Which actor portrays Michael Scott?

Steve Carell portrays Michael Scott in the American version of The Office. Michael is the regional manager of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch, a fictional paper company in Pennsylvania.

Carell joined the series after gaining attention as a correspondent on The Daily Show and through films including Bruce Almighty and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. His 2005 comedy The 40-Year-Old Virgin was released shortly after The Office premiered and helped raise his profile.

Michael is loosely based on David Brent, the manager played by Ricky Gervais in the original British series. Carell shaped the American character into a more sympathetic, if still deeply awkward, boss whose need to be liked drives many of his mistakes.

A common mix-up is confusing the actor with Michael’s character or with Rainn Wilson, who plays Dwight Schrute. Carell received six consecutive Primetime Emmy nominations for the role and won a Golden Globe in 2006.