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{{Actor
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{{Castcrew|
  
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|Actor =B.J. Novak
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|image=[[Image:BJnovak.jpg|200px]]
  
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|image =[[File:4FDADB18-558A-4415-BB65-2C13C214D3F3.jpeg|thumb]]
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|name=B.J. Novak
  
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|caption =
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|job=Actor ([[Ryan Howard]]); <br>Writer
  
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|character =[[Ryan Howard]]
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}}
  
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|dateofbirth =July 31, 1979
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|placeofbirth =Newton, Massachusetts, USA
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|imdb =nm1145983
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}}'''Benjamin Joseph Manaly “B.J.” Novak''' (born July 31, 1979) is an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States American] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actor actor], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand-up_comedian stand-up comedian], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screenwriter screenwriter], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_director director]. He is best known for being a writer and co-executive producer for and playing the role of [http://theoffice.wikia.com/wiki/Ryan_Howard Ryan Howard] on the US version of ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_%28U.S._TV_series%29 The Office]''. He is also known to international audiences for appearing in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Tarantino Quentin Tarantino] film ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inglourious_Basterds Inglourious Basterds]''.
   
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==Early life==
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'''B.J. Novak''' plays [[Ryan Howard]] on [[The Office]]. He is also one of the show's writers. He went to Harvard. He went to high school with John Krasinski.
  
  +
Novak was born and raised in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton,_Massachusetts Newton, Massachusetts], the son of Linda and William Novak.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_note-0 [1]]</sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-crimson1_1-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_note-crimson1-1 [2]]</sup> Novak's father co-edited ''The Big Book of Jewish Humor'' and has [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghostwriter ghostwritten] memoirs for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Reagan Nancy Reagan], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Iacocca Lee Iacocca], and others; Novak's parents also established a Jewish matchmaking service.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-latimesref_2-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_note-latimesref-2 [3]]</sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-3">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_note-3 [4]]</sup> Novak has two younger brothers, Jesse and Lev. He attended [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton_South_High_School Newton South High School] with future [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_%28U.S._TV_series%29 Office] costar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Krasinski John Krasinski],<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BG_4-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_note-BG-4 [5]]</sup> and they graduated in 1997.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BG_4-1">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_note-BG-4 [5]]</sup> Novak attended [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_University Harvard University], where he worked for the ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Lampoon Harvard Lampoon]'' and majored in History & Literature. In addition to the ''Lampoon'', he occasionally staged and performed in a variety show called ''The B.J. Show'' with fellow Harvard student [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Averell B. J. Averell].<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BG_4-2">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_note-BG-4 [5]]</sup> Novak wrote his honors thesis on the films of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare Shakespeare's] ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlet Hamlet]''.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-5">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_note-5 [6]]</sup>
   
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==Career==
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==Episodes Written==
  
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Novak graduated from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_University Harvard] in 2001. Afterward he moved to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles Los Angeles] and began working in clubs as a comedian. His first live stand-up performance took place on October 10, 2001 at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood Hollywood] Youth Hostel. He was named one of ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variety_%28magazine%29 Variety's]'' "Ten Comedians To Watch" in 2003.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-CC_6-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_note-CC-6 [7]]</sup>
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*[[Diversity Day]]
  
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*[[Sexual Harassment]]
  
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*[[The Fire]]
  
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*[[Boys and Girls]]
  
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*[[Initiation]]
  
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*[[Safety Training]]
  
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*[[Local Ad]]
  
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*[[Chair Model]]
  
