What Happened to Benjamin Joseph Manaly Novak?
B.J. Novak is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, author, and producer, widely recognized for his role as Ryan Howard on NBC's 'The Office,' where he also served as a writer and executive producer. In recent years, he has expanded his creative endeavors, making his feature film directorial debut with 'Vengeance' (2022) and continuing his acting career with projects like 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' (2026), while also maintaining his presence as a bestselling author.
Quick Answer
B.J. Novak has continued a multifaceted career in entertainment, moving beyond his iconic role as Ryan Howard on 'The Office.' He made his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed film 'Vengeance' in 2022, which he also wrote and starred in. Most recently, as of April 2026, he appeared in 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' and is slated to host the PEN America gala on May 14, 2026, demonstrating his ongoing involvement in both film and literary circles.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Began career as a stand-up comedian
B.J. Novak started his career performing stand-up comedy in Los Angeles clubs.
Appeared on MTV's 'Punk'd'
Novak gained early television exposure as an actor on the hidden-camera reality prank show 'Punk'd,' hosted by Ashton Kutcher.
Debuted as Ryan Howard in 'The Office'
Novak was cast as Ryan Howard, a temporary employee, in the American version of 'The Office,' a role he would play for eight seasons while also serving as a writer, producer, and director.
Appeared in Quentin Tarantino's 'Inglourious Basterds'
Novak took on a supporting role in the critically acclaimed war film 'Inglourious Basterds,' directed by Quentin Tarantino.
Starred in 'Saving Mr. Banks'
He portrayed Robert B. Sherman in the biographical drama 'Saving Mr. Banks,' which chronicled the making of 'Mary Poppins.'
Published 'One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories'
Novak released his debut collection of short stories, which became a New York Times bestseller.
Published 'The Book with No Pictures'
His children's book, 'The Book with No Pictures,' was released and also became a bestseller.
Starred in 'The Founder'
Novak played Harry J. Sonneborn in the biographical drama 'The Founder,' about the origins of McDonald's.
Created and launched 'The Premise' anthology series
Novak created, wrote, and executive-produced 'The Premise,' an FX on Hulu anthology series exploring modern moral questions.
Directorial debut 'Vengeance' premiered at Tribeca Festival
His first feature film as a writer and director, 'Vengeance,' a black comedy mystery, had its world premiere.
'Vengeance' released theatrically
The film 'Vengeance,' starring, written, and directed by Novak, was released in theaters across the United States.
'Vengeance' released on Netflix
B.J. Novak's directorial debut, 'Vengeance,' became available for streaming on Netflix.
Appeared in 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'
Novak was part of the cast for the sequel 'The Devil Wears Prada 2,' which premiered around this date.
Discussed bond with Mindy Kaling's daughter
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Novak shared details about his close relationship with his goddaughter, Mindy Kaling's 8-year-old daughter, Katherine.
To host PEN America gala
B.J. Novak is scheduled to host the PEN America gala at the American Museum of Natural History, an event dedicated to free expression.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Benjamin Joseph Manaly Novak, born July 31, 1979, rose to prominence in the early 2000s, initially gaining traction as a comedian and appearing on MTV's reality prank show 'Punk'd' in 2003. His breakout role came in 2005 as Ryan Howard, a temporary employee who evolves throughout the NBC mockumentary sitcom 'The Office.' Beyond his on-screen performance, Novak was a pivotal force behind the scenes, serving as a writer, producer, and eventually an executive producer and director for the show. His contributions earned him two Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Writers Guild of America Award, along with five Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series.
After 'The Office' concluded, Novak diversified his career. He authored the New York Times bestselling short story collection 'One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories' and the popular children's book 'The Book with No Pictures,' both published in 2014. He continued acting in films such as Quentin Tarantino's 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009), 'Saving Mr. Banks' (2013), and 'The Founder' (2016). In television, he had recurring roles on 'The Mindy Project' and 'The Newsroom.'
A significant turning point in Novak's career was his foray into directing. In 2021, he created, wrote, and executive-produced the FX on Hulu anthology series 'The Premise,' which explored contemporary social issues through comedic and dramatic lenses. This was followed by his feature film directorial debut, 'Vengeance,' a black comedy mystery released in 2022, which he also wrote, produced, and starred in. The film premiered at the Tribeca Festival and received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising Novak's direction and script.
As of 2026, Novak remains active in the entertainment industry. His film 'Vengeance' was released on Netflix on March 16, 2026, four years after its theatrical run. He also appeared in the highly anticipated sequel 'The Devil Wears Prada 2,' which premiered around April 2026. Looking ahead, Novak is scheduled to host the PEN America gala on May 14, 2026, at the American Museum of Natural History, an event celebrating free expression and the written word. He continues to be a respected figure in Hollywood, balancing his roles as an actor, writer, and director, and maintaining a public profile that includes insights into his personal life, such as his close bond with Mindy Kaling's daughter.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Benjamin Joseph Manaly Novak made different choices?