Ultra-popular American sitcom The Office is NBC's remake of the British show of the same name. The fan favorite ran for 9 seasons, and thanks to its long tenure on Netflix, and now its home on Peacock, it is one of the most streamed television shows of all time.
The Office was almost canceled after its first season, but was given a second season thanks to star Steve Carell’s performance in The 40 Year Old Virgin. The beloved sitcom filmed 188 episodes, and launched the careers of some of the most recognized sitcom stars today. Other than Carell, who was the most famous cast member before it first aired?
16 Jenna Fischer
American actress Jenna Fischer is best known for her Office character Pam Beasley. Fischer found success through her part in The Office, and went on to have a film career. Fischer ad small roles in various projects, but was not cast in any major roles until The Office.
15 John Krasinski
Best known for his role as Jim Halpert on The Office, John Krasinski only had small roles before landing his famed role. Krasinski, along with Fischer, gave life to one of the most iconic sitcom relationships. Now married to Emily blunt, Krasinski has gone on to star in blockbuster movies, and has dabbled in directing as well.
14 Rainn Wilson
Rainn Wilson was a struggling actor before starring as Dwight Schrute, paper salesman and beet farmer, in The Office. Post-sitcom, Wilson wrote a memoir, and founded SoulPancake, a digital platform that introduced Kid President into the world.
13 Leslie David Baker
Best known for his Office character Stanley Hudson, Leslie David Baker taught special education and acted in commercials in Chicago before moving to Los Angeles to begin his acting career.
12 Brian Baumgartner
Brian Baumgartner is an actor and comedian who played Kevin Malone on The Office. Baumgartner had small roles in television shows such as Arrested Development before landing his spot on the cast of The Office. Baumgartner has had roles in films, too, since the sitcom ended.
11 Angela Kinsey
Angela Kinsey’s career took off thanks to her portrayal of Angela Martin, the uptight accountant and eventual wife to Dwight Schrute. Kinsey was a struggling actor before finding fame on The Office. She now hosts a podcast called Office Ladies with former co-star Jenna Fischer, where the two recant stories from their days filming The Office.
10 Kate Flannery
Before playing Meredith Palmer on The Office, Kate Flannery was working as a comedian. Flannery was a member of the iconic comedy troupe Second City, which is responsible for launching the careers of some of today’s most famous comedians.
9 Phyllis Smith
Phyllis Smith, who played Phyllis Vance, saleswoman and wife to Bob Vance, was a casting associate when she was offered her role on The Office. She continued her acting career by taking roles in various films after The Office ended.
8 Creed Bratton
Actor Creed Bratton played The Office character of the same name, a mysterious quality assurance representative who was manager for two episodes. Bratton is also a musician who has been in the folk band Grass Roots since the ‘60s.
7 Oscar Nunez
Oscar Nunez is best known for his role as accountant Oscar Martinez on The Office. Nunez had lots of small roles before landing his role on The Office, and went on to have a film career afterward.