   
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Novak was a writer for the short-lived [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_WB_Television_Network The WB] sitcom ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raising_Dad Raising Dad]''.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BG_4-3">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_note-BG-4 [5]]</sup> He has also performed on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedy_Central Comedy Central]'s ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premium_Blend Premium Blend]'' and on ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Night_with_Conan_O%27Brien Late Night with Conan O'Brien]''.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-CC_6-1">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_note-CC-6 [7]]</sup>
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Novak's television acting career began on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTV MTV]'s ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk%27d Punk'd].'' He was the lead accomplice to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashton_Kutcher Ashton Kutcher] on the show's second season in 2003, and has played pranks on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilary_Duff Hilary Duff], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usher_%28entertainer%29 Usher], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%BDa Mýa].
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After hearing Novak's opening joke at a comedy club, executive producer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Daniels Greg Daniels] immediately decided to include Novak in his upcoming project: a U.S. version of the hit British series ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_%28UK_TV_series%29 The Office]''. Novak was cast as [http://theoffice.wikia.com/wiki/Ryan_Howard Ryan Howard], becoming the first cast member.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BG_4-4">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_note-BG-4 [5]]</sup> He is also a writer and co-executive producer for the series. On July 21, 2010, news reports indicated Novak had signed a contract to remain with the show for its 7th and 8th seasons; under the new terms, he would be made a full executive producer midway through Season 7 and also direct two episodes of the show, as well as becoming the latest cast member to also have a deal with NBC to develop other shows. In a June 2009 interview with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Philadelphia_Inquirer The Philadelphia Inquirer], Novak spoke about sharing the success of ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_%28U.S._TV_series%29 The Office]'' with his [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton_South_High_School Newton South High School] classmate [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Krasinski John Krasinski]:<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-7">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_note-7 [8]]</sup> He has claimed that his all time favorite episode of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_%28U.S._TV_series%29 The Office]" is, "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Injury The Injury]."
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{| class="cquote" style="margin: auto; border-collapse: collapse; border-style: none; background-color: transparent; width: auto;"
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| style="color: rgb(178, 183, 242); font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px;" valign="top" width="20"|“
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| style="padding: 4px 10px;" valign="top"|Sometimes when this feels too good to be true, I think that if this were all a dream, that would be what should have tipped me off. I'd wake up saying, 'I was in this incredible TV show and it was a big hit and the star was John Krasinski from high school. Isn't that weird?'
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| style="color: rgb(178, 183, 242); font-size: 36px; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px;" valign="bottom" width="20"|”
  ⚫
|}
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In addition to his television credits, Novak has appeared in the films ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unaccompanied_Minors Unaccompanied Minors]'', ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reign_Over_Me Reign Over Me]'', ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knocked_Up Knocked Up]'' and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Tarantino Quentin Tarantino]'s ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inglourious_Basterds Inglourious Basterds]''.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-8">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_note-8 [9]]</sup>
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== Filmography==
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As actor
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{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0pt; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(249, 249, 249); border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%;"
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|- align="center" bgcolor="#b0c4de"
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!Year
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!Film
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!Role
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!Notes
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003 2003]
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|''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk%27d Punk'd]''
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|Field Agent
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|TV series
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005 2005]–[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_in_film 2012]
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|''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_%28U.S._TV_series%29 The Office]''
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Howard_%28The_Office%29 Ryan Howard]
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_Actors_Guild_Award_for_Outstanding_Performance_by_an_Ensemble_in_a_Comedy_Series#2000s Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series] (2006, 2007)<br />Nominated: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_Actors_Guild_Award_for_Outstanding_Performance_by_an_Ensemble_in_a_Comedy_Series#2000s Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series] (2008)<br />Nominated: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prism_Awards Prism Award] for Best performance in a Comedy Series (2009)
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_in_film 2006]
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|''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unaccompanied_Minors Unaccompanied Minors]''
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|Flight Attendant
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|
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|-
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| rowspan="2"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_in_film 2007]
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|''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reign_Over_Me Reign Over Me]''
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|Mr. Fallon
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|
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|-
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|''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knocked_Up Knocked Up]''
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|Unnamed Doctor
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|
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_in_film 2009]
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|''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inglourious_Basterds Inglourious Basterds]''
