Brian Baumgartner on Becoming Kevin from The Office

The Genesis of Kevin Malone

• 💡 The character of Kevin Malone originated from the British version of 'The Office,' specifically from a character named Keith.
• 🎯 The US version was intended to be a long-running show with more character development, unlike the original 12-episode British series.
• 🧩 Writers developed Kevin's 'childlike glee and joy' as an archetype that served the ensemble cast.

Character Evolution and Justification

• 🧠 Baumgartner's personal justification for Kevin's evolving personality was that the character became more comfortable with the documentary crew over time.
• 🎭 The initial character description for Kevin was 'spectacularly unspectacular,' yet he possessed hidden talents like winning a World Series of Poker bracelet and making great chili.
• 🎭 Baumgartner's theatrical background influenced his approach to creating Kevin's physicality, including his distinctive way of turning his body without pivoting his feet.

Audition Process and Casting

• 📌 Baumgartner's audition process was quick, as he was initially considered for a guest role.
• 🤝 He auditioned with Phyllis Smith, who later became a cast member herself.
• 🏆 Baumgartner discovered he was one of three finalists for the role, alongside Eric Stonestreet and Jorge Garcia, highlighting that different actors could have brought different 'flavors' to the character.

Maintaining Cast Connections

• 💬 The cast of 'The Office' maintains strong relationships, with a group text chat and regular communication.
• 🏈 Many cast members participate in a fantasy football league that has been running for 19 years, fostering ongoing connections.
• ❤️ Baumgartner describes his relationships with castmates as familial, with friendships extending to business discussions and family interactions.