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Tonight marks the beginning of Second City Alum Steve Carell’s last season as the cringe-inducing boss of “The Office.” It was seven seasons ago that the television show helped propel this funny man into fame, but his resume extends back much farther. Here, 12 sides you might not have seen from everyone’s favorite boss:
1. Only Nice Things To Say
Read any interview, article or profile on Steve Carell and it seems that the people who meet him only have nice things to say. As a cast member on the short lived comedy series “The Dana Carvey Show,” he also proved capable of saying nice things:
2. A Roving Reporter
Between 1999 and 2004, Steve was a corespondent on “The Daily Show.” He contributed regular interviews and in-depth reports, in addition to appearing in segments such as Produce Pete, Ad Nasuem and We Love Showbiz. Here he files a report on the detrimental effects of casual Fridays:
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon -- Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Dress-Downsizing | ||||
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3. A Seedy Guy
While studying at Denison University, Carell was a part of the school’s improv theatre group, called Burpee’s Seedy Theatrical Company. Founded in 1979, it is actually the oldest collegiate theatrical improv group in the United States. In 2009, Carell returned to his alma mater for a reunion show.
4. Hockey Star
Growing up in Concord, Massachusetts, Carell played goalie on his ice hockey team; watch Steve show off his skills in this clip from “The Dana Carvey Show:”
| 5. Hot for Teacher | |
| Steve Carell met his wife, Nancy Carell, while she was a student at The Second City. While you might not recognize her by name (she’s often credited under her maiden name, Nancy Walls), you’ll certainly recognize her face; as an actress and comedienne, Mrs. Carell has had supporting roles in many projects over the years, even guest starring on The Office as Michael’s realtor-turned-girlfriend-turned-ex girlfriend, Carol Stills. |
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6. A Regular Don Draper
In 1991, Carell featured as a cast member in Second City’s television special, “Life As We Know It.” Here he and Brad Sherwood try their best to sell some cereal, and when things escalate too quickly, a crime scene.
7. “40 Year Old” Mastermind
Steve’s breakout hit “The 40 Year Old Virgin” was actually an idea he mentioned to friend Judd Apatow. As he recently told it to The Guardian, “Yeah. It really was that easy. But then again, I suppose it was that easy after 20 years of working. But yes, it was an idea, and I pitched it to him, and he said, ‘I could call Universal right now and they would buy that.’ And lo and behold, they did.”
| 8. Triple Threat | |
| In addition to playing leading man on “The Office,” Steve wrote both of the episodes “Casino Night” and “Survivor Man,” and was behind the camera as director on “Broke” and “Secretary’s Day.” His script for “Casino Night” won him the Writer’s Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Comedy — not to mention a gasp from fans heard round the world |
9. The Jury’s Out
Before deciding to pursue acting, Carrel attended Denison University as a pre-law student, but when it came time to apply to law school, he realized he might need to look into some other options. “I was actually filling out my law school applications and I got to the essay question, which was, ‘Why do you want to be an attorney?’ And I couldn’t answer it. I really didn’t know.”
10. “Partners” in Justice
The Ambiguously Gay Duo, a cartoon that debuted on “The Dana Carvey Show,” and eventually made it’s way over to “Saturday Night Live,” followed the adventures of crime fighting team Ace and Gary. The spandex clad duo worked together to take down evil… and raise eyebrows. Carell voiced the part of Gary, but you’ll likely recognize Ace as well. That assured baritone belongs to Carell’s fellow Second City alum, Stephen Colbert.
11. Hometown Hero
In 2009, Carell helped preserve a landmark in the Massachusetts town of Marshfield Hills, by purchasing the local General Store that had recently gone up for sale. While Carell grew up in a different part of the state, it’s in Marshfield that he and his family spend their summers.
12. Anchors Away
It was roles in comedies like “Bruce Almighty” and “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” that gave mass audiences their first giggles at Carell’s comedic talent…. but you probably already knew that. Something you might not have known? Steve’s take on Brick Tamland during his ‘Anchorman’ audition is just as hilarious as the lovable idiot we saw on screen: