The Office is a modern TV classic. A decade after its nine-season run ended, the workplace sitcom is still finding new fans on streaming and syndication.
Its enduring popularity is largely thanks to its talented cast and colorful characters. Dwight K. Schrute, the oft-pranked beet farmer and Assistant to the Regional Manager, is easily one of the most iconic characters.
Dwight was a major breakout role for actor Rainn Wilson, but despite the success it brought him, Wilson recently admitted he wasn’t always happy while filming The Office — for a surprising reason.
Speaking to host Bill Maher on his podcast Club Random, Wilson, 57, admitted that he had complicated feelings about his role in the show and wanted even more out of his career.
“When I was in The Office, I spent several years really mostly unhappy because it wasn’t enough,” Wilson told Maher. “I’m on one of the great TV shows. People love it. I wasn’t enjoying it.”
He says he had ambitions of being a “movie star,” and wanted to be “making millions.”
“I was thinking about, ‘Why am I not a movie star? Why am I not the next Jack Black or the next Will Ferrell? How come I can’t have a movie career? Why don’t I have this development deal?’”
During his time on The Office, Wilson starred in films with limited success. His 2008 comedy vehicle The Rocker was a box office bomb, and his other starring role was in the 2010 independent film Super, which had a limited release.
By contrast, Office star Steve Carell launched a successful movie career with films like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Little Miss Sunshine, and Get Smart; he left the sitcom during season 7 to focus on his film career and has gone on to continued success.
But Wilson’s feelings of “never enough” were likely also rooted in his battles with depression and anxiety.
“Anxiety is something I’ve dealt with my whole life,” he told CNN recently. “Depression comes and goes. Loneliness and disconnection, alienation as well, kind of all the symptoms of the modern world. So what an amazing opportunity to have a personal journey. I got to transform.”
Over the years, Wilson has had nothing but high praise for his Office co-stars, and said the writers inspired his own work, including his new book Soul Boom.
“The Office writers have been so inspiring… There was just so much brilliance everywhere,” Wilson told The A.V. Club. “It was a rich creative petri dish to play in, and I’m sure that rubbed off in some way shape and form.”
Though Wilson never achieved his initial dream of becoming the next Jack Black, he did well for himself on the hit sitcom. He reportedly made $20,000 per episode for the first three seasons and then got $100,000 per episode through season 9.
The Office is one of the most popular shows on streaming and in TV reruns, and the stars continue to benefit from residuals. Wilson’s net worth is estimated at $14 million.
Wilson also received three Emmy nominations for playing Dwight, and the character has become a TV icon.
Even the most successful people can be left wanting more out of life. But Rainn Wilson gave an incredible performance on The Office and we’re glad to see he is doing well!
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