BJ Novak is best known for his role as Ryan Howard on the hit NBC sitcom The Office. However, the multi-talented actor, writer, director, and producer has built an impressive net worth through his many entertainment industry pursuits.
As of 2025, BJ Novak’s net worth is around $25 million. Here’s a detailed look at how he built his fortune.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Benjamin Joseph Manaly Novak was born in Newton, Massachusetts, on July 31, 1979. He attended Newton South High School with future Office co-star John Krasinski.
Novak got his start in comedy, performing standup and improv while attending Harvard University. After graduating from Harvard in 2001, Novak moved to Los Angeles to pursue an entertainment career.
He landed his first major gig as a writer and occasional performer on Ashton Kutcher’s prank show Punk’d 2003.
Breakthrough on The Office
In 2005, Novak was hired as a writer and cast member for the American adaptation of the British sitcom The Office.
He was 25 years old and the youngest and most inexperienced writer on the show’s staff. However, Novak quickly proved himself and became an integral part of the series.
Throughout The Office’s nine seasons, Novak served many roles:
- Played the part of Ryan Howard, who went from temp to executive and back again.
- Wrote 15 episodes, including classics like “Diversity Day” and “Safety Training”.
- Directed 5 episodes, including the show’s penultimate entry, “A.A.R.M.”.
- Served as an executive producer for seasons 5-9.
Novak’s work on The Office earned him five Emmy nominations for writing and producing between 2007 and 2010.
The series was a huge hit, running for 201 episodes and making stars out of much of the cast. Novak’s time on the show was the foundation for his net worth.
Other Acting Roles
Outside The Office, Novak has had a steady stream of acting gigs in movies and TV shows.
Some notable roles include:
- Smithson “The Little Man” Utivich in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds.
- PFC Smithson Utivich in The Office writer/actress Mindy Kaling’s The Mindy Project.
- Harry in the 2013 film Saving Mr. Banks.
- Alistair Smythe in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
- Himself in episodes of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and The Premise.
While not as prominent as his role as Ryan, these parts have helped add to Novak’s net worth and keep him in the public eye post-office.
Writing and Directing
Novak has continued to find success as a writer and director after The Office wrapped in 2013. His most notable project was the 2022 anthology series The Premise, which he created, wrote, directed, and executive produced for FX.
The show told standalone stories in each episode that dealt with hot-button moral issues. Novak also directed the 2016 family comedy The Founder, starring Michael Keaton, and the 2022 thriller Vengeance, which he also wrote and co-starred with Ashton Kutcher and Issa Rae.
These behind-the-camera efforts have allowed Novak to take more creative control and command larger paydays, growing his wealth.
Book Deals
In addition to his screenwork, Novak is a New York Times bestselling author. His 2014 collection of short stories One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories reached #4 on the Hardcover Fiction bestseller list.
Novak followed that up with the 2022 thriller novel The Premise, a prequel of sorts to his TV series of the same name. His books have been well-received and sold solidly, providing another income stream.
Real Estate and Investments
With his Office money and other paydays, Novak has invested in real estate to grow his net worth. In 2021, he purchased a $8.5 million home in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles.
The nearly 5,000-square-foot house sits on half an acre and features 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, a pool, and stunning views of the city.
Novak also likely has a portfolio of other investments but avoids discussing his finances publicly.
BJ Novak Net Worth 2024
When you add it all up, BJ Novak’s net worth is estimated at $25 million as of 2024. The bulk of his fortune comes from his many years working on The Office in multiple capacities.
But his work as an actor, writer, director and author since then has allowed Novak to substantially grow his bank account balance.
At just 44 years old, Novak likely still has many productive years ahead of him in Hollywood. Don’t be surprised to see his net worth rise as he takes on more high-profile projects.
FAQs
1. What is B.J. Novak best known for?
B.J. Novak is best known for playing Ryan Howard on NBC’s The Office (2005–2013), where he also served as a writer, producer, and executive producer. His work on the show earned five Primetime Emmy nominations and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
2. What are B.J. Novak’s most notable film roles?
Notable film roles include Pfc. Smithson Utivich in Inglourious Basterds (2009), Robert Sherman in Saving Mr. Banks (2013), Harry J. Sonneborn in The Founder (2016), and Alistair Smythe in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014). He also wrote and directed Vengeance (2022).
3. Has B.J. Novak written any books?
Yes, he authored One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories (2014), a New York Times bestseller, and The Book with No Pictures (2014), a #1 children’s bestseller. Both received widespread acclaim for their humor and creativity.
4. What is B.J. Novak’s educational background?
He graduated from Harvard University in 2001 with a degree in English and Spanish literature. During college, he wrote for The Harvard Lampoon and performed stand-up comedy, which later jumpstarted his entertainment career.
5. Did B.J. Novak date Mindy Kaling?
Yes, they briefly dated during their time working on The Office but remained close friends afterward. Novak is the godfather to Kaling’s children, and they frequently collaborate professionally and attend events together.
6. What awards has B.J. Novak won?
He won two Screen Actors Guild Awards for The Office ensemble cast and received five Primetime Emmy nominations for writing and producing. His work on The Office also earned Writers Guild of America Awards.
7. What other TV shows has B.J. Novak created?
He created and executive-produced the Hulu anthology series The Premise (2021) and appeared in The Mindy Project (2013–2016) and HBO’s The Newsroom (2014). He also directed episodes of The Office.
8. When did B.J. Novak start his career?
He began performing stand-up comedy in 2001 and landed early writing gigs for Raising Dad (2001–2002) and MTV’s Punk’d (2003). His breakthrough came with The Office in 2005.
9. What is B.J. Novak’s role in Vengeance (2022)?
He wrote, directed, and starred in Vengeance, a dark comedy thriller about a journalist investigating a death in rural Texas. It marked his feature directorial debut and received critical praise.
10. Does B.J. Novak have siblings?
Yes, his younger brother Jesse Novak is a musician and composer who scored The Office and BoJack Horseman. Their father, William Novak, is a noted author and ghostwriter.
