Only Murders in the Building Season 5: Why does the LESTER robot sound familiar? Here’s who voiced it

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 might have killed off Lester, but his legacy is being continued with a new doorman, a robot, aptly named LESTER, which stands for Logic-Engineered Secure Tenant Robot.

While the reboot made his first appearance in the fourth episode of the season, the credits did not mention who was voicing the robot. Meanwhile, the voice sounded familiar to a large section of the audience, which left everyone wondering who plays the LESTER robot in Only Murders in the Building Season 5.

The answer is Paul Rudd. Yes, the actor has once again become a part of the show after making appearances in Seasons 2, 3, and 5. Keep reading to find out more about Paul Rudd’s voice role in the series.

Paul Rudd is the voice behind the LESTER robot in Only Murders in the Building Season 5

The creators did not credit Paul Rudd in Only Murders in the Building Season 5, as they wanted to keep his role a surprise. After the fourth episode aired, co-creator John Hoffman had an interview with TV Line, in which he confirmed that Paul has returned to the show in a new avatar.

Since Season 2, the makers have always found a way to bring the actor into the series. He debuted the role of fictional Hollywood actor Ben Glenroy in Seasons 2 and 3. After the character was killed off, Paul played Glenroy’s stunt double, Glen Stubbins, in Season 4.

Now, after Stubbins’ death, he is once again back in the series, albeit not physically. And considering his track record, LESTER the robot might also end up facing a tragic fate by the end of Only Murders in the Building Season 5.

During the interview, John Hoffman revealed that it was not always their plan to have Paul voice the robot. Instead, most of the season was shot with a different voice actor. As they reached the end, they realized that Paul’s voice would suit the character, and hence reached out to him. Hoffman said:

"It was only after we had a couple of different versions of that robot voice, and we ran with [one of them] for most of the shooting season. Thankfully, you don't ever see the person, so you can change the voice — and we did at the very, very end.”

He added:

“When we were shooting Episode 9, I called Paul up and I said, 'OK, so we discussed, and there's no way we can give you anything else, but we have a thought....' And the best man in the world said, 'When do I come and when do I do that?’”

Hoffman also disclosed that the team was actively looking for ways to bring Paul back to continue the repetitive joke, and after Ben Glenroy and Glen Stubbins, having him as the robot LESTER's voice made the most sense.

Trending

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 continues the journey of Charles-Haden Savage, Oliver Putnam, and Mabel Mora, the podcast lovers who investigate murders at their high-end residential building. The show stars Steve Martin as Charles, Martin Short as Oliver, Selena Gomez as Mabel, and Michael Cyril Creighton as Howard Morris.

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 is streaming on Hulu.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback