Leslie David Baker

American actor (born 1958)

Leslie David Baker (born February 19, 1958) is an American actor. He is known for playing disgruntled paper salesman Stanley Hudson in The Office for nine seasons (2005–2013).

Baker was born on February 19, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Mendel Catholic College Preparatory High School in Chicago, Illinois in 1976. He holds a B. S. in psychology from Loyola University Chicago and an M. S. in human services administration from Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago. In Chicago, he worked for the Board of Education, the Department of Public Health, and the Office of Cable and Communications.

Quote box|text=I still have the nine to five experience without the nine to five responsibilities. In the nine to five world, you don't have anybody who has your breakfast waiting for you in the morning, or lays out your wardrobe, or styles your hair.|author=Baker on The Office "Did I Stutter?" (season 4, 2008) has a focus on Baker's character; as with many supporting actors on The Office, some of Baker's scenes became memorable to fans. Stanley is rarely, but sometimes, given a "soft side"; in "Stairmageddon" (season 9, 2013), Baker plays a tranquilized, and then giddy, Stanley. At the conclusion of the series, Stanley says he is happy to be living in retirement in Florida. He was part of the Office cast which won Screen Actors Guild Awards in the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series category in 2007 and 2008. In December 2017, after several former Office actors expressed interest in a revival of the series, The Hollywood Reporter Lesley Goldberg said of Baker, "Why wouldn't he return?!" Bustle said that he was "plenty busy with his other creative pursuits". The campaign raised $336,450 from 1,640 donors. In August 2023, the he released a statement saying the money will be refunded as the project remained stalled indefinitely following COVID delays and the ongoing WGA and SAG AFTRA strikes in Hollywood.

In 2001, Baker guest starred in That '70s Show in season 3's "Backstage Pass" as a janitor at the Ted Nugent concert. In November 2011, Baker released the song "2 Be Simple" with an accompanying music video which features Baker (credited as "Black Hugh Hefner") in a bath robe dancing with scantily clad women. "For reasons that remain unclear," wrote Jan Chaney of The Washington Post, "Baker has released a track destined to be the party anthem at all your yuletide throwdowns." Cameron Matthews called the song's hook "infectious" with lyrics that "totally [capture] the daydreams of a middle aged man in crisis." Baker appeared in Raven's Home as Principal Wentworth; previously, he had small parts in Scorpion and Life in Pieces. He also appeared in a January 2018 advertisement for FileMaker Inc., a subsidiary of Apple Inc., as a farmer alongside former Office actors Paul Lieberstein and Kate Flannery. In 2020 Baker starred in a series of commercials for Honey Nut Cheerios.

Year Title Role Notes 1998 Maggie Frank Episode: "Cats" 1999 Action Guard Episode: "Love Sucks" 2000 Judging Amy Uncle Vin Arlen Episode: "Waterworld" Malcolm in the Middle Cop Episode: "Halloween Approximately" 2001 That '70s Show Janitor Episode: "Backstage Pass" 2001–03 The Guardian Teddy Desica 3 episodes 2002 Just Shoot Me! Man Episode: "The Burning House" 2003 Malcolm in the Middle Customer Episode: "Stereo Store" Scrubs Surgery Patient Episode: "My Interpretation" 2004 Line of Fire Large Man Episode: "The Best Laid Plans" 2005–13 The Office Stanley Hudson 188 episodes 2006 The Office: The Accountants Stanley Hudson Webisode: "Stanley" 2008 Kevin's Loan Stanley Hudson Webisode: "Taste the Ice Cream" 2012 The Life & Times of Tim Al Sharpton's College Roommate Voice role; episode: "The Smug Chiropractor/Corporate Disaster" 2013 Key & Peele Benjamin Button Man Episode: “Meagan’s Fight” 2014 Marry Me Jake's Boss Episode: "Pilot" 2015 Officer Wilson Episode: "Requiem for a Dream" Austin & Ally Mr. Schxlumbraugh Episode: "Duos & Deception" 2016 Scorpion Judge Tanniston 2 episodes Still the King Curtis 9 episodes 2017 Life in Pieces Gavin Episode: "Chef Rescue Negotiator Necklace" Raven's Home Principal Wentworth 2 episodes Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television Captain Jackson #4 Episode: "Trafficking and the Traffic King" 2017–23 Puppy Dog Pals Rufus / Frank Voice role; recurring, 81 episodes 2019 Fam Mr. Kersey Episode: "It's Been A While" 2020–22 Doug Unplugs Uncle Forknick Voice role; 20 episodes 2021 Tom and Jerry in New York Mr. Piper Episode: "Telepathic Tabby/Shoe in/It's a Gift/Stormin' the doorman" 2022 Roar Johnny Spoons Episode: "The Girl Who Loved Horses"2023Fired On MarsHubert DanielsonVoice role; 5 episodes

Year Title Role Notes 2001 Road to Redemption Tow Truck Driver 2005 Elizabethtown Airport Security #2 Uncredited 2014 Wish I Was Here Audition Actor #1 2015 When Duty Calls Clyde Pierce Television film 2017 Fallen Stars Ron Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie Officer McPiggly Voice role 2018 The Happytime Murders Lt. Banning 2021Vivo Florida bus driver Voice role 2023 Hard Miles Skip Bowman 2024 Jackpot TBA Post production