Ryan Bailey Howard is a fictional character in the American television series The Office. He is portrayed by B. J. Novak. Novak also served as a writer, director, and executive producer for the show. He is based on the character Ricky Howard from the original British version of The Office, as well as Neil Godwin during the fourth season. He is one of the main characters in seasons 1-8 and is a guest character in season 9. The name is a tribute to the Philadelphia Phillies' starting first baseman during the series' first run.
B. J. Novak as Ryan Howard.
Ryan's desk on the set of the show in 2009
Ryan's new look, beginning in season 6.
The Office (American TV series)
The Office is an American mockumentary sitcom television series based on the 2001–2003 BBC series of the same name created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Adapted for American television by Greg Daniels, a veteran writer for Saturday Night Live, King of the Hill, and The Simpsons, the show depicts the everyday work lives of office employees at the Scranton, Pennsylvania, branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, and aired on NBC from March 24, 2005, to May 16, 2013, with a total of nine seasons consisting of 201 episodes. The show was co-produced by Daniels' Deedle-Dee Productions and Reveille Productions, in association with Universal Television. The original executive producers were Daniels, Gervais, Merchant, Howard Klein and Ben Silverman, with numerous others being promoted in later seasons.
Steve Carell, who plays lead character Michael Scott
The Office starring cast at the beginning of the third season. Characters, from left to right: Phyllis Lapin-Vance, Toby Flenderson, Jim Halpert (seated), Oscar Martinez, Pam Beesly, Angela Martin, Kelly Kapoor (seated), Ryan Howard, Creed Bratton, Michael Scott, Meredith Palmer, Kevin Malone, Dwight Schrute (seated), Jan Levinson, Stanley Hudson, and Roy Anderson
The Pennsylvania Paper & Supply Company tower, shown during the opening credits
Steve Carell was nominated for six Emmys for his role as Michael Scott