Paul Rudd is looking back on an unforgettable celebrity encounter from long before he became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars. During a recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, the actor shared a hilarious story about meeting legendary singer Neil Diamond while working as a DJ in Los Angeles in his early twenties.nBefore becoming known for films like Clueless, Ant-Man and Avengers: Endgame, Rudd spent weekends DJing weddings, birthdays, bar mitzvahs and other events to earn extra money while he was still in school.
One particular party, however, stands out above all the others.
Rudd recalled working at a birthday celebration where Diamond happened to be among the guests. While excited to see the music icon in attendance, the actor admitted he spent most of the evening feeling nervous.
“I was very aware that Neil Diamond was there,” Rudd said, explaining that he finally worked up the courage to introduce himself.
According to the actor, Diamond was sitting alone at a table when he approached and politely asked whether he was enjoying the party.
The singer reportedly responded with a serious but friendly, “Yes, yes I am.”
That exchange inspired Rudd to make a joke that would lead to an even better response.
Referencing Wang Chung’s hit song Everybody Have Fun Tonight, which he believes was playing at the event, Rudd asked, “Well, more importantly, are you Wanging Chung tonight?”
Without missing a beat, Diamond allegedly looked at him and replied, “Well, I try and Wang Chung every night.”
The response left a lasting impression on Rudd, who described the interaction as a flawless celebrity encounter.
“It was a perfect run-in. It was great,” he said.
Host Seth Meyers agreed, joking that it would be difficult for a conversation with Neil Diamond to go any better than that.
The lighthearted story quickly became one of the highlights of the interview, offering fans a glimpse into Rudd’s life before fame and proving that even Hollywood stars can still get starstruck.
While Rudd may not consider himself a great DJ, he joked that it was the perfect side job during his younger years because it allowed him to work weekends while pursuing acting.
And thanks to one quick joke and an even quicker comeback from Neil Diamond, it also gave him one of the best celebrity stories of his career.