Students at a North Jersey high school got the surprise of a lifetime this week when Paul Rudd, film and television star and soon-to-be-certified New Jersey icon, greeted them during a visit to American Dream.
Rudd, whose credits include “Ant-Man,” “Clueless” and “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” met and took a group photo with Union High School students and history teacher Nicholas Ferroni on their class trip to the New Jersey Hall of Fame Entertainment and Learning Center Tuesday. The Passaic-born actor is set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame next month.
“What could make our field trip to the @newjerseyhalloffame Entertainment and Learning Center even better? How about 2024 inductee, Paul Rudd, surprising my students?!” Ferroni wrote in an Instagram post. “And seriously, he really doesn’t age.”
Rudd, 55, was named in July as one of 18 members of the 16th annual New Jersey Hall of Fame class. He was at American Dream this week filming his acceptance speech for the upcoming ceremony recognizing the honorees, which airs Nov. 16 and 17 on MY9/WWOR.
Rudd’s accolades include the 2012 Critics’ Choice Award for best guest performer in a comedy series when he portrayed City Council candidate Bobby Newport in NBC’s “Parks and Recreation.” He has also been nominated for a Golden Globe, for the 2019 Netflix comedy series “Living with Yourself,” and two SAG Awards, in addition to being named People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2021.
Aside from their visit with Rudd, the Union students spent the day exploring the various Hall of Fame exhibits, the school district said on Instagram. Among the other special guests were a pair of former New York Giants players: quarterback Phil Simms, who is part of the 2024 class with Rudd, and center Bart Oates, who was inducted in 2018.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paul Rudd meets Union HS students at NJ Hall of Fame
