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The Office character guide

Who is Darryl Philbin in The Office?

The cool, capable warehouse foreman at Dunder Mifflin Scranton who tolerates Michael's nonsense with a straight face, plays a mean keyboard, and quietly works his way up from the loading dock.

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Darryl Philbin's Sitcomdle clue card

The five clues the game shows when Darryl Philbin is the answer or a guess.

Show
The Office
Debut
2005
Network
NBC
Role
Main
Gender
Male

Darryl Philbin has not been a daily answer yet. Play today's Sitcomdle or play the The Office Wordle.

Show
The Office
Played by
Craig Robinson
First episode
“The Alliance”Season 1, Episode 4, aired April 12, 2005
Role
Main cast
Network
NBC
Occupation
Warehouse foreman, later Athlead executive
Show run
2005 to 2013

Darryl Philbin runs the warehouse below Dunder Mifflin Scranton, and he is usually the calmest, most sensible person in any scene with Michael. Played by Craig Robinson, he grows from a wisecracking foreman into one of the most ambitious employees in the building.

On The Office, Darryl Philbin's story runs through Andy Bernard (Friend), Kelly Kapoor (Ex-girlfriend), Michael Scott (Boss), Jim Halpert (Athlead Colleague), and Dwight Schrute.

Darryl Philbin from The Office: Sitcomdle character card

Who is Darryl Philbin?

Darryl is the foreman of the Scranton warehouse, where he takes safety seriously and has little patience for Michael's visits. He is divorced and devoted to his young daughter, Jada, who finally appears on screen in "Classy Christmas." He first turns up briefly in "The Alliance" and leads the warehouse team against the office in "Basketball" the following week.

Darryl is relaxed and funny with friends but sharp and businesslike at work. Over the years he gets tired of watching his good ideas go nowhere, and his push for a better job becomes one of the show's quieter success stories.

Personality and comedy

Darryl gets laughs by staying unbothered. He plays along with Michael's clumsy attempts to seem cool, teaching him made-up slang and handshakes, and he is not above teasing his boss when the moment is right. He is also a talented musician, and in season seven Andy recruits him and Kevin for a short-lived office band.

He is a good friend, especially to Andy, whom he comforts and steadies through several breakdowns, and he is honest with Michael in a way few other employees are.

Key storylines

Darryl goes to New York with Michael in "The Negotiation" to ask for raises, and in "Safety Training" he helps talk Michael down from the roof. He dates Kelly from season four into season five, until she leaves him for Ryan in "Business Trip." In "Employee Transfer" he drives Michael and Holly's belongings to Nashua and teaches a heartbroken Michael to sing the blues on the way home.

In season six's "St. Patrick's Day," CEO Jo Bennett is impressed by his shipping plan and gives him Jim's old office upstairs, and in season seven he goes over Michael's head with a sales idea that corporate loves. He applies for the manager's job after Michael leaves, becomes Andy's assistant regional manager in season nine, and then lands a job at Jim's sports marketing company after a rocky interview in "Suit Warehouse." By the finale he has helped open its new branch in Austin.

Behind the scenes

Craig Robinson trained in improv at The Second City in Chicago and is also a musician, and the show made use of both talents. His band, the Nasty Delicious, was featured in an episode, and Darryl's keyboard playing comes straight from Robinson.

Darryl was a recurring character in the first three seasons and joined the starring cast from season four on. He became one of the show's most grounded characters, the rare employee who actually gets ahead by working hard.

Key Darryl Philbin episodes

  1. “Basketball”Season 1, Episode 5Darryl's warehouse team takes on Michael's office squad, and the warehouse wins the standoff.
  2. “Safety Training”Season 3, Episode 20Darryl runs a warehouse safety session and helps talk Michael down from the roof.
  3. “Employee Transfer”Season 5, Episode 6Darryl helps move Holly to Nashua and teaches a heartbroken Michael the blues.
  4. “Costume Contest”Season 7, Episode 6Darryl takes his idea straight to corporate, and Michael is furious.
  5. “Classy Christmas”Season 7, Episode 11Darryl brings his daughter Jada to the office Christmas party.
  6. “Suit Warehouse”Season 9, Episode 11Darryl interviews at Jim's new company and gets the job.

Season and episode numbers follow the original broadcast order.

Darryl Philbin: frequently asked questions

Who plays Darryl Philbin in The Office?

Craig Robinson plays Darryl. He was a recurring player in seasons one through three and part of the starring cast from season four to the end.

When does Darryl first appear in The Office?

Darryl first appears briefly in "The Alliance," the fourth episode of season one, which aired April 12, 2005. He has a bigger role in the next episode, "Basketball."

Does Darryl leave Dunder Mifflin?

Yes. In "Suit Warehouse," the 11th episode of season nine, Darryl lands a job at Jim's sports marketing company, Athlead. By the finale he is working at its new office in Austin.

Who does Darryl date?

Darryl dates Kelly Kapoor from season four into season five, until she goes back to Ryan. In later seasons he pursues and dates warehouse worker Val.

Does Darryl have kids?

Yes. Darryl has a daughter named Jada. He mentions her often, and she first appears in the season seven episode "Classy Christmas."

Test yourself: Darryl Philbin quiz

5 questions about Darryl Philbin. Think of your answer, then open the reveal to check it.

  1. Question 1

    Which job does Darryl Philbin hold for most of the series?

    1. Accountant
    2. Warehouse foreman
    3. Quality assurance representative
    4. Customer service representative
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. Warehouse foreman

    Darryl runs the warehouse downstairs for years before moving upstairs into the office and eventually joining Jim at Athlead.

    See question 20 in the full quiz

  2. Question 2

    Who plays Darryl Philbin in The Office?

    1. Leslie David Baker
    2. Craig Robinson
    3. Hannah Simone
    4. Jeremy Swift
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. Craig Robinson

    Craig Robinson plays Darryl Philbin.

  3. Question 3

    In what year did Darryl Philbin first appear on The Office?

    1. 2005
    2. 2001
    3. 2003
    4. 2007
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 2005

    Darryl Philbin debuted in 2005, in "The Alliance" (Season 1, Episode 4). That year is the Debut clue in the game.

  4. Question 4

    Which episode was Darryl Philbin's first?

    1. "The Good Son"
    2. "The Alliance"
    3. "The Engagement"
    4. "Mow Better Blues"
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. "The Alliance"

    Darryl Philbin first appeared in "The Alliance," Season 1, Episode 4.

  5. Question 5

    Which best describes Darryl Philbin?

    1. Store manager, Cloud 9 Ozark Highlands
    2. Neighbor over the backyard fence
    3. George's mother, at home in Queens
    4. Warehouse foreman, later Athlead executive
    Show the answer

    Answer: D. Warehouse foreman, later Athlead executive

    Darryl Philbin: Warehouse foreman, later Athlead executive.

Take the full The Office quiz (30 questions)

Sources and corrections

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