Craig Robinson

From music teacher to icon of raunchy comedy

You might find it hard to picture, but Craig Robinson started out teaching music at a school in Chicago. That rhythm runs in his blood, and it's what lets him steal every scene he's in. He's not just the funny guy you recognize from his work with Steve Carell. He has built a career where improvisation and his effortlessly laid-back charisma have made him a top-notch supporting actor who has finally found his place as a leading man.

You're sure to have a soft spot for his role as Darryl Philbin in The Office, since he went from warehouse worker to the heart of the show without breaking a sweat. The great thing about Craig is that he didn't get stuck in Dunder Mifflin nostalgia. He used that momentum to team up with Seth Rogen's crew in comedy classics like Pineapple Express or This Is the End. He has a knack for delivering the crudest line with a poker face that leaves you in stitches, and in Hollywood, that's pure gold.

The Killing It breakout and his maturity on screen

Lately, we've really seen him shine in Killing It, a series that mixes social criticism with pretty dark humor and has proven he can carry a storyline on his own. He plays a guy trying to achieve the American Dream by hunting snakes, a crazy premise that fits him perfectly because he knows how to balance desperation with the well-timed joke. The show has worked so well that it has cemented him as an essential name in today's TV, moving him away from quick cameos and giving him the space he deserves.

But the actor doesn't live on looks alone, since his voice is one you recognize instantly. After the success of The Bad Guys, where he lent his voice to Piranha, he has stayed deeply involved in animation and voice work, taking part in sequels and new projects that make the most of his deep, laid-back tone. It's a goldmine he taps brilliantly because, between movies, he keeps touring with his band, The Nasty Delicious, mixing stand-up with funk anthems that will blow your mind.

Confirmed projects and what's coming up

What we're hearing about Craig Robinson confirms he has no intention of slowing down, not even a little. Besides continuing to expand the Bad Guys universe with new installments and specials, he has The Gumshoe in the works, a project that takes him back to the criminal comedy vibe he loves and where he feels right at home. You can tell he picks roles because he has a good time, and that comes through the screen, whether it's a big-budget production or an indie comedy romp with his longtime buddies.

The best thing about where he is right now is that he's stopped being "the guy from the office" and is simply Craig, a multitalented artist who can make you laugh until you cry at the piano or keep you glued to the couch in a comedy of errors. He's still that down-to-earth guy who seems like he's about to invite you for a beer at any moment, but with a career that many industry heavyweights would envy. If you're looking for a good time without pretense but with quality, anything with his name on it is a safe bet.