Paul Rudd is now known best for his role as Ant-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, however, fans of FRIENDS know him best for playing Lisa Kudrow’s on-screen partner, Mike Hannigan. Despite only being in a handful of episodes in the hit TV show, Rudd quickly became a favorite of many and continues to be one of the most beloved ‘green flag’ characters of all time.
Paul Rudd as Ant-Man | Marvel Studios
However, the actor revealed years after the end of the show that he thought he would be fired on his first day at shoot after hurting co-star Jennifer Aniston very badly.
When Paul Rudd Hurt an Already Injured Jennifer Aniston on FRIENDS
Paul Rudd with Lisa Kudrow in Friends | NBC
Paul Rudd‘s Mike Hannigan was only introduced in the last of the hit NBC show, FRIENDS. Having appeared in only a few episodes of the show, the actor’s character is now an indispensable part of FRIENDS, and fans of the show would find it hard to imagine the tale without him. Such was his popularity that his character was written in a few more episodes despite being slated to appear in only a few.
But before he could portray Phoebe Buffay’s partner, Rudd revealed in an interview, that he was almost fired from the show on his first day at the shoot. In an appearance on the Graham Norton Show (via Mirror), the Marvel star revealed,
I was on the set for my first episode, and Jennifer was on a Segway because she had broken her toe, and everyone was marveling at it. Matt LeBlanc asked to have a go and immediately knew how to do it.
Impressed by his co-star’s antics, Rudd too wanted to try out the Segway, however he instead ended up injuring Jennifer Aniston further.
I then asked to try it too. I spun round and rolled it right over Jennifer’s foot! The producers look of panic was if to say, ‘Is it too late to fire him? Has his character been established yet?’ I felt awful. Such an inauspicious start.
Fortunately for him, Aniston quickly took control and resolved the situation despite being in severe pain (via The Howard Stern Show). Rudd and Aniston, at that point, already knew each other and were briefly rumored to be in a relationship, yet that did not keep Aniston from helping out her friend even though she got injured by his antics.
Paul Rudd Believes He Wasn’t Supposed to Be in the Last Episode of FRIENDS
Paul Rudd along with the rest of the cast in FRIENDS | NBC
Paul Rudd is now an integral part of FRIENDS and it is hard to imagine the show without his cute and charming character. Yet, Rudd does not believe he deserved to be in the last episode of the show since he was unable to reciprocate the feelings and the attachment the lead stars had with the sitcom.
While on The Graham Norton Show, Rudd had stated,
The show was a phenomenon and I was in the very last episode, which made no sense to me whatsoever.
Seeing his co-stars cry and get emotional, Rudd, too, tried to join in but ruined the moment with his humorous side.
I was on the sound stage and I’d see Jennifer Aniston crying … and I thought, ‘I’m not supposed to be here,’ so to break the ice I went over and said, ‘Well, we did it, what a ride.’ [The] jokes inevitably fell flat.
While he may have felt that he did not belong on the set that day, there is no denying that Paul Rudd’s portrayal of Mike Hannigan added depth and warmth to the FRIENDS series. The chemistry between Rudd and the rest of the cast was undeniable, and fans have made it clear enough over the years that his presence was truly valued in the show.
FRIENDS can be streamed on Netflix.
