Brian Baumgartner.Photo: Getty ImagesSome actors become synonymous with their most famous roles, andBrian Baumgartnerknows the feeling.The Officealum toldEntertainment Weeklyhe tried to take on roles opposite ofKevin Maloneafter the series' eight-year run, but wasn’t able to fully leave the character behind.“I wanted to distance myself,” Baumgartner, 49, explained of his career decisions afterThe Office. “I thought, ‘I don’t want to be Kevin Malone forever.'“The actor said many of the job opportunities that came after his longtime role were similar in nature to the aloof, clumsy Kevin. “I spent a long time turning down roles that I felt were too similar or wanted a similar sort of feeling and character,” he shared.But with the show streaming on platforms like Netflix and Peacock — and the unending love for the series from die-hard fans — leaving Kevin behind became nearly impossible. Not to mention thenow-iconic chili day scene, which Baumgartner called “symbolic of the show.““It all just built this momentum,” Baumgartner said. “Which was like, ‘Well, I don’t think I’m going to be escaping this one anytime soon.'“Brian Baumgartner on The Office.Chris Haston/NBC/NBCU Photo BankDespite his best efforts, Baumgartner is still highly-associated with the character.He was listed in the top three celebrities to be requested on video app Cameo in 2021, according toUSA Today. On the platform, Baumgartner charges $195 per personalized video — and is listed as one of the fewOfficecast members willing to make the customizable messages.As for why the role of Kevin was so defining — and beloved — Baumgartner spoke in depth about how longThe Officewas in production. “The Officebeing 10 years, nine seasons, I mean, I was essentially on the show the entirety of my thirties,” he said.“I mean, it was a decade. To give people perspective, that’s like progressing from high school through college and then a couple of more years,” he added. “It’s such a long period of your life and you establish such deep relationships and obviously, such close identification with those characters.“The cast of The Office.Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via GettyBaumgartner still considers his experience on the NBC show to be a good one — even if it means he’ll be known as Kevin forever.“I consider it a blessing, especially the amazing fans who talk about howThe Officegave them comfort, how it helped them during a difficult time,” Baumgartner said. “I mean, countless stories, way more than I can mention. That’s an amazing thing.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest storiesThe Officeran for nine seasons on NBC from 2005 to 2013. An American remake of British workplace mockumentary sitcom, the show followed the misadventures of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company employees in Scranton.In addition to Baumgartner, the series starredSteve Carell,John Krasinski,Rainn Wilson,B.J. Novak,Angela Kinsey,Jenna Fischer,Mindy Kaling,Ed Helms,Phyllis Smith,Leslie David Baker,Oscar Nuñez,Craig RobinsonandEllie Kemper.
Brian Baumgartner.Photo: Getty Images
Some actors become synonymous with their most famous roles, andBrian Baumgartnerknows the feeling.The Officealum toldEntertainment Weeklyhe tried to take on roles opposite ofKevin Maloneafter the series’ eight-year run, but wasn’t able to fully leave the character behind.“I wanted to distance myself,” Baumgartner, 49, explained of his career decisions afterThe Office. “I thought, ‘I don’t want to be Kevin Malone forever.'“The actor said many of the job opportunities that came after his longtime role were similar in nature to the aloof, clumsy Kevin. “I spent a long time turning down roles that I felt were too similar or wanted a similar sort of feeling and character,” he shared.But with the show streaming on platforms like Netflix and Peacock — and the unending love for the series from die-hard fans — leaving Kevin behind became nearly impossible. Not to mention thenow-iconic chili day scene, which Baumgartner called “symbolic of the show.““It all just built this momentum,” Baumgartner said. “Which was like, ‘Well, I don’t think I’m going to be escaping this one anytime soon.'“Brian Baumgartner on The Office.Chris Haston/NBC/NBCU Photo BankDespite his best efforts, Baumgartner is still highly-associated with the character.He was listed in the top three celebrities to be requested on video app Cameo in 2021, according toUSA Today. On the platform, Baumgartner charges $195 per personalized video — and is listed as one of the fewOfficecast members willing to make the customizable messages.As for why the role of Kevin was so defining — and beloved — Baumgartner spoke in depth about how longThe Officewas in production. “The Officebeing 10 years, nine seasons, I mean, I was essentially on the show the entirety of my thirties,” he said.