B.J. Novak

Biography

Benjamin Joseph Manaly Novak (born July 31, 1979) is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, author, and producer. He gained traction as a comedian during the early 2000s before becoming a field agent for the MTV reality prank show Punk'd (2003). Novak had his breakout with a leading role as Ryan Howard on seasons 1–8 of the NBC mockumentary sitcom The Office (2005–2013). His acting, writing and producing for the show earned him two Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Writers Guild of America Award, alongside five nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series. In the late 2000s, Novak had supporting roles in the films Reign Over Me (2007) and Inglourious Basterds (2009). In the 2010s, he portrayed musician Robert B. Sherman in Saving Mr. Banks (2013) and Marvel Comics character Alistair Smythe in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014). He had a starring role as Harry...

Known For

Career Timeline

20062008201020122014201620182020202220242026
  1. 2026
    The Devil Wears Prada 2

    Jay Ravitz • Acting

  2. 2022
    Vengeance

    Ben Manalowitz • Acting

  3. 2016
    The Founder

    Harry J. Sonneborn • Acting

  4. 2014
    The Amazing Spider-Man 2

    Allistar Smythe • Acting

  5. 2014
  6. 2013
    The Smurfs 2

    Baker Smurf (voice) • Acting

  7. 2013
    Saving Mr. Banks

    Robert Sherman • Acting

  8. 2013
B.J. Novak - Aperture