- Lestz served as chairman of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in July 2004.
- Former president of Paramount Pictures' Studio Group, he helped modernize the storied lot on Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. The original lot opened on 26 acres with four sound stages at a cost of $1 million in 1926. Lestz served as studio group president from 1983-2004, and under his leadership the studio's lot--now 65 acres--underwent major renovations and development. More than 1.3 million square feet of new facilities were added, including office buildings, parking structures and videotape and post-production facilities; sound stages were renovated; and a child-care center--a first for any Hollywood studio--was launched.
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