The 10 Best ‘The Office’ Characters, Ranked by Likability
For nine years, the small town of Scranton, Pennsylvania, drew audiences’ undivided attention to the whacked-out hijinks of the Dunder-Mifflin employees. The Office, which ran on NBC from 2005-2013, is among the best and most watched comedy sitcoms of all time, largely thanks to the strength of its misfit collection of screwballs who weren’t always the best at handling workplace politics.
Featuring a stellar cast led by Steve Carrell, The Office quickly became a television sensation, and its reputation has only increased in the years since its conclusion. The show’s eclectic, chaotic cast was everything viewers could ask from their sitcom characters: hilarious, irreverent, exasperating, and endlessly entertaining. Declaring who is the most likable Dunder-Mifflin employee is no easy task; fans will look at their inherent charm, the storylines they had, and their dynamic with other characters. However, The Office’s most likable character is probably whoever has the right balance between all these elements.
10. Creed Bratton
American actor, singer, and musician Creed Bratton plays a fictionalized version of himself in The Office. Creed was always there, lurking and making everyone equal parts confused and uncomfortable. The show could go five episodes without giving him a line, but when he finally did speak, audiences really listened to the unconventional wisdom of this hipster from a bygone 60s era.
Creed’s mental health is often questioned, as his non-sequiturs would often take viewers into unlikely and sometimes uncomfortable places. Creed also enjoys breaking the law and commits several absurd crimes throughout The Office. However, he never comes across as dangerous, mainly because Bratton and the show never take his antics too far. Funny but never a standout character, Creed’s often creepy personality makes him more curious than likable, and it’s safe to say he isn’t atop many fans’ lists of favorite The Office characters.
9. Darryl Philbin
Just remembering the charismatic Craig Robinson in the role of Darryl Philbin will make any fan of The Office smile and hunger for some Pizza Hut. The multi-talented performer always kept it real and never allowed the folks upstairs to look down on the loading crew below.
Darryl was quite funny, thanks to Robinson’s deadpan delivery. Although friendly and mellow, Darryl could be quite intimidating, especially whenever crossed. Like many characters in The Office, Darryl always let the game come to him and happily indulged the chaotic figures in his life. And in a show like The Office, this adaptable quality goes a long way. Darryll’s personality was slightly more subdued to rank him among the show’s most instantly likable figures, but he surely pulled the spotlight whenever he was on the scene.
8. Erin Hannon
She’s the Mary Tyler Moore of the 21st century. Ellie Kemper’s smile could launch a thousand ships, and her inherent charm has quickly turned her into a modern television icon. Kemper’s Erin was a definite starting point for the hugely successful and equally radiant Kimmy Schmidt in Tina Fey’s Netflix comedy Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Erin is the face anyone would want to see smiling behind the front desk when walking into a mundane and tedious job. Silly and childlike, Erin could’ve easily been a one-note character – the typical ditzy girl who is often the butt of the joke. However, Kemper and The Office’s writers seamlessly integrate her naive humor into the ongoing and increasingly disorderly storylines, preventing her from becoming the punchline. Erin’s overwhelming positivity makes her instantly likable, especially in a show as wicked as The Office.
7. Andy Bernard
Did someone say Cornell University? It may be the easiest school to get into in the Ivy League, but Andy Bernard still takes great offense at hearing that. Before making it big with The Hangover, Ed Helms spent years in Scranton and even remained on the show after the film’s overwhelming success.
Though he isn’t an original cast member, Andy quickly became a fan favorite with his oblivious, unfounded bravado and lack of agency. Like many other characters in The Office, he is utterly clueless about how annoying his antics can get and believes himself the life of the party. However,Andy’s actions, petulant as they may be, are never mean-spirited. Helms’ earnest performance makes Andy one of The Office’s most likable characters, even if he is better in small doses.
6. Stanley Hudson
Beloved and recognizable character actor Leslie David Baker plays Stanley Hudson in The Office. Famous for his sales prowess – who has more Dundies than him, after all – and stoic, quiet personality, Stanley is one of Dunder-Mifflin’s most respected employees. Most people treat him with the utmost respect – even Michael signals him out. However, Stanley remains utterly uninterested in his surroundings for the most part.
