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PAUL RUDD Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for PAUL RUDD
Robert Walden
August 7, 2025
I taught at New School of Drama from 2005-11 and sat in on Paul´s Shakespeare class. 5 different students played Hamlet and 3 were female-the energy, joy, enthusiasm in that small classroom reflected Paul´s spirit and love for theater. Daring, imaginative, and fun. Paul.
Josh Mann
August 7, 2024
I wanted to share some more reflections about Paul. I recently wrote a comedy screenplay inspired by Shakespeare, and Paul's memory kept resurfacing both in the writing of this piece and the acting. I recently performed a reading of it and thought about Paul throughout. He was the best teacher I ever had. A wonderful force of passion, love and inspiration. He also heavily influenced my teaching and I would often tell my students about him. Words cannot truly capture the love and admiration I had for him. May he rest in peace.
Robert Walden
August 7, 2023
Watching Paul directing a wild, spirited, experimental Hamlet with various students playing Hamlet and switching roles from scene to scene, in class stunned me. The energy, pace, enthusiasm of the students loosened my imagination as to how Shakespeare, and all playwrights could be expressed. It has affected me from that time to this day. Paul´s smile and good moods made me jealous and inspired me. You just had to love this man. He was pure and transparent and a lesson to all.
September 12, 2010
A teacher of life -- giving lessons of all kinds to anyone who was ever in his presence. His teaching was in doing and being and the joy of interacting with others. He added so much to so many. He loved the phrase "stand and deliver" when it came to monologues; I have blended that into my own: "experience and express" -- and my teaching is the better for it. To a man who died with more grace and style and poetry, than most people live! His energy is within all who knew him.
Robert Walden
Betsy Sanders
September 11, 2010
Martha,
I have been so blessed to have Paul in my life as a friend, teacher and mentor. He was the finest example of a man who knew how to live life passionately, fully and irreverently all the way to the end. One hundred times he quoted shakespeare, but one million times he spoke of his family, the most important thing in his life.
He left his handprint in my life as an artist, mother and wife.
All my deepest love,
betsy sanders
September 3, 2010
So saddened to hear of Paul's death. We were in Maryknoll together in 1963-64 and it was a privilege to know him. My sympathy to his family. May he rest in peace.
Bill Gilligan, Somerville, MA
Barbara Armata
August 31, 2010
Martha and family,
My condolences on the loss of someone so special.
Regards,
Barbara
Charles Tyler
August 27, 2010
I was in New Zealand when Paul passed and I had no idea he was sufferiing from cancer. I remember Paul so well for his love of and work with Shakespeare during our years in Greenwich in the 1990's in The Terribly Serious Repertory Company for Partially Enabled Adults. I also helped Paul with a summer arts camp for two years. While I had not seen him in recent years, I will miss him lots. He was a good friend and a great professional. My condolences to his wonderful family.
August 26, 2010
I remember Paul well from our days together at Fairfield. He was a campus leader - generous with his time, humble, and always up-beat and smiling. My sympathy to the family. May he rest in peace.
Dan Browne
Dennis Doherty
August 20, 2010
I never met Paul, but when I first came to New York in the late 70's he was everywhere! I saw his Henry V in Central Park, his Gentleman Caller in "Glass Menagerie" - I still have the enormous Paul Davis poster of Paul as Henry, filched from a suburban New Jersey train station.
He was a great actor, and just the sound of his name summons up fond memories of New York City in the late 70's. God bless him.
Bob Perras
August 20, 2010
Paul and I were a formidable force on the Assumption Prep Football Field---I watched his back on the field and he watched mine in the classroom--He took me under his wing and to his home to be nurtured by his Mom--I was a lonely boarder and he was my High School Hero--His kind, nurturing, and generous soul was evident even during those turbulent teen years--I would never had gone on to college, let alone got out of high school, without his guidance and support--I am sure all who were blessed to know him felt his gentle spirit, it is still with me--You never forget your first best friend--
Rest in peace dear Paul--
Freya Bloomer
August 20, 2010
Paul made the world a better place. He was the consumate Pied Piper and my children were followers from to the beach with a ball to the classroom for some Shakespeare. They loved his sense of fun and his Joie de vivre, as do I. He will be sorely missed but his memory lives on. Special love the four left behind.
Edward Bordeau
August 19, 2010
Paul's untimely passing is a great loss to his family and friends. We were dorm counselors at Fordham U in the mid 60's and continued our friendship through several decades as he acquired a well-earned reputation as an accomplished actor on stage, on TV and in the movies. My family and I participated with him in the shooting of "Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye" in Bridgeport, CT. We shared with him his political philosophy and religious views. As many others have observed, his humor and wit always graced our gatherings. I regret that we did not stay in touch more during the last two decades of his life. I know his mother, Martha and the children will miss him greatly but were doubtlessly a comfort to him in his last days.
bill sangiovanni
August 19, 2010
Paul was a great guy and a lot of fun.Spent quality times at Fairfield and post-graduation.he was full of creativity and spirit and had so many talents from the arts to athletics.I shall always rememember him fondly.My codolences to all his family ,know that many are thinking of you and praying for you.
Ron Sullivan
August 18, 2010
I'll always remember Paul's smile and great laugh while we were students at Fairfield. I was proud of his work on TV and the movies. May he rest in peace.
My condolences to his family and loved ones.
Lacy Birdseye
August 18, 2010
Mr. Rudd you will be missed. Was such a honor and pleasure to have met and cared for you. Peace be with you all.
Robert Jenkins
August 18, 2010
I remember Paul as very friendly and outgoing during out time together at Fairfield University. Our prayers are with his family.
Brian Ahearn
August 18, 2010
I was saddened to hear of Paul’s passing. We were classmates at Fairfield and I have many fond memories of him during that time. Having moved around quite a bit, I lost contact except for seeing an occasional write-up about him in some play and saying to friends, “I went to school with him”. The measure of his importance is in the kind words of condolence that I have read from his many friends. May he rest in peace and peace be with his family.
Brian Ahearn- Class of ‘62
Bill Shin
August 18, 2010
I have a lot of good memories of Paul when we were friends and classmates at Fairfield University. A year ago, we re-connected and caught up.
May the peace that comes from the memories of the love your family shared comfort all of you now and in the days ahead.
Our prayers and thoughts are with your family.
August 18, 2010
Paul and I go back to "Charlie and Algernon" days. We got together when I was about to record his lovely song from that show, now all too poignant, "Whatever Time There Is."
I'm so very, very sorry to hear of his passing. Steve Ross, NYC
Joyce and Lee Wilson
August 18, 2010
Our thoughts are with your family at this time of great loss. Paul was a bright light, shared with many, including our daughter Linnea. In Paul's honor we have contributed the pledge that he offered in support of her NYC marathon run, which will benefit Memorial Sloan Kettering hospital's cancer research.
Josh Mann
August 17, 2010
I was one of Paul's students at Sarah Lawrence College. Paul was by far my favorite teacher. He brought such vitality, enthusiasm, intelligence, and passion to teaching Shakespeare. He was more lively than the students! And I always left his class feeling wonderful. Ironically, I was just telling my family about how great he was yesterday, but did not know he passed away until today. He really was an amazing person and teacher, and he brought a lot of positive joy and changes into my life. A truly remarkable man who I will always remember with such delight and admiration.
Linda Layman
August 16, 2010
Paul was my first friend in Greenwich. He was totally different from anyone I'd ever met before and I loved his energy and enthusiasm for all aspects of life. He and I swapped child care when our children were young. He would take my son, Robby, one week and I would watch Eliza the next. Our children were good friends and we had many talks over coffee or making dinner while they played. We kept in touch and frequently ran into each other in town. Many times we blocked the aisle of the grocery store while catching up on each other's lives. My deepest sympathy to Martha, Graeme, Kathryn, Eliza and his mother, Kathryn.
