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The OfficeThe American version of The Office produced a few big stars but only one super celebrity -- John Krasinski, better known to fans of the show as Jim Halpert. Krasinski's "hands off" approach to comedy is a perfect foil to the heavy handed actions of most of the other cast members, specifically the office managers Michael and Dwight. John Krasinski The OfficeJohn Krasinski was offered the role of Jim Halpert based on his friendship with one of the show's producers and writers (and cast member) B.J. Novak. John Krasinski and B.J. Novak were theatre buddies at Harvard, where they performed together from time to time. Krasinski was perfect for the part of Jim Halpert because he was basically unknown in Hollywood. At the time of the Office premiere, Krasinski had a handful of small film parts to his name, nothing anyone would recognize save for a bit part in the hit film Kinsey. It's been said before, but I'll repeat -- any famous actor would have ruined the role of Jim. Play him a degree more serious or a degree less idiotic and the show is completely different. Novak's decision to offer his buddy John the role was a brilliant bit of casting. Who is Jim Halpert?
The Office is built around Jim's relationship with his coworker, Pam. At the show's start, Pam is engaged to another employee of Dunder Mifflin, and the obvious flirtations between them are the subject of much of the show's gags. As the show progresses, so does the relationship between Jim and Pam. Spoiler alert -- they eventually have a baby. Krasinski on Jim HalpertYou can learn a lot about a character by listening to the actor talk -- and John Krasinski has not held his tongue about playing Jim. In an interview with Time Magazine, Krasinski hints at his real feelings about Jim we he says he "hopes" that (Krasinski himself) is more "focused" than Halpert. Krasinski has long suggested an affinity for Halpert, especially his "under motivated" ways and wry sense of humor. Though John Krasinski's anonymous voice is more prevalent in Hollywood (he's done voice work for Ask.com, Gap, Apple, Verizon Wireless, Blackberry, and Carnival Cruise Lines) his performance as the hilarious Jim Halpert on the American Office is what has earned him his fame and a little bit of fortune. Fans of the Office may not be able to choose a favorite character, but the actor whose career got the biggest boost from The Office is John Krasinski.
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Emily Blunt and John Krasinski
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The character of Jim Halpert is the American version of Tim Canterbury, the self-deprecating and acerbically witty character from the original Office series in the UK. Jim is arguably the most irreverent employee of Dunder Mifflin (the fictional paper company that The Office is shot in) and has a strong sense of irony. Typical of Jim Halpert is his description of his job from the pilot episode -- "If I advance any higher, this would be my career. And if this were my career, I'd have to throw myself in front of a train."