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|Pfc. Smithson Utivich
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_Actors_Guild_Award_for_Outstanding_Performance_by_a_Cast_in_a_Motion_Picture Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture]
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_in_film 2011]
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|''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smurfs_%28film%29 The Smurfs]''
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Smurfs_characters Baker Smurf]
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|
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|}
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=== As writer===
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{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0pt; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(249, 249, 249); border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%;"
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|- align="center" bgcolor="#b0c4de"
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!Year
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!Title
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!Notes
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001 2001]–[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002 2002]
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|''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raising_Dad Raising Dad]''
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|2 episodes
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|-
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| rowspan="1" |[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005 2005]– 2013
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|''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_%28U.S._TV_series%29 The Office]''
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|12 episodes::''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Day Diversity Day]'' (March 29, 2005):''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_Harassment_%28The_Office%29 Sexual Harassment]'' (September 27, 2005):''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fire_%28The_Office%29 The Fire]'' (October 11, 2005):''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boys_and_Girls_%28The_Office%29 Boys and Girls]'' (February 2, 2006):''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initiation_%28The_Office%29 Initiation]'' (October 19, 2006):''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_Training Safety Training]'' (April 12, 2007):''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Ad Local Ad]'' (October 25, 2007):''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chair_Model Chair Model]'' (April 17, 2008):''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Family_Paper Prince Family Paper]'' (January 22, 2009):''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_Team_%28The_Office%29 Dream Team]'' (April 9, 2009)
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:''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Hour_%28The_Office%29 Happy Hour]'' (March 25, 2010)
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:''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counseling_%28The_Office%29 Counseling]'' (September 30, 2010)
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  +
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[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writers_Guild_of_America_Awards_2006#Comedy_Series Writers Guild of America Award for Comedy Series] (2006)<br />Nominated: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writers_Guild_of_America_Awards_2005#Comedy_Series Writers Guild of America Award for a Comedy Series] (2005, 2007, 2008)<br />Nominated: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writers_Guild_of_America_Awards_2005#New_Series Writers Guild of America Award for a New Series] (2005)<br />Nominated: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writers_Guild_of_America_Awards_2005#Episodic_Comedy Writers Guild of America Award for an Episodic Comedy] (2005, 2007)
  +
|}
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===[[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=B._J._Novak&action=edit&section=6 edit]] As director===
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{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0pt; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(249, 249, 249); border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%;"
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|- align="center" bgcolor="#b0c4de"
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!Year
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!Title
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!Notes
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009 2009]
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|''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_%28U.S._TV_series%29 The Office]'' – ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackmail_%28webisodes%29 Blackmail]'' webisode series
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|4 episodes
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009 2009]
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|''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_%28U.S._TV_series%29 The Office]'' – ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott%27s_Tots Scott's Tots]''
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|aired 12/03/09
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|}
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== Awards and nominations==
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{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0pt; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(249, 249, 249); border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%;"
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|- style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(176, 196, 222);"
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!Year
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!Group
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!Award
  +
!Won
  +
!Film/Television series
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|-
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| rowspan="3"|2005
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| rowspan="3"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writers_Guild_of_America_Awards Writers Guild of America Awards]
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writers_Guild_of_America_Awards_2005#New_Series New Series]
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| style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 221, 221);"|No
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| rowspan="13"|''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_%28U.S._TV_series%29 The Office]''
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|-
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writers_Guild_of_America_Awards_2005#Episodic_Comedy Episodic Comedy] - for episode ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Day_%28The_Office_episode%29 Diversity Day]''
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| style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 221, 221);"|No
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|-
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writers_Guild_of_America_Awards_2005#Comedy_Series Comedy Series]
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| style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 221, 221);"|No
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|-
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| rowspan="3"|2006
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_Actors_Guild_Awards Screen Actors Guild Awards]
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_Actors_Guild_Award_for_Outstanding_Performance_by_an_Ensemble_in_a_Comedy_Series#2000s Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series]<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-9">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_note-9 [10]]</sup>
