Which actress plays Phyllis Lapin in The Office US?

Phyllis Smith plays Phyllis Lapin, later Phyllis Lapin-Vance, in The Office US.

Phyllis is a sales representative at Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch. Her gentle manner contrasts with her occasional bluntness, especially when she challenges Michael Scott or participates in the office’s social politics. Her character eventually marries Bob Vance from Vance Refrigeration.

Before acting, Smith worked as a dancer and later in casting. She was working as a casting associate on The Office when producers offered her the role of Phyllis, a character created specifically for her. That unusual path helps explain why Phyllis feels closely matched to Smith’s natural screen presence.

The question uses Phyllis Lapin, the character’s earlier surname. She later becomes Phyllis Lapin-Vance, but both names refer to the same character. Phyllis Diller was a separate comedian and actress, while Phyllis Davis was a different performer; neither played the Scranton saleswoman.