleaders from Bring It on?
I think it might be because he’s so tiny lol I saw him filming Antman in SF and he’s kidsize!! I like him, he’s a good egg.
I just turned 48 and people just assume I am in my early to mid 30’s. When I turned 21 I looked 15 I couldn’t get into a bar without the bouncer double checking my ID wasn’t fake. But I also had really oily skin, I was very self conscious about it. My dermatologist told me I will appreciate it later in life. NO WRINKLES! it’s true. I have no wrinkles and my skin is evened out now with proper care. It doesn’t look like Paul has had anything done. Some people are just naturally youthful.
Oily skin is more naturally moisturized and therefore flexible, so the creasing doesn’t occur as quickly. It also tends to lend the skin a “dewy” look, which gives people a youthful glow. For those of us with drier skin, early intervention is the biggest key – you MUST wear sunscreen, avoid smoking, etc. My sister lived in Florida for a few years and never put it on, and she smoked from age 15 to 30, and despite being younger than me, I have more youthful looking skin because I’ve always been too fair to go outside without it.
(Sadly, I will likely not avoid eye wrinkles by the time I’m 48 – I’ve had fine lines underneath my eyes since childhood due to the hooded shape, so they’re not going anywhere!)
I, too, am an oily skin-haver and I do appreciate it in later life, not so much at all when younger. That said, you can tell I’m not so young with the hair and everything but I was mistaken for Hodor a few weeks ago. I had to explain a couple of times that Kristian Naarn is over a foot taller than I am.
Yep, oily skin has been the bane of my life and also a great boon. I’ve been fortunate to not have the accompanying acne but I’ve tried sooooo many things over the years to stop looking like a grease pit by the end of the day. Niacinamide seems to be the current front runner but if it starts to dry out my skin I’ll lose all the oil’s benefits. What to do what to do….
He dyes his hair. It’s all jet black, fake looking.
Yes, his face looks great but ladies in Hollywood men even get a little extra boost in youth however they can!
The headline made me laugh out loud, thank you. I know I feel 80 on the inside more and more these days. I also cackled at the thought of Stacey Dash’s invite being “lost.” Oops, sorry not sorry. She would have ruined the vibe of their reunion, I’m sure.
*shrugs* Honestly, most of the cast has aged really well. It’s not surprising when you consider the industry they’re in – lots to access to skin care, surgery, easier living, etc. I would assume Rudd has had work at some point. Maybe not invasive work, but certainly he’s had enough sensible vanity to care for his looks. The mistake a lot of them make is attempting to make themselves look twenty at forty. The smart ones just do a few tweaks to make themselves look good for their age.
This makes me think of Brittany…
And that makes me sad….
Sigh….
That was a fun panel discussion!
Breckin Meyer was really funny and Alicia seemed like she hadn’t had enough sleep.
But I could watch Paul Rudd tell stories all day ~ he’s witty, so charming and sooo good looking!
Genetics play a HUGE role in ageing. Obviously eating right and having a healthy lifestyle helps, but honestly some people can drink like a fish and smoke and not age!
Eventually, I think it catches up to you though, like with Johnny Depp. He looked amazing at 40 and everybody thought he’d never age…..and then…..boom.
It hit my sister’s husband hard in his late thirties. He looked great up until 35, and by the time they divorced, he looked a full ten years older than her. Smoking and alcohol will wreck your face given enough time, especially if you don’t have a Hollywood income available to pay for the skin care/surgery/etc. to stave off the damage.
I am a happily married woman in her late 40s, but if someone out there wanted to finance a movie with Mark Ruffalo and Paul Rudd, how would one go about doing that? Asking for a friend…..They don’t have to act, they just have to sit there, smile and shoot the s**t.
Lol I’d pay to watch that!
He looks fine but noticeably older. I think it’s very typical for how men get praised for being average.
He still has his hair. That makes a marked difference in how men are perceived in terms of youthfulness, I think. Take away the hair and it’s likely people would think he looks older (er, see Prince William and Harry. Those guys don’t look old — they just don’t have the hair they used to).
I think his face also has a slight boyishness to it, especially when he smiles. It makes him look younger. I think he’s aged well, but I agree that’s because men are allowed to age. We notice women’s age more because we have so few models for natural female aging in most media. Just look at what Carrie Fisher had to put up with after the first Star Wars movies – she looked exactly like what you would expect a normal 50-60 year old woman to look like, and people tore her apart for it.
They were so cruel to Carrie with their stupid comments makes me mad just remembering it.
I loved this movie and hadn’t seen it in years until it was on over the weekend. As soon as it was over I turned to my husband and said, “Well that just made me feel really freaking old!”. I was the same age as the characters were supposed to be when the movie came out and I remember it like yesterday. Wow.
That being said I may be almost 41 but I don’t look like it and I definitely don’t feel old in side 😉
I think bone structure plays a huge part. My sister does not do anything, doesn’t do sunblock, special diet, etc. She’s always highly stressed (e. R. doc and 2 young kids). Her face has visible aging signs but looks very youthful. I have tons of beauty products and I’m still aging like milk. I am cursed with the lack of cheekbones and weak jawline. My skin is fine though.
I co-sign the previous comments, he looks good but not ageless. I still remember the movie theater I saw Clueless at. I grew up in Northern California, so the Valley slang and
Beverly Hills culture was the complete opposite of what I knew. Clueless is this perfect time capsule of SoCal in the early nineties.
People are probably fascinated by how he’s aged because he’s a…white guy. If he were a person of colour, how he’s aged wouldn’t be shocking. But for a white person (given exposure to the sun and all that). I think how he’s aged is a bit unusual for his ethnic group.
On another note, I think I saw Jon Hamm in a commercial recently on Youtube and was stunned by how bad he looked given how people go on about his looks. It’s like his inner personality from when he was in his early 20s caught up to his face or something.
Like they said, at 50, we get the face we deserve.
They all look good and healthy but they look good for their ages.
I love clueless. It’s one of my favorite movies.
Anyway, he looks good, but he doesn’t look ageless. You know who looks ageless? Bianca Lawson. She’s been playing a teenager for over 30 years!