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| style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(221, 255, 221);"|Yes
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|-
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writers_Guild_of_America_Awards Writers Guild of America Awards]
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writers_Guild_of_America_Awards_2006#Comedy_Series Comedy Series]
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| style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(221, 255, 221);"|Yes
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|-
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmy_Awards Emmy Awards]
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Comedy_Series#2000s Outstanding Comedy Series]
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| style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(221, 255, 221);"|Yes
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|-
  +
| rowspan="4"|2007
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_Actors_Guild_Awards Screen Actors Guild Awards]
  +
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_Actors_Guild_Award_for_Outstanding_Performance_by_an_Ensemble_in_a_Comedy_Series#2000s Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series]<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-10">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_note-10 [11]]</sup>
  +
| style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(221, 255, 221);"|Yes
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|-
  +
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmy_Awards Emmy Awards]
  +
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Comedy_Series#2000s Outstanding Comedy Series]
  +
| style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 221, 221);"|No
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="2"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writers_Guild_of_America_Awards Writers Guild of America Awards]
  +
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writers_Guild_of_America_Awards_2007#Episodic_Comedy Episodic Comedy] - for episode ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Ad Local Ad]''
  +
| style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 221, 221);"|No
  +
|-
  +
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writers_Guild_of_America_Awards_2007#Comedy_Series Comedy Series]
  +
| style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 221, 221);"|No
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="3"|2008
  +
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_Actors_Guild_Awards Screen Actors Guild Awards]
  +
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_Actors_Guild_Award_for_Outstanding_Performance_by_an_Ensemble_in_a_Comedy_Series#2000s Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series]
  +
| style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 221, 221);"|No
  +
|-
  +
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmy_Awards Emmy Awards]
  +
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Comedy_Series#2000s Outstanding Comedy Series]
  +
| style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 221, 221);"|No
  +
|-
  +
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writers_Guild_of_America_Awards Writers Guild of America Awards]
  +
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writers_Guild_of_America_Awards_2008#Comedy_Series Comedy Series]
  +
| style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 221, 221);"|No
  +
|-
  +
| rowspan="1"|2009
  +
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prism_Awards Prism Awards]
  +
|Performance in a Comedy Series
  +
| style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 221, 221);"|No
  +
|}
  +
== References==
  +
#'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_ref-0 ^]''' Courtney Hollands (20 December 2007). [http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/fashion/articles/2007/12/20/shes_got_stars_in_her_eyes___and_on_her_blog/ "Molly Goodson has stars in her eyes - and on her blog"]. ''The Boston Globe''. http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/fashion/articles/2007/12/20/shes_got_stars_in_her_eyes___and_on_her_blog/. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
  +
#'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_ref-crimson1_1-0 ^]''' Berman, Alyssa R.; Beborah B. Doroshow (2001-05-14). [http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=104390 "BJ's Bring a Full House to Sanders"]. Harvard Crimson. http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=104390. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  +
#'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_ref-latimesref_2-0 ^]''' Getlin, John (1992-09-17). [http://articles.latimes.com/1992-09-17/news/vw-968_1_william-novak "Ghost to the Stars - William Novak Is the Invisible Writer Behind Memoirs by Lee Iacocca, Nancy Reagan and--Soon--Magic Johnson"]. Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1992-09-17/news/vw-968_1_william-novak. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  +
#'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_ref-3 ^]''' Uriel Heilman (19 November 2006). [http://jta.org/news/article/2006/11/19/14678/Betterthanp "Better than Pork, Isn't it? Jewish Joke Book turns 25"]. ''JTA''. http://jta.org/news/article/2006/11/19/14678/Betterthanp. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
  +
#^ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_ref-BG_4-0 <sup>'''''a'''''</sup>] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_ref-BG_4-1 <sup>'''''b'''''</sup>] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_ref-BG_4-2 <sup>'''''c'''''</sup>] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_ref-BG_4-3 <sup>'''''d'''''</sup>] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_ref-BG_4-4 <sup>'''''e'''''</sup>] Christopher Muther (6 December 2005). [http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2005/12/06/class_reunion/ "Class reunion"]. ''The Boston Globe''. http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2005/12/06/class_reunion/. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
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#'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_ref-5 ^]''' [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1145983/bio B.J. Novak - Biography]
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#^ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_ref-CC_6-0 <sup>'''''a'''''</sup>] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_ref-CC_6-1 <sup>'''''b'''''</sup>] [http://www.comedycentral.com/comedians/browse/n/bj_novak.jhtml "B.J. Novak: Videos, Jokes, Tour Dates, Biography and more"]. ''Jokes.com''. ComedyCentral. 2009. http://www.comedycentral.com/comedians/browse/n/bj_novak.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
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#'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_ref-7 ^]''' [http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/20090611_B_J__Novak_gives_at__The_Office__and_out_of_it.html B.J. Novak gives at 'The Office' and out of it]
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#'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_ref-8 ^]''' [http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2008/11/bj-novak-leavin.html B.J. Novak Takes 'Office' Leave]
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#'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_ref-9 ^]''' [http://www.sagawards.com/PR_070128.htm Screen Actors Guild Honors Outstanding Film and Television Performances...], a January 2007 press release from the SAG Awards website
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#'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Novak#cite_ref-10 ^]''' [http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/01/screen_actors_guild_honors_its.php 'Sopranos,' 'The Office' Win SAG Ensemble Awards], a January 2008 ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVWeek TVWeek]'' article
 
[[Category:Actors|Novak, B.J.]]
  
[[Category:Actors|Novak, B.J.]]
 
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[[Category:Crew|Novak, B.J.]]

Revision as of 20:26, 1 January 2020

Benjamin Joseph Manaly “B.J.” Novak (born July 31, 1979) is an American actor, stand-up comedian, screenwriter, and director. He is best known for being a writer and co-executive producer for and playing the role of Ryan Howard on the US version of The Office. He is also known to international audiences for appearing in the Quentin Tarantino film Inglourious Basterds.

Early life

Novak was born and raised in Newton, Massachusetts, the son of Linda and William Novak.[1][2] Novak's father co-edited The Big Book of Jewish Humor and has ghostwritten memoirs for Nancy Reagan, Lee Iacocca, and others; Novak's parents also established a Jewish matchmaking service.[3][4] Novak has two younger brothers, Jesse and Lev. He attended Newton South High School with future Office costar John Krasinski,[5] and they graduated in 1997.[5] Novak attended Harvard University, where he worked for the Harvard Lampoon and majored in History & Literature. In addition to the Lampoon, he occasionally staged and performed in a variety show called The B.J. Show with fellow Harvard student B. J. Averell.[5] Novak wrote his honors thesis on the films of Shakespeare's Hamlet.[6]

Career

Novak graduated from Harvard in 2001. Afterward he moved to Los Angeles and began working in clubs as a comedian. His first live stand-up performance took place on October 10, 2001 at the Hollywood Youth Hostel. He was named one of Variety's "Ten Comedians To Watch" in 2003.[7]

Novak was a writer for the short-lived The WB sitcom Raising Dad.[5] He has also performed on Comedy Central's Premium Blend and on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.[7]

Novak's television acting career began on MTV's Punk'd. He was the lead accomplice to Ashton Kutcher on the show's second season in 2003, and has played pranks on Hilary Duff, Usher, and Mýa.

After hearing Novak's opening joke at a comedy club, executive producer Greg Daniels immediately decided to include Novak in his upcoming project: a U.S. version of the hit British series The Office. Novak was cast as Ryan Howard, becoming the first cast member.[5] He is also a writer and co-executive producer for the series. On July 21, 2010, news reports indicated Novak had signed a contract to remain with the show for its 7th and 8th seasons; under the new terms, he would be made a full executive producer midway through Season 7 and also direct two episodes of the show, as well as becoming the latest cast member to also have a deal with NBC to develop other shows. In a June 2009 interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer, Novak spoke about sharing the success of The Office with his Newton South High School classmate John Krasinski:[8] He has claimed that his all time favorite episode of "The Office" is, "The Injury."