Jim Morrissey
August 16, 2010
My deepest sympathy to Paul's mother, wife and children. He was a good friend and classmate at Maryknoll, class of '66. I remember to this day his role in 'Johnny we hardly knew ya.'
Tony Moore
August 16, 2010
Paul was my dormitory councilor at Fordham University where he was a graduate student around 1964 before moving to acting . I saw him play the Gentlemen Caller in 1975 and went back stage to congratulate him. He was very gracious. I never forgot him and was trying to learn what became of him. It was a shock to read his obituary in the NY Times. I am happy to know his life was filled with joy and love but sad to know he is now gone. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Tony Moore, Fordham University, 1966
Jim Rhatigan
August 16, 2010
...an American original. I knew him for over 50 years and never met anyone like him. A painful loss to everyone who knew him.
Jim Rhatigan, Fairfield 1962
August 15, 2010
When we were children in the 1950s, I had the privilege of having Paul as a friend and neighbor for a few years in New Hampshire. As a community theater actor myself, it thrilled me to see someone I once knew achieve such a high level of success. He seems to have had a rich and fulfilling life on both the personal and professional levels. It's unfortunate that he died too soon. My condolences tp his wife and children and to his mother.
Jeff Newick, Yarmouth, Maine
August 15, 2010
When we were children in the 1950s, I had the privilege of having Paul as a friend and neighbor for a few years in New Hampshire. As a community theater actor myself, it thrilled me to see someone I once knew achieve such a high level of success. He seems to have had a rich and fulfilling life on both the personal and professional levels. It's unfortunate that he died too soon. My condolences to his wife and children and to his mother.
Jeff Newick, Yarmouth, Maine
Margret Seema Takyar
August 15, 2010
Paul Rudd was a beautiful force in my life and a light.
He was a great teacher and a friend and truly a unique person and will remain so always in my thoughts.
My deepest sympathy to his family.
John Mercier
August 15, 2010
In my thoughts and prayers. John Mercier Assumption Prep 1958
Milton Jacoby
August 15, 2010
Paul was one of the most creative people I knew at Fairfield University. He loved to experiment with different approaches to acting. I had the honor of playing piano for him a couple of times. I just had my 70th birthday party a few weeks ago - I keep praying for good health. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Milton Jacoby '62
Karen Grinthal
August 15, 2010
So sad to hear this news. Paul was such a warm, caring and funny person. Martha, My deepest sympathies are with you and your children.
Diane Mott
August 15, 2010
I was privileged to be a friend and neighbor of Paul's. My memories of our book club meetings are very special to me. He attracted interesting people and viewpoints his entire life. This is a sad loss for us and his family. Love to Martha, Graeme, Kathryn, and Eliza.
Bruce Winston
August 15, 2010
I had the opportunity to see Paul in his early theatrical career in the Long Wharf Theatre's production of "The National Health" and then many years later in the Lincoln Center production of David Rabe's play, "Streamers." He was an amazing actor, with a twinkle in his eye. I have thought about his performances on stage and on television in the short lived series he did,"Beacon Hill," for many years and wondered whatever became of him. I resented the fact that there was a new actor with the same name. When I read yesterday that Paul had died, I, at last, was able to learn what happened to him after he gave up acting; but I wish he didn't have to die for me to find out.
My sincere condolences to his grieving family.
Danielle & Kevin Treuberg
August 15, 2010
Farewell to a great teacher, actor and friend. We will miss you Paul and your ever present passion and energy for everything around you!
Kathy Rossetter
August 15, 2010
A loss to the theatre and his students, friends and family! But he will live on in the lives he changed through his mentorship and loving care.
