That '70s Show

The Office Star Who Had A Bit Role On An Episode Of That ’70s Show

“The Office” — which is easily one of the best and funniest sitcoms of recent years — works so well, in part, because of its strong ensemble cast. After all, the show wouldn’t be the same without the hilarious rivalry between Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) and Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), or the one-way acrimony that Michael Scott (Steve Carell) has toward Toby Flenderson (Paul Lieberstein). Plus, of course, there’s the will-they-won’t-they chemistry between Jim and Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) as well as the strange romantic energy between Dwight and Angela Martin (Angela Kinsey). Then there’s Stanley Hudson, played by Leslie David Baker, who doesn’t interact with everyone else too much unless he has to, but whose frustration with Michael leads to some of the most hilarious moments of the show — namely, “DID I STUTTER?”

 

But before Baker made his way to his iconic role of Stanley on “The Office,” he had a minor role in another popular sitcom: “That ’70s Show.” Yep, Baker appeared in one episode of “That ’70s Show” back in 2001, four years before “The Office” made its premiere on NBC. And it may be a small role, but it’s a memorable one — especially for fans of “The Office.”

Leslie David Baker played a janitor on That ’70s Show
Fox
Leslie David Baker appeared in Season 3, Episode 24, titled “Backstage Pass,” of “That ’70s Show” in 2001. The episode sees the friend group going to a concert together thanks to Donna’s (Laura Prepon) job at the radio station — although once they get there, Donna gets to go backstage, which leads to Eric (Topher Grace) feeling left out.

In Baker’s scene, Eric is shown sitting by himself in the stands and complaining about Donna, saying, “It’s not just tonight, you know? Yeah, she’s been blowing me off more and more and she thinks I’ll take it but I won’t!” The camera then pans out to reveal that Eric has been lamenting to none other than the janitor, Baker’s character. The janitor looks at him stoically and then, in a deadpan voice, says, “Can you lift your feet, please?” He then informs Eric that he should stop talking to himself because he doesn’t care about his story.

It lasts all of about 30 seconds, but with the deadpan nature of the janitor, it sure is easy to see how he ended up playing Stanley on “The Office.”

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