Steve Carell To Exit 'Office' For Good

Steve Carell has confirmed his departure from NBC’s hit sitcom The Office after its upcoming seventh season. His contract will expire next May. "I just think it’s time," Carell told E! Online. "I just thought it was time for my character to go … It doesn’t certainly mean the end of the show. I think it’s just a dynamic change to the show, which could be a good thing, actually."

Carell has won a Golden Globe and was nominated for four Emmys for his role as the Dunder Mifflin boss Michael Scott. Though his character may be leaving, Carell is confident this adjustment could be a positive for the show.  "I see it as a positive in general for the show," he said. “[The writers] have incorporated so many new characters and so many new, great storylines that I have no doubt it’ll continue as strong, if not, stronger than ever.” 

Carell got his start on The Office in 2005 before he rose to fame as the leading star of the award-winning comedy The 40 Year Old Virgin. He is currently promoting his new animation film Despicable Me in which he voices one of the main characters. The movie premieres July 9. – Natthakan Garunrangseewong