Rainn Wilson of ‘The Office’ fame, on Fan Expo Portland appearance: ‘I really like to connect with fans’

For actor , best known for his role as Dwight Schrute in the classic comedy series, his upcoming appearance at this weekend’s is, among other things, a return to a familiar Northwest locale. “I was born and raised in Seattle, and my wife is from Portland,” says Wilson. “She’s got family around there, and we’ve got a cabin in Central Oregon.” who are expected to be on hand for the Fan Expo Portland convention, happening from Friday, Jan.

12, through Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Oregon Convention Center. The event features celebrity autograph sessions and photo opportunities, fans who dress in costume, gaming, and other events focusing on comics, anime, science fiction, animation, vendors, workshops and more. While some celebrities seem to make second careers of appearing at fan conventions, Wilson says, “I only do like two or three a year.

I really like to connect with fans. You get an opportunity to meet people who loved your work and are touched by it. It’s super fun to shake someone’s hand and say hello. I’m looking forward to coming out to Portland, it’s really one of my favorite cities in the world.” While Wilson is known for “The Office,” he has also appeared in, just to name a few, “Six Feet Under,” “The Meg,” “The House of 1,000 Corpses” “Star Trek Discovery,” “Dark Winds,” and lent his voice to several animated projects.

Wilson also starred as a gifted but complicated crime solver in the Fox series, “Backstrom,” which was “It was pretend Portland,” Wilson says, adding that “it still breaks my heart” that the series was canceled after one season, and didn’t have more time to develop the characters. Even with his variety of roles, Wilson says, the majority of people at fan conventions who want autographs or photos are fans of “The Office.” Which is hardly surprising, considering the series ran from 2005 to 2013 on NBC, found new fans in syndication, and even more fans when it streamed on Netflix, and “The thing I hear over and over again is how much that show meant to people,” Wilson says.

When asked if there might be a revival of the show, Wilson says, “I don’t see how there would be any more with our cast. I’ve always said to them, why don’t we do an ‘Office’ movie?” As a plot, Wilson suggests, Dunder Mifflin regional manager Michael Scott could be in prison. “He’s an actual ‘Prison Mike,’” Wilson says, referring to a memorable, cringeworthy moment from the show.

“He got arrested for throwing a bowling ball onto a train, and the whole gang goes to try and bail him out. That would be really fun.” Rainn Wilson is scheduled to appear at the Fan Expo Portland convention at 10:45 a.m. Jan. 13 for a conversation about “life before, during, and after Dunder Mifflin.” Wilson will also be on hand for photo ops at 12:30 p.m.

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