Paul Rust


Paul Robert Rust is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He starred in the 2009 film I Love You, Beth Cooper, and in the Netflix series Love.

Early life

Rust was born in Le Mars, Iowa, the son of Jeanne and Bob Rust. His family is of German heritage, and Rust was raised Roman Catholic and attended Gehlen Catholic High School. His mother was a teacher at Le Mars Community High School, and his father owned a Western goods and boot-repair shop. He graduated from the University of Iowa in May 2004.
Rust struggled with OCD in his youth.

Career

Rust is best known as a stand-up and sketch comedian at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Los Angeles. At UCB, he is currently a member of the sketch comedy group A Kiss from Daddy and improv team Last Day of School. He has appeared in films such as Inglourious Basterds, Ass Backwards, Freak Dance, Paper Heart and Semi-Pro. He made his most high-profile acting role in the summer of 2009, playing the male lead in the comedy film I Love You, Beth Cooper alongside Hayden Panettiere. Rust has written for television programs such as Human Giant and Moral Orel.
In November 2010, Rust appeared in the Comedy Central sketch comedy special This Show Will Get You High, created by and starring Matt Besser. He and Paul Reubens co-wrote the Pee-Wee Herman film Pee-wee's Big Holiday, which was released in 2016.
Rust appears as a frequent guest on the Comedy Bang! Bang! podcast, where he is best known for his "New No-Nos" segment. He has written for IFC's Comedy Bang! Bang! and also worked as a writer and story editor on the revived for Netflix fourth season of Arrested Development in 2013.
Rust starred in the Judd Apatow-produced Netflix series Love alongside Gillian Jacobs. He co-created the show with his wife, Lesley Arfin.
Rust and comedian Charlyne Yi formed the band The Glass Beef in 2006. The two appeared together in a video for "Song Away" by Hockey. He is also the lead singer and bass player in the comedy rock duo Don't Stop or We'll Die with fellow comedian Michael Cassady. Until his death, the band also featured Harris Wittels on drums.

Personal life

Rust married comedy writer and author Lesley Arfin in October 2015. They have a daughter born in 2017.

Filmography

Film

Television

Discography

;Albums
;EPs