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Benjamin Joseph Manaly Novak (born July 31, 1979 in Newton, Massachusetts), better known as B.J. Novak, is a stand-up comedian, actor, and writer who plays the character of Ryan Howard on the NBC sitcom The Office. Novak is also a writer and co-producer of several of the show's episodes.

Novak grew up in Newton, a city near Boston. He graduated from Newton South High School along with The Office co-star John Krasinski and enrolled in Harvard University, where he earned a degree in English and Spanish literature.

After graduating in 2001, Novak moved to Los Angeles where he began working clubs as a comedian. His first live stand-up performance was on October 10, 2001 at the Hollywood Youth Hostel. He soon became a fixture at the popular L.A. comedy clubs like The Improv and was named one of Variety's "Ten Comedians To Watch" in 2003. He has since performed on Comedy Central's Premium Blend and on Late Night with Conan O' Brien.

Novak is also a television actor, beginning with memorable appearances on MTV's Punk'd.

Novak is the older brother of Jesse Novak, the popular electronic musician and ex-member of the sketch comedy group Olde English. Novak's father, William Novak, is a noted ghostwriter and the co-editor of The Big Book of Jewish Humor.

External links

• Official website
• Biography at The Office (US) website

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