WARNING: The following contains SPOILERS for Rick and Morty season 5, episode 5, "Amortycan Grickfitti."
The voice of Bruce Chutback in Rick and Morty likely sounds familiar: he's played by a notable actor many would recognize from his other TV roles. Rick and Morty season 5, episode 5, "Amortycan Grickfitti" follows the exploits of Morty and Summer as they try to befriend the mysterious new kid in school: Bruce Chutback. After Morty invites the teen over, Morty and Summer make it their mission to get him on their side — at any cost. The teens take Rick's ship for an ill-advised joyride, spoofing various '80s pop culture tropes in the process.
The Adult Swim animated series often features celebrities in notable guest roles, such as Christina Hendricks playing Unity, or Susan Sarandon providing the voice for family therapist Dr. Wong. So far, Rick and Morty season 5 has been full of guest stars: Michelle Buteau, Kyle Mooney, Christina Ricci, and Keith David all appeared in the action-packed episode 4, while Steve Buscemi, Jennifer Coolidge and Alison Brie appeared in Rick and Morty episode 3.
Rick and Morty season 5, episode 5 features a notable guest star: Darren Criss in the role of Bruce Chutback. Although he doesn't get many lines, Bruce's presence is a key component of the story, as winning his approval is the primary motivation for Morty and Summer's actions. Chutback is new and exciting, making him a social target for Morty and Summer; however, as episode 5's post-credits scene reveals, Chutback has his own flaws. Although in many ways he's playing against type, the cool teen boy is a perfect fit for Criss, who first rose to prominence in a similar role on the popular TV series Glee.
Criss is a longtime actor, musician and songwriter whose breakout role was as Blaine Anderson on Glee. During season 2, Blaine was introduced to be a mentor figure for the main character Kurt Hummel; however, Blaine resonated with fans, and eventually, he and Kurt became one of the series' primary couples. It's no wonder why: as Blaine, Criss was effortlessly cool, yet also sweet and genuine. In many ways the complete opposite of Rick and Morty season 5 character Bruce Chutback, Blaine was likable because he was such a kind, loving, and unapologetically real character.
After Glee ended, Criss continued to work with Ryan Murphy (who created Glee, as well as several other hit TV series). Criss impressed critics with his turn as serial killer Andrew Cunanan in Murphy's The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. More recently, Criss played the character Raymond Ainsley in Netflix's miniseries Hollywood. It's unclear what Chut's future is in Rick and Morty, but if Criss does return to reprise the character, audiences will get to see how he's adjusted to the new school (and if Morty and Summer won him over after all).