Who is Kevin Malone in The Office?

Show

The Office

Played by

Brian Baumgartner

First episode

“Pilot”Season 1, Episode 1, aired March 24, 2005

Role

Main cast

Network

NBC

Occupation

Accountant, Dunder Mifflin Scranton

Show run

2005 to 2013

Kevin Malone is the big-hearted, childlike member of the Dunder Mifflin Scranton accounting department, happiest when there is candy, a bet, or a party involved. Played by Brian Baumgartner, he is behind some of the show's most beloved physical comedy.

On The Office, Kevin Malone's story runs through Oscar Martinez (Fellow Accountant), Angela Martin (Fellow Accountant), Michael Scott (Boss), Dwight Schrute (Later Boss), and Jim Halpert.

Who is Kevin Malone?

Kevin works in accounting alongside Angela and Oscar, though numbers are not exactly his strength. In "Scott's Tots," Michael reveals that Kevin originally applied to work in the warehouse and was hired as an accountant on a hunch. He fills his days with snacks, jokes, and gossip, and he is usually the first to cheer for anything that gets the office out of real work.

Outside the office Kevin has surprising skills. He plays in Scrantonicity, a Police tribute band, and in "Casino Night" he reveals that he once won a World Series of Poker tournament event, which makes him the most dangerous card player in the building.

Personality and comedy

Kevin's humor is gentle and goofy. He giggles at innuendo, takes jokes literally, and treats food with total seriousness. His slow, deep voice inspires Oscar to make a video comparing him to Cookie Monster in "Secretary's Day," which Kevin does not find nearly as funny as everyone else does.

He is also more perceptive than people expect. In "Trivia" Andy steers him onto the so-called Hail Mary team, which surprises everyone by winning the contest, with Kevin answering question after question. Kevin is rarely cruel, and on Michael's last day, when Michael tears up an unkind going-away caricature and promises him he will be thin and find love someday, Kevin calmly says he is fine with who he is.

Key storylines

In season two Kevin gets engaged to his girlfriend Stacy, but by "Chair Model" in season four she has broken it off. When Holly Flax arrives as the new HR representative, Dwight convinces her that Kevin has an intellectual disability, and her careful praise leaves Kevin sure she is flirting with him. In "Casual Friday" he carries his famous homemade chili into the office and spills the entire pot across the carpet.

In season nine Kevin overhears Oscar's secret about Angela's husband and struggles to keep it. The finale reveals that Dwight fired him after the documentary aired, and that he had been covering his accounting mistakes for years with an invented number called "Keleven." He now owns a bar, where he and Dwight make peace before the wedding.

Behind the scenes and legacy

Brian Baumgartner first auditioned for the role of Stanley before he was cast as Kevin. He later directed the season eight episode "After Hours." In 2020 he hosted the Spotify podcast An Oral History of The Office, followed in 2021 by The Office Deep Dive, both built on interviews with former cast and crew.

The chili scene became one of the most seen moments of the whole series, and Baumgartner paid tribute to it in a real Bush's Baked Beans commercial that aired on National Chili Day. Kevin remains a fan favorite for his sweetness and his unforgettable cold opens.

Kevin Malone: frequently asked questions

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