Rainn Wilson recently impressed fans as legendary radio personality Dr. Demento in 2022’s Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. However, one of the actor’s most celebrated roles will always be Dwight K. Schrute from NBC’s The Office. Dwight was a beet farmer who spent years as the Assistant to the Regional Manager at Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch.
The Office featured a hilarious cast of unforgettable characters, yet Dwight Schrute still stood out as one of the most unique employees of Dunder Mifflin. His interesting upbringing resulted in an altered perspective on the world that accounted for a lot of laughs on The Office. Dwight also had an inflated ego that led to many memorable quotes which could be both insulting and uplifting.
10 “How Would I Describe Myself? Three Words: Hardworking, Alpha Male, Jackhammer.”
Season 3, Episode 14, “The Return”
Dwight Schrute had an overwhelming drive to become the manager of Dunder Mifflin, though it was a long and rocky road filled with a few storylines that went absolutely nowhere. However, his goals seemed further away than ever when he chose to resign from Dunder Mifflin instead of exposing his secret relationship with Angela.
Dwight started to interview at a few jobs, giving some incredible answers that really highlighted the uniqueness of his character. When asked to describe himself, Dwight chose three very interesting words. Of course, his ego wouldn’t allow him to stop there, and he added on a couple for good measure: “Merciless. Insatiable."
9 "Why Are There So Many People Here? There's Too Many People On This Earth. We Need A New Plague."
Season 3, Episode 16, "Phyllis' Wedding"
The employees at Dunder Mifflin attended a few weddings over the course of the series, including one of the best relationships from The Office, Phyllis Lapin and Bob Vance of Vance Refrigeration. Phyllis asked Michael Scott to push her father down the aisle so that he approved her extended time off request. Scott then made the staff attend the wedding as he forced himself into every event.
Dwight Schrute initially didn't want to be at the wedding and made a surprising comment about needing a new plague. It's the type of comment that anyone who didn't know Dwight Schrute would be potentially mortified to hear, especially in today's climate. However, his coworkers knew that Dwight didn't have a filter for his sometimes logical albeit incompassionate opinions.
8 "The Eyes Are The Groin Of The Head."
Season 4, Episode 10, “Branch Wars”
Dwight revealed to viewers and his coworkers an unusual fascination with injuring eyes during an attempted prank on the Utica branch. When Stanley Hudson tried to bluff Michael Scott into a raise by switching to the Utica branch, Scranton's manager recruited Dwight and an unknowing Jim to start a branch war.
Long-time Dunder Mifflin employee Karen Filippelli was the new manager at the Utica branch. Jim wanted no part of Michael and Dwight's prank due to his past relationship with Karen, though he went along to make sure they kept it safe. When they went undercover to steal a copier, Dwight threatened to attack the eyes of a suspicious Utica employee, leading to his later explanation.
7 “It’s Better To Be Hurt By Someone You Know Accidentally Than By A Stranger On Purpose.”
Season 4, Episode 11, “Survivor Man”
While he was one of Dunder Mifflin’s most-celebrated salesmen, Dwight Schrute also took the security of the office very seriously. Despite the presence of a full-time security guard in the building, Dwight took it upon himself to protect his fellow co-workers as one of the perks of working at Dunder Mifflin.
When Michael Scott asked Dwight for a knife for a solo wilderness retreat, Dwight retrieved a collection from a hiding place in the office. He reasoned aloud while showing a few more hidden weapons. “People say ‘Oh, it’s dangerous to keep weapons in the home or the workplace.’ Well, I say, It’s better to be hurt by someone you know accidentally than by a stranger on purpose.”
6 “I’m Going Wherever They Value Loyalty The Most.”
Season 2, Episode 5, “Halloween”
Jim and Pam pranked Dwight in the first "Halloween" episode of the series. They posted their version of his résumé online, which made him question his position at Dunder Mifflin. He received a call back from a hiring manager and tried to use the new position as leverage for a raise. All while dressed as a Sith Lord from the Star Wars franchise.
"Would I ever leave this company? Look, I’m all about loyalty. In fact, I feel like part of what I’m being paid for here is my loyalty. But if there were somewhere else that valued loyalty more highly… I’m going wherever they value loyalty the most." Dwight has a unique grasp on the understanding of loyalty, as he has consistently tried to take over the branch or take down anyone above him.
5 "I Have A Wig For Every Single Person In The Office.”
Season 7, Episode 12, “Classy Christmas, Part 2”
“You never know when you're gonna need to bear a passing resemblance to someone." Dwight Schrute had already proven his willingness to keep weapons hidden around the office. However, fans soon learned he had a few other tricks up his sleeve as well.
When Jim Halpert threw a snowball at Dwight, he unknowingly kicked off a vicious snowball fight. Dwight disguised himself as Jim's wife Pam to unleash a new volley of snowballs. He then revealed to the cameras that he could disguise himself as other members of the office, resulting in a hilarious segment featuring Dwight in his various wigs.
4 “I Am Better Than You Have Ever Been Or Ever Will Be.”
Season 4, Episode 4, “Money”
When recently promoted executive Ryan Howard launched Dunder Mifflin’s new website, it came at a dark time in Dwight’s life. His relationship with Angela had fallen apart, and he was struggling to move on with his life. Jim and Pam overheard Dwight crying to himself at night when they stayed over at Schrute Farms' Bed & Breakfast in one of the weirdest episodes of The Office.
When Dwight arrived at work the next morning, Jim was concerned and asked if he was okay. In typical Dwight fashion, his reply not only flaunted his own greatness but also insulted Jim's failings at the same time. It was a cleverly put-together blow that hid the real pain Dwight was dealing with after losing Angela.
3 "Always The Padawan, Never The Jedi."
Season 7, Episode 20, "Michael's Last Dundies"
Dwight spent years serving as Michael Scott's right-hand man, even when he was secretly plotting to take over his job. When Michael Scott fell in love with Holly Flax and decided to leave Dunder Mifflin and move to Colorado, Dwight assumed he would take over upon his boss's recommendation.
Unfortunately, the same never occurred to the distracted Michael Scott, who didn't even turn in a suggestion to corporate for the new manager. Dwight was hurt, and as usual, he resorted to his love of sci-fi franchises to explain his feelings. Thankfully, he eventually made the jump from Padawan to Jedi when he gained the manager position in the final season.
2 “Would An Idiot Do That?”
Season 3, Episode 16, “Business School”
“And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing.” Dwight Schrute learned a lot from his mentor, Michael Scott. One of the greatest pieces of advice he said he ever received from Michael Scott was 'don't be an idiot.'
Dwight Schrute followed a new directive based on Michael Scott’s advice, which became one of the character’s most memorable quotes. Given the high amount of idiotic decisions that Dwight Schrute made over nine seasons of The Office, it doesn’t seem like his technique worked very well. But as always, Dwight’s incredible confidence helped sell it to the audience.
1 "I'd Say I Have Gotten Along With My Subordinates."
Season 9, Episode 25, "Finale"
When asked if Dwight felt he got along with his co-workers in the final episode of The Office, he quickly corrected the documentary crew. He finally achieved his long-sought-after role of manager, and now had subordinates. However, after a quick rephrasing and speech that broke the hearts of The Office fans, it's clear that a better correction would have been that he had a family instead.
"My supplier relations rep, Meredith Palmer, is the only person I know who knows how to properly headbang to Motörhead. Oscar Martinez, my accountant, is now godfather to my son. Angela Schrute, my former accountant, is now my wife. My top salesman, Jim Halpert, was best man at my wedding, and office administrator, Pamela Beesly-Halpert, is my best friend."