Brian Baumgartner
Brian Baumgartner – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes
Brian Baumgartner (born November 29, 1972) is an American actor best known as Kevin Malone on The Office. Learn about his early life, career highlights, personal passions (including his cookbook), and inspiring quotes.
Introduction
Brian Baumgartner is an American actor and producer best known for portraying the lovable yet awkward accountant Kevin Malone on NBC’s hit sitcom The Office (2005–2013). His portrayal of Kevin made him a household name and earned him awards, but beyond that role, Baumgartner has diversified into producing, podcasting, writing, and exploring passions beyond acting (such as barbecue). His journey is one of comedic timing, character work, authenticity, and embracing multiple creative outlets.
Early Life and Family
Brian Bruce Baumgartner was born on November 29, 1972, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
He attended Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School and later graduated from The Westminster Schools in 1991, where he competed in speech and drama events and advanced to national competitions.
Between his junior and senior years of high school, Baumgartner attended Northwestern University’s National High School Institute, focusing on theater.
He then went on to Southern Methodist University (SMU), where he earned a BFA in acting in 1995.
Youth, Theater & Early Career
Following college, Baumgartner moved around to build stage experience. He was Artistic Director of the Hidden Theatre in Minneapolis, where he directed and acted in various regional and experimental productions.
He also performed in regional theaters such as the Guthrie Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Children’s Theater Company, and Theatre de la Jeune Lune.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he began appearing in guest roles on television and in film. His early credits include The Lyon’s Den, CSI, Everwood, and Arrested Development.
Career and Achievements
Breakthrough: The Office
Baumgartner’s signature role is Kevin Malone on The Office. That sitcom gave him wide recognition: his comedic timing, physical humor, and unique character choices made Kevin a fan favorite.
While The Office ran from 2005 to 2013, Baumgartner expanded his involvement:
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He won a Daytime Emmy Award (2007) for Outstanding Broadband Program – Comedy for The Office: The Accountants webisodes (shared with Angela Kinsey and Oscar Nunez).
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After the show ended, he created and hosted podcasts exploring the show’s legacy:
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An Oral History of The Office (Spotify) in 2020
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The Office Deep Dive with Brian Baumgartner (iHeart) in 2021, with extended cast & crew interviews
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Other Acting & Voice Work
Baumgartner continued acting in film, television, and voice roles:
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Films: Into Temptation (2009), Ordinary World (2016), Electric Jesus (2020), License to Wed (2007) among others.
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Voice roles: he voiced “Walter” in Netflix’s Trash Truck (2020–2021)
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Recurring TV roles: Hand of God (Prime Video), The Other Black Girl (Hulu)
Other Pursuits
In recent years, Baumgartner has leaned into his passion for barbecue. In 2024 he released a cookbook titled Seriously Good Barbecue: Over 100 of the Best Recipes in the World, combining his love for food, Southern culture, and community.
His connection to Southern traditions (barbecue, SEC football, communal gatherings) is deeply personal, and the cookbook reflects both recipes and memories from his upbringing.
Historical Milestones & Context
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Baumgartner rose to prominence during the era when American television comedies (especially mockumentary style) became widely popular. The Office (2005–2013) was part of that wave.
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His pivot into podcasts reflects the modern trend of actors leveraging digital media to deepen fan engagement and revisit legacy shows.
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His foray into cookbook writing highlights how performers today often expand into lifestyle and branding spaces, connecting with fans beyond screen roles.
Legacy and Influence
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Iconic TV character: Kevin Malone is one of the more memorable ensemble characters in modern sitcom history.
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Multiplatform creativity: Baumgartner has shown that actors can successfully cross into producing, podcasting, and authorship.
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Southern cultural ambassador: Through his cookbook and interviews, he emphasizes Southern food, family, and heritage in his public persona.
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Podcast storytelling: His podcasts document behind-the-scenes insight and preserve The Office’s cultural impact.
Personality and Talents
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Warm, self-deprecating humor: His interviews and persona reflect humility and approachability.
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Passionate about craft: He values theater roots and continuous work across mediums.
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Lifelong learner: He embraces different forms—acting, producing, writing, cooking—and sees each as part of a creative whole.
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Rooted in heritage: His Atlanta upbringing, love for Southern food and culture, and celebration of community life surface in his public work (e.g. cookbook, interviews).
Famous Quotes of Brian Baumgartner
Here are some quotes that reflect his views on life, acting, and creativity:
“I do have a childlike enthusiasm at times. I certainly enjoy life and get pleasure sometimes in childish things.” “I had a Shiatsu dog for 12 years — we were different in size but he was certainly man’s best friend, he was my little guy.” “I come from straight theater.” “Television is certainly a writers-led medium. They’re the ones who are there, they’re the ones that are conferencing or whatever, with directors coming and going.” “The show is called The Office and while it focuses on the people, the architecture of the space is very important.” “If you’re in a situation where you don’t see a Michael Scott, you’re the Michael Scott.”
Additionally, some quotes are attributed to his character Kevin Malone (from The Office) in meme culture or script quotes, e.g.:
“People I work with are idiots… Sometimes I feel everyone I work with is an idiot.”
Note: Those are lines from the show, not necessarily Baumgartner’s personal views.
Lessons from Brian Baumgartner
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Leverage a breakout role but diversify
Kevin Malone made him famous, but he did not remain confined to one role. He expanded into writing, podcasting, and culinary projects. -
Stay connected to roots
His theater founding work, regional stage performances, and Southern cultural identity stay central to his creative self. -
Embrace curiosity
Whether acting, podcasting, or writing a cookbook, he follows genuine passion rather than chasing trends. -
Humility and authenticity matter
His public persona is not flashy. He connects through honesty, warmth, and approachability. -
Stories have longevity
His podcasts and legacy work around The Office show how storytelling and archive matter more than one-off performances.
Conclusion
Brian Baumgartner is more than Kevin Malone—he is a creative storyteller, cultural bridge, and multi-faceted artist. From theater stages to sitcom sets, podcast studios to kitchen tables, his path underscores that an actor's identity can evolve beyond the screen. His life affirms that enduring creativity often grows from roots: early training, love for community, and the courage to explore.