Benjamin Joseph Manaly Novak was born on July 31, 1979 in Newton, Massachusetts, USA. He better known as B. J. Novak, is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer.

He can currently be seen on “The Office” on NBC on Tuesdays at 9:30pm. He plays Ryan the temp.

B.J. was best known for his episodes of “Punk’d” on MTV as the driving instructor with Hilary Duff and many other classics including the pranks with Usher, Missy Elliot, Rachel Leigh Cook, Bow Wow, Mya, and Dave Mirra!. He is also a standup comedian who was on “The Conan O’ Brien Show” and other shows.

He went to Harvard University! He graduated with a degree in English and Spanish literature! He wrote a thesis about the films of Hamlet.

B.J. made his first onstage performance as a standup comedian on October 10, 2001 at the Hollywood Youth Hostel in Los Angeles. B.J. soon began winning fans for his unique take on major issues of the day and for his feel-good crowd-work as the “compliment comic.” Within months, he was a fixture at the major comedy clubs of Los Angeles, including The Improv and The Laugh Factory, and a favorite everywhere from the mainstream Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach to elite Hollywood’s top “alternative room” at M Bar. In July of 2003, he was named to Variety’s list of “Ten Comics to Watch.”

He is best friends with celebrity Bob Saget.

Filmography

• "The Office" (59 episodes, 2005-2007)
• Knocked Up (2007)
• Reign Over Me (2007)
• Unaccompanied Minors (2006)

Awards

• Screen Actors Guild Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series “The Office” 2007
• Writers Guild of America Best Comedy Series “The Office” 2007