B. J. Novak

B. J. Novak is an American actor, writer, comedian, and director best known for his role as Ryan Howard on the acclaimed NBC sitcom The Office, where he also served as a writer, executive producer, and occasional director. A graduate of Harvard University, he began his career in stand-up comedy and writing for television before achieving wider recognition. Novak has since expanded his creative output to include film roles, bestselling books, and ventures into podcasting and production.

Early life and education

Benjamin Joseph Manaly Novak was born in Newton, Massachusetts, to a Jewish family; his mother, Linda, was a writer, and his father, William Novak, is a noted ghostwriter who collaborated with figures like Tim Russert and Lee Iacocca. He attended Newton South High School, where he developed an early interest in performance. Novak then enrolled at Harvard University, initially studying English and Spanish literature before joining the prestigious Harvard Lampoon, serving as its president and honing his comedic writing alongside future collaborators like Mindy Kaling. He graduated with a degree in English and Spanish literature in 2001.

Career

Novak's professional break came when he was hired as a writer and performer for the MTV series Punk'd, working under host Ashton Kutcher. His major career shift occurred when he was cast by Greg Daniels for the American adaptation of The Office, playing the temp-turned-executive Ryan Howard. Simultaneously, he became a key writer and, later, an executive producer for the series, contributing to many iconic episodes and earning several Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Beyond the show, Novak has appeared in films such as Inglourious Basterds directed by Quentin Tarantino, The Smurfs, and The Founder. He created and starred in the Fox comedy series The Premise and has served as an executive producer on projects like the critically acclaimed Hulu series The Great.

Writing and other works

Beyond television, Novak is an accomplished author. His 2014 short story collection, One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories, became a New York Times bestseller. He followed this with the children's book The Book with No Pictures, which also topped bestseller lists and won awards for its innovative approach. Novak has written for publications like The New Yorker and performed his stand-up comedy on late-night shows including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He co-created and hosts the podcast The B.J. Novak Show and has been involved in various digital and literary projects, maintaining a multifaceted presence in comedy and publishing.

Personal life

Novak has been romantically linked to several high-profile figures in the entertainment industry, including his The Office co-star Mindy Kaling, with whom he maintains a close friendship and professional partnership. He is known for his philanthropic efforts, supporting educational initiatives and organizations like the Innocence Project. Novak resides primarily in Los Angeles and remains active in the Harvard University alumni community, often participating in events and panels related to writing and comedy.

Filmography

*Punk'd (2003–2004) – Writer/performer *The Office (2005–2013) – Ryan Howard, also writer/producer/director *Inglourious Basterds (2009) – Pfc. Smithson Utivich *The Smurfs (2011) – Baker *Saving Mr. Banks (2013) – Robert Stevenson *The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) – Alistair Smythe *The Founder (2016) – Harry J. Sonneborn *The Premise (2021) – Creator/writer/performer *Vengeance (2022) – Writer/director/producer/star

Category:American male television actors Category:American television writers Category:Harvard University alumni