The American actor and comedian Steven John Carell, better known as Steve Carell, portrayed the main character of Michael Scott consecutively for seven seasons in the American comedy television series, The Office, from (2005–2011). He returned as a guest star in the final season of the series.
The actor left the show after the final episode of the seventh season titled, “Search Committee.” Carell also worked several times as a producer, executive producer, writer, and director in the series. He earned a Golden Globe Award for his performance in the series among several other honours. Carell was also named "America's Funniest Man" by Life.
Why did Steve Carell leave The Office?
Steve Carell, who played the lead in the American comedy series, The Office, left the show to explore other career opportunities and spend more time with his family. The character’s last regular appearance in the season 7 finale episode titled, “Search Committee.”
He had made his plans public about a year before. In 2010, he revealed to Entertainment Weekly, "I think [Season] 7 will be my last year.” "I want to fulfill my contract. I think it's a good time to move on." When EW asked whether there was anything that could make him reconsider, he then explained the cause for his departure. "No," he responded. "I just want to spend more time with my family."
Steve also informed his superiors of the news well in advance. According to Greg Daniels, the executive producer, "We knew very early on that he was going to leave at the end of Season 7," for TV Guide in 2013. "He was very upfront about it and he didn't play any games. Certainly, I was happy that he gave us seven years, considering that he became a huge movie star after Season 1 and he could have just made a ton more movies if he hadn't been doing the show."
Steve Carell’s character in The Office
Steve Carell portrayed the character of Michael Scott in the series. For most of the series, Michael plays the role of regional manager for the paper company Dunder Mifflin, located in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Throughout much of the series, Michael serves as the regional manager of the paper firm Dunder Mifflin's Scranton, Pennsylvania. Even though he is portrayed as gentler and is occasionally seen to be effective at his work at crucial circumstances, he mainly appears as an incompetent, unproductive, and unprofessional boss, much like his counterpart in the original British version of the program, David Brent.
The extended episode "Goodbye, Michael" at the end of the seventh season shows him marrying human resources representative Holly Flax and moving to Colorado with her. After that, he doesn't return until the series' conclusion.
Also read: Who does Michael End Up with in The Office?
FAQs about Steve Carell in The Office
A. Steve Carell was replaced by James Spader in The Office.
A. Yes, according to their contracts and SAG-AFTRA agreements, the actors from The Office do receive residuals for their work on the show.
A. Steve Carell returned to The Office as a guest star in the final season of the series.
A. Yes, Steve Carell is the richest cast member in The Office with a net worth of $80 million. He was getting paid $175,000 per episode from the third season of the series.
