Jenna Fischer

As Pam Beesly, the mild-mannered receptionist, doe-eyed optimist and love interest to slacker Jim Halpert on "The Office" (NBC, 2005-2013), actress Jenna Fischer carved out a niche as one of the most beloved television characters of the 2000s. Fischer, who worked as an office temp for five years while searching for her big break in Hollywood, made the deceptively complicated Pam all her own, bringing a refreshing Midwestern sensibility to the role. Her combination of charm, modesty and honesty clicked with audiences, some of whom saw a little bit of Pam Beesly in themselves. Prior to her breakout, Fischer bounced around episodic television with a series of guest appearances. While starring on "The Office," however, she landed higher profile work with ease, including featured roles in comedies like "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" (2007) and "Blades of Glory" (2007), as well as dramatic roles in films like the indie romance "Kiss Me" (2014). In short order, the Emmy-nominated actress became a household name whose career only promised better things to come.