For Ellie Kemper, the cat is out the bag after it was revealed on national television that she’d gotten engaged to her long term boyfriend Michael Koman. The actress actually announced the news herself to Conan O Brien on his show ‘Conan’ last night (December 7, 2011).
In the same segment Kemper also admitted that not all of her family had warmed to the writer, telling O’Brien of an incident that occurred during dessert at one Thanksgiving. “There was a pumpkin pie and a pecan pie out, and my grandpa said, ‘Ellie, what kind of pie are you gonna have?’” she explained, “And I said, ‘I don’t know, grandpa. They both look really good. I think I’ll have pecan.’ He said, ‘Are you sure, Ellie? Because it’s okay to keep your options open. You don’t have to settle on a pie right now. I think Michael started to squirm!” We trust that everyone is on good terms now ahead of the as-yet-to-decided wedding date.
Let’s start off with Bridesmaids. It’s such a huge, huge hit. You’re now kind of billed as Ellie Kemper from Bridesmaids and The Office, which are two big things. Did you think that the film was going to be such a vehicle for that kind of success when you started?
I am so—I know everyone says this—but I am so lucky to have been a part of that movie. I think, when we were making it, I wasn’t in charge of anything. I didn’t write it, I wasn’t producing it, I wasn’t directing it, so I sort of just got to have fun. I had fun during the whole process of it. The ladies on that movie are so generous, and so without any kind of ego or agenda. It really was just a pleasure to make that movie. So when making it, I personally wasn’t thinking, “Is this going to be a breakout? Is this going to be a blockbuster?” or whatever. Of course, we all hoped it did well. But the experience of making it was a lot of fun. And it was such a treat that it did really well. I lucked out being a part of that. Because like I said, I just—I’m not trying to sound guilty—I just got to have fun on that movie. It was really cool.
So how did you initially get involved? I know Paul Feig has worked on The Office as a producer. Is that the avenue that got you in?
Yeah, I think that it was Paul—who had directed and produced on The Office for many years. And then Allison Jones, who does the casting for The Office, she had also called me, and she did the casting on Bridesmaids. So those two were people I actually knew. As far as the other actresses in it, I hadn’t met anyone before. I hadn’t met the writers either. So obviously I got to know them from being [in the movie]. So I think that was how I got into the audition room.
Bridesmaids actress Ellie Kemper has joined the cast of 21 Jump Street.
The actress, who is best known for playing Erin Hannon in the US version of The Office, will play an “annoyingly sincere high school teacher”, according to Variety.
21 Jump Street is based on the US television series, which saw two cops forced to go undercover at a high school to fight crime.
Her character will have a crush on Channing Tatum’s Jenko, who has been paired with Jonah Hill’s socially awkward Schmidt.
Other cast members include Brie Larson (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) and James Franco’s younger brother Dave.
Johnny Depp, who starred in the original program, will appear in a cameo role in the comedy.
The big-screen adaptation of the US series will mark Hill’s directorial debut.
Kemper has previously worked with the comedy actor in Get Him to the Greek.
Hear from Brian Baumgartner, Ellie Kemper, Ed Helms and John Krasinski about what to expect this season and what will unfold for their characters in these interview clips.
Behind-the-Scenes with Brian Baumgartner
Brian Baumgartner talks about the early years of The Office.
Bridesmaids actress Ellie Kemper has joined the cast of 21 Jump Street.
