Steve Carell has recalled that Paul Rudd was initially considered for the lead role in the 2005 comedy *The 40-Year-Old Virgin*, before Carell ultimately secured the part that helped establish him as a major film star. The role became pivotal to Carell’s career, arriving shortly before *The Office* made him widely known on television and turning him into a leading comic actor in Hollywood.

Carell co-wrote the film with director Judd Apatow, developing it from a sketch he had performed. Rudd, who was already better known at the time, reportedly advised Carell to take the opportunity, telling him: “Don’t do it, man” in a jokingly discouraging way; Carell later interpreted the comment as Rudd recognising the part was right for him. The film was a commercial and critical success, grossing about $177 million worldwide from a budget of roughly $26 million.