Paul Rudd gets pretty, swipes at Jay Leno for GQ’s comedy issue

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Paul Rudd can’t go to “Dinner for Schmucks” looking like any ol’ thing.

With the help of GQ magazine and photographer Terry Richardson, the actor, whose comedy with Steve Carell opens July 30, gets spruced up as part of the mag’s annual comedy issue.

“I’ve never considered myself to be too much of a comedian ... ,” Rudd admits. “I just lucked out and got to work with some really funny people, and somehow have been able to parlay it into a lot of comedies.”

He does have some opinions on what gets a laugh -- like how he’d make “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” funnier.

“Hire Conan,” Rudd said.

Richardson also captures funnymen Tracy Morgan and Zach Galifianakis, who discussed their own brands of humor.

“Cool is the enemy of funny. You can’t be cool and be funny at the same time. Only Eddie Murphy could do that,” Morgan said.

As the male lead on Tina Fey‘s “30 Rock,” Morgan gives Murphy a run for his money with signature moves like exposing his belly -- something Galifianakis has profited from as well.

“I used to be really cute. I could send you earlier photos where I’m stunning. But I’ve gained about 20 pounds over the past two years, and the more weight I’ve put on, the more success I’ve had,” Galifianakis said.

— Matt Donnelly

Related dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip:

Gwyneth Paltrow tells Vogue that her new cookbook salutes her father

Angelina Jolie opens up about Brad Pitt, kids and retirement to Vanity Fair

Lady Gaga gets the Rolling Stone treatment ‘Eclipse’ star Jack Huston on knife-wielding fans, dating Cat Deeley

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