Packed with Laughs: Murder in the Building Season 3 Delivers Hilarious Paul Rudd Moments

Beware: Spoilers are revealed ahead for episodes 1 & 2 of season 3 of Only Murders in the Building! With the arrival of Paul Rudd in Only Murders in the Building season 3, the show on Hulu wastes no time in playfully referencing an ongoing joke surrounding the popular Hollywood actor. Alongside the renowned actress Meryl Streep, Rudd joins as one of the new and notable regulars for this comedy-drama. Known for his extensive acting career that began in the early '90s, Rudd is perhaps most recognized by younger audiences for his portrayal of Ant-Man in the MCU.

In Only Murders in the Building season 3, Rudd takes on the role of Ben Glenroy. Although his character made an appearance at the end of season 2, Rudd's portrayal becomes central in the new season as it delves into the mystery surrounding Ben's murder. Discovering the identity of the person who killed Rudd's character becomes the main focus of the latest installment, driving the investigation conducted by Mabel (Selena Gomez), Charles (Steve Martin), and Oliver (Martin Short), who are residents of Arconia. Interestingly, Ben is also a fellow resident of Arconia and has connections with the three amateur sleuths. Notably, Ben is the star of Oliver's new Broadway production, in which Charles is also involved. Additionally, Mabel has been a longtime fan of Ben since her younger years, adding a cleverly self-referential joke to Rudd's participation in the show.

Only Murders In The Building Season 3 Jokes About Paul Rudd's Lack Of Aging

In the premiere of Only Murders in the Building season 3, Mabel admits that her interest in Oliver's stage production is influenced by Ben's involvement, as she has been a devoted fan since his role in Girl Cop. After Ben's passing, Mabel imagines a conversation with the deceased in "The Beat Goes On," where they discuss their feelings. Mabel expresses her sense of being lost in life, to which Rudd's character responds by sharing his own similar experience, referencing his portrayal of a high school senior at the age of 31 in Girl Cop. This reference serves as a playful critique of Hollywood's tendency to cast older actors as teenagers and highlights Rudd's seemingly ageless appearance.

The line not only pokes fun at the practice of casting older actors in teenage roles, but also plays into the widespread belief that Rudd does not age like a typical person. It has become an ongoing joke in Hollywood that the actor looks almost identical to how he did decades ago, with even the MCU hinting at his immortality. At 54 years old, Rudd clearly embraces this joke, as evidenced by Only Murders in the Building season 3's portrayal of Ben's self-awareness regarding perceptions of age and actors.

How Only Murders In The Building Makes Paul Rudd's Age Joke Even Funnier

The Paul Rudd age joke shows no signs of slowing down, thanks to his youthful appearance. Only Murders in the Building season 3 takes it a step further and makes it even funnier. Ben, in an attempt to cheer up Mabel, remains in character as Girl Cop. Sporting light jeans, white sneakers, and frosted tips, Rudd fully embraces his Girl Cop persona, a teenager played by a 31-year-old. In reality, this scene and any Girl Cop footage features an actor in his mid-fifties portraying a teenager.

If there was ever an actor in Hollywood who could convincingly play a teenager in their fifties, it would be Paul Rudd. While portraying the confident Hollywood star, Ben, Rudd adds an extra amusing twist by also playing Ben as the Girl Cop in Mabel's visions. It only takes until episode 2 of Only Murders in the Building season 3 to poke fun at Paul's age and appearance, but it's likely not the last time.

New episodes of Only Murders in the Building season 3 release Tuesdays on Hulu.