The Office, a beloved TV show, provided viewers with nine seasons of uproarious laughter. Whether they were working at Dunder Mifflin, attending weddings, or joining in on company picnics, the characters took fans on a memorable journey from 2005 to 2012.
Back in 2005, a relatively unknown actor named Steve Carell took on the role of Michael Scott, the “World’s Best Boss.” At the age of 43, he brought his comedic genius to the show, leaving an undeniable impact even after he left the main cast in season seven.
Joining the show at a young age, John Krasinski became the lovable Jim, stealing hearts at just 25 years old. Jenna Fischer, who portrayed Pam, made her debut at the age of 31, showcasing her talent and chemistry with Krasinski’s character.
Rainn Wilson, then 39, became a breakout star with his portrayal of the quirky Dwight Schrute. Fans couldn’t get enough of his unique charm. Ed Helms, on the other hand, joined the cast in season three at the age of 33, adding his own special touch to the show.
Considering the nine-season journey of The Office, it’s fascinating to think about which cast member underwent the most noticeable transformation over time. Which actor do you think aged the most during this incredible run?
1. Steve Carell (Michael Scott)
Steve Carell, who was not widely recognized at the time, was 43 years old when The Office made its debut in 2005. He played the role of Michael Scott, famously known as the “World’s Best Boss,” for the entire nine seasons of the show. However, he departed from the main cast after season seven.
As the series progressed, Michael’s slicked back hair became less prominent, symbolizing his gradual shift from wanting to be a boss to valuing friendship.
Following his departure from The Office, Carell has shifted his focus towards more serious and dramatic roles. He has appeared in projects like Foxcatcher, The Big Short, and The Morning Show, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
2. John Krasinski (Jim Halpert)
At 40, John Krasinski is probably most recognized as an action hero, playing the lead role in Amazon’s Jack Ryan. However, for fans of The Office, he will forever be remembered as Jim.
When Krasinski first appeared in The Office’s pilot episode, he was a youthful 25-year-old with messy hair. Just like the beloved paper salesman Jim Halpert, Krasinski has since transformed his appearance and his professional path. In addition to his numerous acting credits in both movies and TV shows, Krasinski has also ventured into writing and directing. He notably took on these roles for The Quiet Place and its sequel.
3. Creed Bratton (Creed Bratton)
At 62 years old, Creed Bratton landed the role of Creed Bratton in The Office, and fans quickly became enamored with his eccentric charm throughout the show’s nine seasons.
Interestingly, Bratton’s claim to fame extends beyond his acting career on The Office. He is widely recognized as a musician, having made a name for himself as a member of The Grass Roots and later as a solo artist.
4. Mindy Kaling (Kelly Kapoor)
Mindy Kaling, who was just 24 at the time, made her debut as Kelly Kapoor in the “Diversity Day” episode of The Office’s first season. Throughout the show’s nine seasons, we witnessed a significant transformation in Kelly’s character. She went from being a rigid and rule-oriented employee at Dunder Mifflin to becoming the lively and obsessed-with-celebrities Kelly we know in the later seasons.
Not only did Kaling play the role of Kelly, but she also took on various other roles behind the scenes. She served as a writer, executive producer, and director for The Office, showcasing her diverse talents. In addition to her work on The Office, Kaling created the widely popular series, The Mindy Project.”
5. Jenna Fischer (Pam Beesly)
Jenna Fischer, known for her role as Pam Beesly on The Office, played the character from the ages of 31 to 39 throughout all nine seasons of the show.
After The Office concluded, Fischer went on to make appearances in various movies and TV shows, including Brad’s Status and Splitting Up Together, among others.
6. Phyllis Smith (Phyllis Lapin)
Phyllis Smith, who was 53 at the time, was actually working as a casting associate on The Office when she got cast as the character Phyllis. Phyllis played a salesperson at Dunder Mifflin for all nine seasons of the show.
After her time on The Office, Smith went on to appear in various movies and TV series such as The Middle, The OA, and Inside Out.
7. David Denman (Roy Anderson)
David Denman, who started his journey in The Office at the age of 31, played the character of Roy, Pam’s fiance and a warehouse worker at Dunder Mifflin. Although he left the show as a regular after season three, he did make occasional appearances in seasons five, seven, and nine.
After his time on The Office, Denman went on to land recurring roles in various shows including Parenthood, Outcast, and several others.
8. Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute)
At the age of 39, Rainn Wilson rose to fame as the standout star of The Office in 2005, and he remained a beloved character throughout the show’s nine seasons. Despite being a versatile actor capable of pulling off various looks, Dwight Schrute, the character Rainn portrayed, was known for his signature wardrobe choice: mustard shirts and brown pants. This distinctive outfit remained a constant throughout the years.
9. Craig Robinson (Darryl Philbin)
Darryl Philbin’s rise at Dunder Mifflin mirrored Craig Robinson’s ascent in the comedy world. Starting his portrayal of Philbin at the age of 33, Robinson has found success in stand-up comedy with his band The Nasty Delicious. Additionally, he has made a mark in the film industry with notable roles in movies like Hot Tub Time Machine, Morris from America, and Dolemite Is My Name.
10. B. J. Novak (Ryan Howard)
B.J. Novak had quite the journey on The Office, spanning nine seasons. He joined the show at the age of 25 and took on the roles of writer, producer, and actor, portraying the character Ryan Howard.
Ryan’s character development was quite intriguing. He started off as a temporary employee and eventually worked his way up to being a boss. However, things took a turn and he found himself back in the role of a salesman. It was quite a rollercoaster ride for Ryan!
Since his time on The Office, B.J. Novak has ventured into other creative pursuits. He has become a bestselling author, penning works like One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories. It’s great to see him thriving in his writing career after his successful run on the show.
11. Melora Hardin (Jan Levinson)
Jan, played by Melora Hardin, went through significant changes during her time on The Office. From ages 37 to 45, she transformed from a successful executive to a disgruntled employee to a candle maker. Along with her character development, her appearance also went through its fair share of ups, downs, and augmentations over the years.
After season five, Hardin’s regular role on the show came to an end. However, she still made guest appearances in seasons seven and nine, ensuring that fans got to see more of Jan’s story.