Actor Paul Rudd is beloved for so many reasons, and not just because he makes a great Ant-Man and seems never to age. He's also an incredibly kind human. Paul just proved that once again when he uplifted a very sad sixth-grade boy.
Brody Ridder was feeling pretty down in the dumps after finishing up his sixth-grade year at The Academy of Charter Schools in Westminster, Colorado. That's because no one would sign his yearbook, which is well known to be a fun, end-of-the year rite of passage.
The child had been bullied all year long, and the refusal of his classmates to sign his yearbook just felt like one more thing to recover from.
Brody's mom, Cassandra Ridder, posted a picture of her son's signatureless yearbook on Facebook. In it were just a couple of signatures and a note Brody wrote to himself. “Hope you make some more friends – Brody Riddler," it read.
The worried mom was heartbroken at the sight of her son's yearbook. "My poor son," she wrote on Facebook. "Doesn't seem like it's getting any better. 2 teachers and a total of 2 students wrote in his yearbook. Despite Brody asking all kinds of kids to sign it."
"So Brody took it upon himself to write in it himself," she continued. "My heart is shattered. Teach your kids kindness."
Luckily, the post traveled far and wide. It even made it to actor Paul Rudd. When he heard about Brody's year of being bullied and his signatureless yearbook, he reached out to the middle schooler personally. The two had an adorable Facetime call. During it, Paul told Brody that he couldn't wait to talk to him. Then, a few days later, Brody received an autographed Ant-Man helmet from the actor.
"It was great talking to you the other day," Paul wrote to Brody. "It’s important to remember that even when life is tough that things get better. There are so many people that love you and think you’re the coolest kid there is — me being one of them! I can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’re going to accomplish." He signed it, "Your pal, Paul."
On the helmet, Paul also wrote a special note. “To my good friend Brody for when he takes on the world!” He signed it, “Paul Rudd” and “Ant-Man.”
Brody's mom also shared a screenshot on Facebook of a message Brody wrote to Paul. “Your my favorite superhero,” he wrote, to which Paul responded “You’re mine.”
“Guys, more tears,” Cassandra shared, of the sweet gift. “Paul Rudd is an amazing human being. Brody and Paul are on texting terms now.”
After his story went viral, kids started signing his yearbook in droves. He ended up with over 100 signatures. Brody is wisely keeping his guard up, though, telling local media outlets that he has mixed feelings about kids who refused to sign his yearbook, but later did.
In addition to Paul Rudd's support, Brody also received a personal invitation from the cast of Dear Evan Hansen to come see the show on Broadway.