Although his tough personality can be challenging, Stanley is a beloved figure within the show’s context and for the viewers watching at home. Despite his outright rude behavior – or perhaps because of it – everyone loves him. Stanley’s rare moments of warmth stand out more, considering his usual demeanor, making him even more likable in the eyes of many. He won’t win any popularity contest… or maybe he will, considering how odd everyone at Dunder-Mifflin is.
5. Michael Scott
Steve Carrell became an overnight sensation thanks to his role as Michael Scott in The Office. His performance earned him a Golden Globe and a plethora of Emmy nominations; more importantly, it cemented him as a modern television icon and a once-in-a-generation comedic talent. After all, it takes considerable charm to prevent a character like Michael Scott from being completely unbearable.
Michael Scott is beautifully goofy, artfully unaware, and occasionally plain stupid. His antics are endlessly entertaining but rather questionable, especially for someone who’s supposed to be a leader. Still, he has a softer side; Michael’s relationship with Pam is the best in The Office, and his genuine concern for his employees is heartwarming. Although his peculiar personality prevents him from being The Office’s most likable character, Michael Scott remains hilarious, sympathetic, curiously endearing, and completely unforgettable.
4. Kevin Malone
It’s not an overstatement to say Kevin was the heart of The Office. There are plenty of characters on the show who seem to carry on without contributing anything in the way of sales or relationships. However, Kevin’s lovable bear routine and unusually odd thought process elevate him, turning him into one of The Office’s secret comedic weapons.
Brian Baumgartner and the writers created a unique, puzzling, and delightful character that ranks among The Office’s most likable. Sure, his antics can be confusing and annoying, but that applies to nearly every other character in the show. Dumb and harmless, this woefully clueless and quirky guy is a constant source of laughter, both involuntarily and on purpose. Kevin is a living meme whose sweet obliviousness makes him a standout in a cast full of standouts.
3. Dwight K. Schrute
Arguably The Office’s most quotable and popular character besides Michael Scott, the horribly misunderstood Dwight Schrute is nothing short of a modern sitcom legend. Between his obsessive-compulsive issues, need for authority and order, and a troubled relationship with Angela, Dwight is a constant source of laughs throughout the show’s nine seasons. Through it all, Dwight remains loyal and sometimes uncomfortably subservient to Michael, and fans of the show still love him for that.
Huge props must go to three-time Emmy nominee Rainn Wilson, whose firm hand on the steering wheel prevented the character from becoming a caricature. Dwight is slightly unhinged but remarkably committed to it, making him a perfect fit with the show’s unique brand of disorderly comedy. Although his hectic and changing personality can be off-putting and even sinister, Dwight’s loyalty and unexpected warmth make him one of The Office’s unsung heroes. Carry on, Mr. Schrute!
2. Jim Halpert
And now, a little alliteration wordplay in encapsulating Mr. Jim Halpert: he is a pencil-necked paper pusher who perpetually pines for Pam. Played by John Krasinski, Jim is The Office’s resident straight man, the audience substitute who acknowledges how wild everything around him is but still gives into the chaos. Jim and Pam’s romance is among the best TV slow-burn relationships, adding another layer of depth to his characterization.
Fans of Krasinski in Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan will do good to remember that he was Jim Halpert, the irresistible paper peddler, way before he became a CIA operative. Jim’s averageness makes him more relatable and likable than most other characters in The Office, and Krasinki embraces this distinctive quality, making the ordinary seem noteworthy. Jim is also the absolute best at the fourth wall glimpses that are the show’s calling card, elevating the character past his average Joe persona and into comedic legend territory.
1. Pam Beesly
The beacon of light in an always funny but occasionally toxic and misogynistic workplace, Pam’s light never, ever dims. She exudes kindness and love from day one until her final scene. Never wanting to hurt anyone, Pam rises above the intra-office politics and cliques, keeping her eye on the prize. Her kindness could’ve easily made her the target for The Office’s jokes, but thankfully, that was never the case.
Compassion always equals likability, and Jenna Fischer’s Pam has it in spades. The actress – the only female cast member to receive an Emmy nomination for her work on the show – imbues Pam with natural charisma. Like Jim, she is the rare level-headed employee in this delightfully chaotic office, and she loves it – and viewers love her for it.
