Paul Rudd Praises Jenna Ortega's 'Level of Coolness': 'There's So Much Depth to Her' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

From Left: Paul Rudd; and Jenna Ortega.Photo:Andy Wenstrand/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty; John Nacion/Variety via Getty

Paul Rudd at the “Death of a Unicorn” Premiere; Jenna Ortega at SNL50

Andy Wenstrand/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty; John Nacion/Variety via Getty

Jenna Ortega’s coolness has been verified.

“I just was, and still am, always amazed at her level of coolness,” Rudd, 55, told PEOPLE. “It’s very real. She’s very bright. She’s funny, and there’s so much depth to her as a person and her talent.”

The two star as a father-daughter pair who accidentally run over the titular mythical creature while driving to visit a group that includesWill Poulter,Téa LeoniandRichard E. Grant.

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Death of a Unicorn - Jessica Hynes, Téa Leoni, Will Poulter, Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Anthony Carrigan

“I enjoyed this experience across the board in every way, but getting to work with Jenna, it was a highlight,” Rudd added.

When told his costars described him as the “class clown on set,” Rudd gave credit to his castmates for being just as funny.

“Will Poulter is really funny and, of course, Richard E. Grant is rarefied air in the funny-incredible-person category,” Rudd said of his fellow MCU stars. “My humor comes out of nervousness, so I was probably just nervous around all of these people and then it just kept kind of spilling out and they thought it might have been funny when it was unintentional nervous.”

The longtime Kansas City Chiefs fan also addressed hisSuper Bowl reaction that went virala month ago, when his favored team lost to the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, Feb. 9.

“Well, we, you know, we got crushed. That was what was going through my head. It’s OK,” he told PEOPLE. “I’m happy for all of those kids. There were a lot of kids in Eagles jerseys hugging their parents who were wearing Eagles jerseys, and having been through that experience with my own kid, I was legitimately happy that they got to have that experience. Because that’s what it’s about, really.”

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Death of a Unicornwill debut in theaters on March 28.

source: people.com