| Paul Lieberstein | |
|---|---|
 Lieberstein in 2008 |
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| Born | Paul Bevan Lieberstein February 22, 1967 |
| Occupation | Screenwriter Television producer |
| Writing period | 1994–present |
| Genres | Situation comedy |
| Notable work(s) | King of the Hill The Office (U.S. version) |
| Notable award(s) | 1999 Primetime Emmy Award 2006 Primetime Emmy Award 2006 WGA Award 2006 SAG Award 2007 Daytime Emmy Award |
| Spouse(s) | Janine Poreba (July 2008-Present) |
| Relative(s) | Susanne Daniels (Sister) Warren Lieberstein (Brother) Greg Daniels (in-law) Angela Kinsey (in-law) |
Paul Bevan Lieberstein (born February 22, 1967)[1] is an American screenwriter and television producer. An Emmy Award winner, he is most widely known as a writer, producer, and supporting cast member on the U.S. version of the sitcom The Office.
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Career
Lieberstein's first job in show business was as a writer on the television series Clarissa Explains It All, a job he won based on the strength of a spec script for The Simpsons that he co-wrote.[2] Following that he was a writer on Weird Science in 1994 and later on the sitcom The Naked Truth.
In 1997, he became a producer and writer on the animated sitcom King of the Hill. He also had brief stints as a writer/co-executive producer on The Drew Carey Show and The Bernie Mac Show. He was also a writer for the short-lived series Greg the Bunny and Dead Like Me.[3]
The Office
In 2005, producer Greg Daniels (with whom Lieberstein worked on King of the Hill) hired him as a co-executive producer and writer for the American remake of the British comedy The Office. He has written several episodes and co-wrote The Office: Accountants webisodes with Michael Schur.
Lieberstein made his directorial debut with the season four episode "Money".
In 2008, he recorded voiceovers for The Office DVD board game from Pressman Toy Corporation.[4]
Lieberstein plays the character Toby Flenderson on the U.S. version of The Office.
Acting
Lieberstein's acting career began in the first season, second episode (Diversity Day) of The Office. Lieberstein's role as the sad-eyed human resources director Toby Flenderson subsequently grew into a recurring role.
Dual cast-and-crew role
In a SuicideGirls interview, Lieberstein noted that "as an actor, which is just a very small percentage of me, I don’t feel Toby while I’m writing. It’s the hardest of the characters to access."[2] In an interview for his alma mater, Lieberstein commented on the bigger picture:[5]
| “ | When we are in pre-production, this is the best job in the world. Working 10 to 7, sitting around and brainstorming with the other writers, making things funnier and writing and rewriting scenes — that's as fun as it gets. Adding acting on top of all that makes for incredibly long, grueling days, sometimes 6 to midnight. But acting has its own rewards. Comedy becomes intensified in short scenes. Doing a scene with Steve Carell, trying to keep up with him, is as tough and fun and weird as any part of the process. | ” |
On June 12, 2008, Variety magazine reported that he would become another of the show's executive producers.[6]
The Office writing credits
Lieberstein has written the following episodes:[dated info]
- "Health Care" (April 5, 2005)
- "The Client" (November 8, 2005)
- "The Carpet" (January 26, 2006)
- "Dwight's Speech" (March 2, 2006)
- "The Coup" (October 5, 2006)
- "Cocktails" (February 22, 2007)
- "The Job" (May 17, 2007) (co-wrote with Michael Schur)
- "Money" (October 18, 2007) (also directed)
- "Goodbye, Toby" (May 15, 2008) (co-wrote with Jennifer Celotta)
- "Stress Relief" (February 1, 2009)
- "Company Picnic" (May 14, 2009) (co-wrote with Jennifer Celotta)
- "Gossip" (Sept 17, 2009)
Awards
Lieberstein's first Emmy Award was as a producer, sharing a 1999 Emmy for "Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less)" for his work on King of the Hill.
Lieberstein's work on The Office has resulted in numerous awards. In June 2007, Lieberstein shared in a Daytime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Broadband Program - Comedy", for his work on The Office: Accountants webisodes.[7] As an actor, Lieberstein shared in a 2006 Screen Actors Guild Award for "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series"; as a writer, he shared a 2006 Writers Guild of America Award for the series, in addition to a WGA Award nomination for "The Coup". As co-executive producer, he shared a 2006 Emmy Award for "Outstanding Comedy Series".
Personal life
Lieberstein grew up in Westport, Connecticut,[2] attending Staples High School. Afterwards, he attended Hamilton College, graduating in 1989[5] with a major in economics[5] (he "wanted to be a financier of some kind").[2] His first job after graduation was as an auditor at Peat Marwick International, a job that didn't last six months.[5] He followed that with part-time work in his father's law firm, "working as little as [he] could so [he] could write."[5]
His sister Susanne is a president at Lifetime Entertainment Services and is married to Greg Daniels.[2] His brother Warren was married to Angela Kinsey.
Lieberstein was married for a second time to Janine Poreba on July 19, 2008 at the New York City restaurant Battery Gardens.[8]
References
- ^ Paul Lieberstein at TV.com
- ^ a b c d e 2006 interview with Paul Lieberstein by Daniel Robert Epstein, at the SuicideGirls website
- ^ Writer credits from TV.com
- ^ The Office DVD board game from the Pressman Toy Corporation website
- ^ a b c d e Roll Credits, a profile of Lieberstein from the Hamilton College website
- ^ Aziz Ansari hired for 'Office' spinoff, a June 12, 2008 article from Variety magazine
- ^ 34th Annual Creative Arts & Entertainment Emmy Awards, from the Emmy Awards website
- ^ [1] New York Times Wedding Announcement
External links
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