“ Sometimes when this feels too good to be true, I think that if this were all a dream, that would be what should have tipped me off. I'd wake up saying, 'I was in this incredible TV show and it was a big hit and the star was John Krasinski from high school. Isn't that weird?' ”

In addition to his television credits, Novak has appeared in the films Unaccompanied Minors, Reign Over Me, Knocked Up and Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds.[9]

Filmography

As actor

Year Film Role Notes
2003 Punk'd Field Agent TV series
2005–2012 The Office Ryan Howard Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2006, 2007)
Nominated: Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2008)
Nominated: Prism Award for Best performance in a Comedy Series (2009)
2006 Unaccompanied Minors Flight Attendant
2007 Reign Over Me Mr. Fallon
Knocked Up Unnamed Doctor
2009 Inglourious Basterds Pfc. Smithson Utivich Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
2011 The Smurfs Baker Smurf

As writer

Year Title Notes
2001–2002 Raising Dad 2 episodes
2005– 2013 The Office 12 episodes::Diversity Day (March 29, 2005):Sexual Harassment (September 27, 2005):The Fire (October 11, 2005):Boys and Girls (February 2, 2006):Initiation (October 19, 2006):Safety Training (April 12, 2007):Local Ad (October 25, 2007):Chair Model (April 17, 2008):Prince Family Paper (January 22, 2009):Dream Team (April 9, 2009)
Happy Hour (March 25, 2010)
Counseling (September 30, 2010)




Writers Guild of America Award for Comedy Series (2006)
Nominated: Writers Guild of America Award for a Comedy Series (2005, 2007, 2008)
Nominated: Writers Guild of America Award for a New Series (2005)
Nominated: Writers Guild of America Award for an Episodic Comedy (2005, 2007)

[edit] As director

Year Title Notes
2009 The Office – Blackmail webisode series 4 episodes
2009 The Office – Scott's Tots aired 12/03/09

Awards and nominations

Year Group Award Won Film/Television series
2005 Writers Guild of America Awards New Series No The Office
Episodic Comedy - for episode Diversity Day No
Comedy Series No
2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series[10] Yes
Writers Guild of America Awards Comedy Series Yes
Emmy Awards Outstanding Comedy Series Yes
2007 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series[11] Yes
Emmy Awards Outstanding Comedy Series No
Writers Guild of America Awards Episodic Comedy - for episode Local Ad No
Comedy Series No
2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series No
Emmy Awards Outstanding Comedy Series No
Writers Guild of America Awards Comedy Series No
2009 Prism Awards Performance in a Comedy Series No

References

  1. ^ Courtney Hollands (20 December 2007). "Molly Goodson has stars in her eyes - and on her blog". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/fashion/articles/2007/12/20/shes_got_stars_in_her_eyes___and_on_her_blog/. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
  2. ^ Berman, Alyssa R.; Beborah B. Doroshow (2001-05-14). "BJ's Bring a Full House to Sanders". Harvard Crimson. http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=104390. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  3. ^ Getlin, John (1992-09-17). "Ghost to the Stars - William Novak Is the Invisible Writer Behind Memoirs by Lee Iacocca, Nancy Reagan and--Soon--Magic Johnson". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1992-09-17/news/vw-968_1_william-novak. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  4. ^ Uriel Heilman (19 November 2006). "Better than Pork, Isn't it? Jewish Joke Book turns 25". JTA. http://jta.org/news/article/2006/11/19/14678/Betterthanp. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
  5. ^ a b c d e Christopher Muther (6 December 2005). "Class reunion". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2005/12/06/class_reunion/. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
  6. ^ B.J. Novak - Biography
  7. ^ a b "B.J. Novak: Videos, Jokes, Tour Dates, Biography and more". Jokes.com. ComedyCentral. 2009. http://www.comedycentral.com/comedians/browse/n/bj_novak.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
  8. ^ B.J. Novak gives at 'The Office' and out of it
  9. ^ B.J. Novak Takes 'Office' Leave
  10. ^ Screen Actors Guild Honors Outstanding Film and Television Performances..., a January 2007 press release from the SAG Awards website
  11. ^ 'Sopranos,' 'The Office' Win SAG Ensemble Awards, a January 2008 TVWeek article
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