Ben Glenroy was a charismatic yet deeply flawed character in the series Only Murders in the Building, portrayed by Paul Rudd. He made his debut as a guest character in Season 2 and became a central figure in Season 3. Cast in Oliver Putnam’s Broadway play Death Rattle, Ben’s sudden death during the show’s premiere became the main mystery of the season. His complex personality, marked by insecurities and past conflicts, played a crucial role in the unfolding drama surrounding his tragic demise.

Trivia/Facts

• Ben Glenroy was a popular actor who played a major role in Only Murders in the Building Season 3. He was cast in Oliver Putnam’s show Death Rattle, where he performed alongside Charles-Haden Savage. Ben died during the play’s premiere, and his death became the central mystery of Season 3. The character was portrayed by Paul Rudd.
• When Ben was just eight years old, he was cast in the popular TV series Brazzos. However, Charles-Haden Savage had him fired after the first table read. This incident left a lasting mark on Ben, contributing to his antagonistic personality. Many years later, Ben found himself acting opposite Charles in Oliver’s new play.

Steve Martin and Paul Rudd in Only Murders in the Building (2021)

• Ben had a difficult relationship with his brother Dickie, who was also his manager. During the first read-through of the play, Ben arrived late and blamed Dickie for taking them to the wrong place. Ben had hired Tobert to document his Broadway debut, insisting on NDAs from everyone involved. Ben’s behavior caused friction with other cast members, including an incident where he tried to get actress Loretta Durkin fired.
• Ben often struggled with feelings of insecurity and self-doubt while preparing for the play. He worked hard to overcome his challenges, with Oliver Putnam giving him personal guidance. Charles eventually praised Ben’s performance, but Ben misunderstood it as mockery due to their past conflict. This confusion made Ben reflect on his insecurities even more.

Paul Rudd in Only Murders in the Building (2021)

• The night before the opening performance, Ben stayed up late making personalized handkerchiefs for the cast as a goodwill gesture. He was determined to make amends for his poor treatment of the crew. Despite being exhausted, he rushed to the theater for the big night. After arriving, he had a heated argument with his brother and other cast members, which escalated tensions further.
• Shortly before the play began, Ben had an argument with Charles backstage, where Charles accused him of something related to Loretta. This fight left Ben rattled, but he went on stage for the opening anyway. Ben collapsed on stage, seemingly dead, but doctors revived him after pumping his stomach. He was later informed that he had ingested rat poison.

Linda Emond, Paul Rudd, and Wesley Taylor in Only Murders in the Building (2021)

• After being revived, Ben had a moment of reflection, realizing he had wronged many people. He went to the after-party to apologize to his fellow cast members. However, during a phone call, Ben was informed that the poison he had ingested might have come from a cookie he ate backstage. This revelation led to a confrontation with Cliff, who had offered the cookies.
• The argument between Ben and Cliff turned physical, leading to a tragic end. In the heat of the moment, Cliff pushed Ben into an open elevator shaft. Ben fell to his death, marking a shocking twist in the season’s mystery. His death became the central focus of the investigation in Season 3.

Ben Glenroy’s Relationship with Other Characters

• Dickie Glenroy (Brother and Agent): Dickie was Ben’s older brother and lifelong agent. Though they seemed close growing up, their relationship became strained as Ben often took Dickie for granted. Dickie resented Ben for getting all the attention and taking credit for his childhood comic CoBro. On the night Ben died, Dickie wanted to quit being Ben’s manager, which hurt Ben deeply, but they still cared for each other.
• Charles-Haden Savage (Co-star): Ben and Charles had a rocky relationship, especially as they worked together on Oliver’s play. They argued backstage before the play’s premiere, with Ben wanting an apology from Charles. Charles warned Ben to stay away from a mysterious “her,” creating more tension between them. Despite their conflict, there was an underlying complexity in their interactions.

Paul Rudd in Only Murders in the Building (2021)