August 14, 2010
Paul was the rare artist and most of all a humanist whose empathy and talents he shared in his teaching and his performances. Students he worked with were always changed by his love of language and passion. My deepest thoughts to all his family.Shirley Kaplan
Mikaela Lynn Johnson
August 14, 2010
Paul's passion for life, language, the theatre and his family carry his legacy far past where death can go. I mourn the loss of his physical presence, but take comfort in the knowledge that every time I go onstage, he will be there. My very deepest condolences for his beloved family, you are loved.
August 14, 2010
I am so saddened by Paul's death. But he had such a grip on the whole situation! And an optimism that was/is beyond remarkable! He is my cousin, and I so enjoyed 'conversing' via email. I looked forward to messages from him. A remarkable man, with a remarkable family. That's all I can say.
Brynne Kraynak
August 14, 2010
Wherever there is joy, music, love, and wicked heartfelt laughter, there is Paul! How I will miss my teacher and friend. My sincere condolences.
Bi Jean Ngo
August 14, 2010
Paul was an amazing teacher. His passion, energy, kindness, and love of language will always inspire me.
Katherine Mott
August 14, 2010
Paul was a wonderful friend and neighbor. He was so sweet to me as a little kid, and as I grew up. I have so many fond memories of him, I can't believe we've lost him already. This is a greater loss than I can say.
Detra Payne
August 13, 2010
Paul Rudd, a fantastic man of art. He gave so we could give, I am blessed to have been in his presence. Until we meet again, rest, rest, rest, dance, dance, dance and laugh, laugh, laugh, :-)
Matthew Kelty
August 13, 2010
What a fiercely intelligent, endlessly creative, forthright, charming, loving man. We are all poorer for this loss. My deepest condolences.
Rebecca (ASDS/New School)
August 13, 2010
One of the greatest teachers I ever had the fortune and pleasure to know. Thank you, Paul, for all you gave. "Farewell...If we do meet again, why, we shall smile." ~ Julius Ceasar, act V, sc. i
Joshua Peters
August 13, 2010
He was so passionate, funny, and full of joy. He was an inspiration.
Kenny Sanders
August 13, 2010
A kind, delightful, gentle human being. So brilliant, so insightful, so warm. So missed
Linda K
August 13, 2010
Peace be with you.
machugh douglas
August 13, 2010
Paul brought joy and passion to SLC in the time he was there, he was such a passionate, intelligent, insightful man and friend to many fortunate people...he will be greatly missed
Ben Fast
August 13, 2010
Great, inspiring teacher. He ran a summer camp I attended. Amazing energy and passion in all his work. I remember he told me how much he loved Eminem. Funny. He will be missed.
August 13, 2010
"We have all lost an authentic friend and man of the people. Paul's passionate advocacy what what is right was and will be a constant reminder to stand up and be counted. Paul always did so.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Martha, Graeme, Kathryn and Eliza."
Jim/Sally (Woodbridge,CT)
Colin Fisher
August 13, 2010
Paul was by far one of my favorite teachers at the New School. His excitement and love for Shakespeare was infectious, and he cared so much for all his students. He will be missed.
Andrew Montgomery
August 13, 2010
I met him once, not long ago, and was so pleased to have done so. But I knew him mostly through the stories of one of his students. He touched my life - simply through her stories - more profoundly than I can say.
Peter Van Norden
August 13, 2010
I was lucky enough to do two shows with Paul in NY. He was a warm, friendly, always enormously supportive presence...and he will be dearly missed, but not forgotten.
Katie Carroll
August 13, 2010
My deepest sympathy for your loss, dear Martha and family.
Charlotte Lipson
August 13, 2010
Paul was a warm and loving friend with a brilliant mind. His passions for the theater, for politics and above all for his family made him a joy to be around. He was one of the most vital, alive, fun-loving and happy people I have ever had the privilege to know.
August 13, 2010
A wonderful actor who left the theatre and this world much too soon.
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