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Paul Rudd: Ham Glazer Turned Thespian

3:24·By Gemma G
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About this video

The man is as nice as his loveable character Ned in his new film 'Our Idiot Brother' but Paul Rudd had a few more endearing characters before his acting days...one of which being a professional ham glazer. All meat mentions aside, hear about why Paul took to this role and what he thinks about red crocs and Kellan Lutz. Hosted by Nikki Novak.

Chapters (7)

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Key Moments (5)

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Key Topics (3)

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Full Transcript

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Young Hollywood

Before you were an actor, weren't you a ham glazer?

Paul Rudd

I glazed hams. It's rhythmic. There's more to it. Yeah, it's you got and you gotta get it down. I don't wanna brag or anything but I had the rhythm down.

Young Hollywood

What's up guys? Nikki Novak here in the Young Hollywood studios with Paul Rudd. How are you?

Paul Rudd

I'm good. Look at this. You this so that the pillow doesn't move. You don't do that at your house? You don't take pillows to the couch?

Young Hollywood

I would love to have a Young Hollywood pillow for my house.

Paul Rudd

Listen for you. We might let you take one home.

Young Hollywood

Well, actually, you know what? Let's just get this out of the way first. Really? Yeah. Here we go. Here's a hat. Is that a good consolation prize?

Paul Rudd

This is you know, you Maybe just a hat and a pillow. Not to be offended. A new one would have been a little nicer. This is I let my cat go at it this morning. This thing is just chewed up. It's exciting to be on Young Hollywood. Is it?

Young Hollywood

The couch. I know before we we started rolling you were getting very comfy on this couch. You know, this it's just it it it's so happening. Speaking of hip, Mr. Ned. Your character. I mean your outfit, your wardrobe. I heard it was like your favorite wardrobe of all time of any character. Hands down. Say it. Who's the man?

Paul Rudd

Who's the man?

Young Hollywood

Who's the No, say who I'm the man.

Paul Rudd

You're the man.

Young Hollywood

You're the man.

Paul Rudd

I'm the man.

Young Hollywood

You're the man. That's right. Say it.

Paul Rudd

I'm the man.

Young Hollywood

Say it.

Paul Rudd

I'm the man.

Young Hollywood

Louder.

Paul Rudd

I'm the man. Yes. Come on. I know that when I first read it, the it the first for some reason that came to my mind was, "Oh, I think this guy wears red crocs." I don't I don't know if I can play this character or get let me at it. No, I'm like I want some Crocs. No, I knew immediately that I wanted to let me at 'em. I want 'em. I want to play 'em. But it's a fine line. I want I don't want the guy to be like a hipster in any way.

Young Hollywood

I see I'm so not I'm I'm I'm past that point that I don't know what's hipster or not. But that makes you cool.

Paul Rudd

No, I don't think it does. I think the t-like that's a nice thing to say but I don't I really don't think it does make me cool. I think it just makes me like, "Oh, you know what? I'm now I'm I I crested the the thing. I'm now too old."

Young Hollywood

Before you were an actor, weren't you a ham glazer?

Paul Rudd

I glazed hams.

Young Hollywood

How do you glaze hams?

Paul Rudd

I glazed hams.

Young Hollywood

How do you glaze hams?

Paul Rudd

It's uh

Young Hollywood

Is there a skill involved?

Paul Rudd

There is. There's um it's it's it's rhythmic. And uh yeah. No, it's there's there's more to it. Yeah, it's you got and you gotta get it down. And I don't wanna brag or anything but I had the rhythm down. There's a there is a a metal spit. Like a like a that you put a ham on, you put like the ham. And uh and yeah and then there there was a torch, a propane torch that hung

Young Hollywood

So it's dangerous.

Paul Rudd

It is. Yeah, I had to wear plastic wrist guards.

Young Hollywood

Gosh, did you get hurt?

Paul Rudd

I never did but I smelled like ham. For four months. I only did it for about four months. Um but I and it

Young Hollywood

That it was so raw. You probably had women just attracted to you for no apparent reason you're like dogs. Very viscerally. So thank you so much for coming in.

Paul Rudd

Thank you, Young Hollywood. You said you were gonna get closer on the couch and you didn't. You said you were gonna lie down. You said, Young Hollywood. Are we gonna sport the hat? I feel like Kellen Lutz.

Timestamps are approximate — click one to jump the player.

PEOPLE MENTIONED

  • Paul Rudd

    Featured guest, discussing his career and past experiences.

  • Nikki Novak

    Host of the interview at Young Hollywood.

  • Ned

    Paul Rudd's character in the film 'Our Idiot Brother'.

  • Kellan Lutz

    Mentioned by Paul Rudd as a comparison for wearing the hat.

FAQ

What was Paul Rudd's job before becoming an actor?+
Before becoming an actor, Paul Rudd worked as a professional ham glazer for about four months.
What film was Paul Rudd promoting?+
Paul Rudd was promoting his new film 'Our Idiot Brother', where he played the character Ned.
What did Paul Rudd think about his character Ned's wardrobe?+
Paul Rudd considered his character Ned's wardrobe to be his favorite of all time for any character.
What was the initial thought Paul Rudd had about his character's shoes?+
Paul Rudd's initial thought when reading the script was that his character Ned would wear red Crocs.
Was ham glazing a dangerous job?+
Yes, ham glazing was a dangerous job involving a propane torch, requiring plastic wrist guards, and resulting in Paul Rudd smelling like ham for months.
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