The Office Cast: Where Are They Now?

The surprisingly deep Phyllis Vance is played to perfection by the distinctively voiced Phyllis Smith, but it wasn’t supposed to be that way. Smith, an experienced casting agent, had the role designed specifically for her after the show’s writers felt that she’d fit into the ensemble, and her career trajectory has shifted from there.

Smith appeared in sitcoms The Middle and Trophy Wife following The Office, and brought a similar schtick to that of her best known character. In something of a departure, she then went on to enjoy a starring role in the first two seasons of Netflix’s cult mystery show The OA. Smith played high school teacher Betty Broderick-Allen in the engaging drama.

Her best post-Office work, however, has to be Pixar’s brilliant Inside Out. Set primarily inside a child’s head, Smith voices Sadness, and is essentially one of the film’s co-leads alongside Amy Poehler. Smith gives an abundance of gravitas and texture to the role, and is one of the highlights of the Oscar nominated film, winning an Annie Award for her work.