“I mean, it was a decade. To give people perspective, that’s like progressing from high school through college and then a couple of more years,” he added. “It’s such a long period of your life and you establish such deep relationships and obviously, such close identification with those characters.“The cast of The Office.Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via GettyBaumgartner still considers his experience on the NBC show to be a good one — even if it means he’ll be known as Kevin forever.“I consider it a blessing, especially the amazing fans who talk about howThe Officegave them comfort, how it helped them during a difficult time,” Baumgartner said. “I mean, countless stories, way more than I can mention. That’s an amazing thing.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest storiesThe Officeran for nine seasons on NBC from 2005 to 2013. An American remake of British workplace mockumentary sitcom, the show followed the misadventures of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company employees in Scranton.In addition to Baumgartner, the series starredSteve Carell,John Krasinski,Rainn Wilson,B.J. Novak,Angela Kinsey,Jenna Fischer,Mindy Kaling,Ed Helms,Phyllis Smith,Leslie David Baker,Oscar Nuñez,Craig RobinsonandEllie Kemper.
Some actors become synonymous with their most famous roles, andBrian Baumgartnerknows the feeling.
The Officealum toldEntertainment Weeklyhe tried to take on roles opposite ofKevin Maloneafter the series’ eight-year run, but wasn’t able to fully leave the character behind.
“I wanted to distance myself,” Baumgartner, 49, explained of his career decisions afterThe Office. “I thought, ‘I don’t want to be Kevin Malone forever.'”
The actor said many of the job opportunities that came after his longtime role were similar in nature to the aloof, clumsy Kevin. “I spent a long time turning down roles that I felt were too similar or wanted a similar sort of feeling and character,” he shared.
But with the show streaming on platforms like Netflix and Peacock — and the unending love for the series from die-hard fans — leaving Kevin behind became nearly impossible. Not to mention thenow-iconic chili day scene, which Baumgartner called “symbolic of the show.”
“It all just built this momentum,” Baumgartner said. “Which was like, ‘Well, I don’t think I’m going to be escaping this one anytime soon.'”
Brian Baumgartner on The Office.Chris Haston/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank
Despite his best efforts, Baumgartner is still highly-associated with the character.
He was listed in the top three celebrities to be requested on video app Cameo in 2021, according toUSA Today. On the platform, Baumgartner charges $195 per personalized video — and is listed as one of the fewOfficecast members willing to make the customizable messages.
As for why the role of Kevin was so defining — and beloved — Baumgartner spoke in depth about how longThe Officewas in production. “The Officebeing 10 years, nine seasons, I mean, I was essentially on the show the entirety of my thirties,” he said.
“I mean, it was a decade. To give people perspective, that’s like progressing from high school through college and then a couple of more years,” he added. “It’s such a long period of your life and you establish such deep relationships and obviously, such close identification with those characters.”
The cast of The Office.Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty
Baumgartner still considers his experience on the NBC show to be a good one — even if it means he’ll be known as Kevin forever.
“I consider it a blessing, especially the amazing fans who talk about howThe Officegave them comfort, how it helped them during a difficult time,” Baumgartner said. “I mean, countless stories, way more than I can mention. That’s an amazing thing.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories
The Officeran for nine seasons on NBC from 2005 to 2013. An American remake of British workplace mockumentary sitcom, the show followed the misadventures of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company employees in Scranton.
In addition to Baumgartner, the series starredSteve Carell,John Krasinski,Rainn Wilson,B.J. Novak,Angela Kinsey,Jenna Fischer,Mindy Kaling,Ed Helms,Phyllis Smith,Leslie David Baker,Oscar Nuñez,Craig RobinsonandEllie Kemper.
source: people.com
