Newton, Massachusetts-born and raised Benjamin Joseph Manaly “B.J.” Novak started his career in Los Angeles, California, as a standup comedian. In 2002 he joined the MTV show Punk'd as accomplice to Ashton Kutcher. In 2005, he landed the role of permanent temp Ryan Howard on the Emmy Award-winning show The Office produced by executive producer Greg Daniels, where he is not only a cast member but also a producer and occasional writer.
Movies he has appeared in include Unaccompanied Minors, Reign Over Me, Knocked Up and Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds.