Oscar Nuñez of ‘The Office’ fame makes a career pivot in new show, ‘The Paper’

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Oscar Nuñez and I were enjoying our coffee outside in Larchmont Village’s coffee shop, when a parking enforcement officer approached us to inquire if a car with an expired meter was ours. Unfortunately, the owner of the vehicle seemed unaware, and it was Oscar who had to break the news about the ticket.

In my review, I’d say: “As Nuñez narrates with dramatic flair, the young woman, momentarily disheartened, swiftly recovers while driving away. It’s intriguing to ponder if she was oblivious to the fact that the man delivering the news was none other than a nine-season veteran on the iconic U.S. sitcom, ‘The Office’. This series, celebrated for its 20th anniversary this year, is renowned as one of the most successful and cherished sitcoms in television history.

The Emmy Award-winning actor, now 66 years old, has re-entered the realm of “The Office,” although not exactly as before. On the original series, he played Oscar Martinez, a straightforward, gay Latino man on Dunder Mifflin’s accounting team. Recently, he has once again been in front of the camera crew that documented his and his colleagues’ lives for nearly a decade in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

In “The Paper,” a fresh comedy series created by Greg Daniels, now available on Peacock, Martinez finds himself relocating to Toledo, Ohio, where he takes up a job as an accountant at the struggling local newspaper, The Toledo Truth Teller. However, when Ned Sampson (played by Domhnall Gleeson) assumes the role of editor-in-chief with the aim of reviving the ailing publication, Martinez gets an opportunity to showcase his refined background and transitions into becoming a reporter for arts and leisure.

According to Nuñez, the character is entertaining due to the numerous ways he can be portrayed. He’s capable of being sarcastic, which adds a humorous touch. Additionally, he can display seriousness when needed.

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Via email, Daniels notes that as Oscar Martinez delves into local politics in “The Office” finale, aiming to bring about positive change within his community, it became clear there was still potential for more storylines for this character. He suggests these new stories could unfold without revisiting any narrative threads the writers purposefully concluded.

In simpler terms, according to Daniels, Oscar Martinez’s character was filled with a strong sense of dignity and had little room for personal growth. Consequently, unlike many other characters in ‘The Office,’ Oscar’s personality did not undergo significant changes throughout the series.

In 2016, Nunez and Daniels reunited for the sci-fi comedy series “People of Earth.” During this show, Nunez portrayed a priest. As Daniels considers Oscar to be a reliable source of humor in any context, he found it exciting to have him serve as the connection between the two productions.

These qualities become evident to me when a server named Joe comes to take Nuñez’s order. The actor uses this moment to both acknowledge the service worker and mine it for humor. “Carlos, put Joe in the article!” says Nuñez, who is a regular at this establishment.

He jokingly says to the young man, “Alright, that’s been long enough,” and then adds, “Time to leave now. This situation is all about me! And there goes Joe.

Upon Daniels initially proposing the idea of Nuñez returning as Oscar Martinez for a fresh series, Nuñez readily accepted the offer with immediate enthusiasm. It’s clear that Nuñez views this role as an ongoing blessing that continually brings him contentment.

What stands out most about Oscar Martinez is that when I return home, I leave ‘The Office’ behind and simply live. However, we attend conventions occasionally, and there are often young people – children, teenagers, and individuals in their twenties – who approach me saying, ‘Hey, your character made a significant impact on me. I’m gay, and your role helped me find the courage to come out.’

Nunez, being a married, straight man with a teenage daughter, clearly understands the importance of the matter. He expresses that it is a deeply emotional situation for him.

By the year 2005, when Nuñez landed a role in “The Office”, he had been residing in Los Angeles for close to ten years, striving to establish himself as an actor. As he puts it, he was informed, and this turned out to be accurate, that breaking through in LA typically takes about a decade. Some people manage it sooner, but for Nuñez, it happened exactly at the ten-year mark.

Nunez, along with his artist mother (a dentist) and lawyer father, moved to the United States when he was only 3 years old, hailing from Cuba. Upon arrival, they made their home in New Jersey. Looking back, Nunez fondly recalls his late parents as individuals who had a deep affection for art, with a special interest in theater, opera, and ballet.

Following high school, Nuñez initially enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan with aspirations to be a fashion designer. However, he ended his studies after just one semester. Inspired by his mother, he shifted gears and began focusing on studying to become a dental technologist instead.

Nunez adopted the advice given, but after a short while, he decided to leave and devote himself fully to his long-held dream of acting and comedy. This decision was partially influenced by his childhood admiration for “The Carol Burnett Show.

After completing a drama course, he became part of an improv group named Shock of the Funny, situated in the Lower East Village. Upon moving to Los Angeles, he enrolled in the Groundlings, a renowned improv and sketch comedy school, all while holding various temporary jobs to manage his finances. Nuñez didn’t set a specific timeline for success, but understood that his career growth depended on him not getting sidetracked by the laid-back charm of Los Angeles as he pursued his goals diligently.

In Los Angeles,” he notes, “it’s effortless to simply head to the beach or socialize with friends, yet career advancement may take a backseat due to the relaxed atmosphere, making life feel like an enjoyable, leisurely journey.

Nunez recalls his day of auditioning for “The Office” as a fortunate one, attributing his success to the improv experience he gained at the Groundlings. He mentions that he had four auditions in a single day, which made the final one less nerve-wracking since he felt less pressure due to previous attempts. He suggests that going into an audition without desperation can be beneficial, as overeagerness might unconsciously hinder your chances.

Upon being requested to reprise their roles for the pilot, several actors from the supporting cast, including Nunez, were inquired if their characters might retain their genuine first names. It was during the filming of the second episode titled “Diversity Day” that Nunez believed the show had the potential to be a groundbreaking moment.

He remembers that when ‘The Office’ came along, he was juggling acting with babysitting, being a teacher’s aide, and waiting tables. However, during the first season, he decided to fully dedicate himself to acting, quitting his other jobs, which was an incredible feeling.

Upon revisiting “The Office” several years ago, Nuñez found that only a handful of episodes were less than exceptional, reflecting the series’ impressive overall quality and lasting influence. He stated, “Whenever you are, whether in a hotel or anywhere else, simply play any episode in any sequence and it remains hilarious.

In simpler terms, he claims that among all episodes where he appears, “Gay Witch Hunt” is his preferred one. This episode mainly focuses on the character Oscar Martinez. As for the episodes he didn’t participate in, he particularly admires “Dinner Party.

According to him, the television program we produced wasn’t a forgettable one. Instead, it was reminiscent of shows like ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show,’ ‘Cheers,’ or ‘Taxi.’

Television

As a die-hard fan, I recently had the thrill of joining Jenna Fischer and John Krasinski in a heartwarming conversation about “The Office” – the NBC sitcom that turned 20 years old! They reminisced about Pam and Jim’s love story, which continues to strike a chord, and shared some fascinating tidbits about the show props they got to take home as keepsakes. What an unforgettable experience for this dedicated fan!

Playing a Latino character on a popular, long-running television series brings Nuñez great pride, yet he views himself primarily as an actor above all else.

As a humor-driven performer, I proudly stand before my ethnicity – Cuban or Latino. Yet, these labels don’t define my craft; they merely enrich it. I crave comedic roles with an insatiable hunger that’s hard to ignore. Regardless of the character’s background, I implore you to consider me for your cast. If my performance falls short, so be it – but I promise, it will leave a lasting impression. If I don’t bag this role, rest assured that I’ll make it tough for you to dismiss me. And remember, I’ll be waiting in the wings for future opportunities.

In discussing the challenges faced by Latinos in Hollywood, set against a backdrop where minority groups haven’t always received fair treatment, he expresses a mix of feelings and provides insights into how representation in television and cinema is intertwined with larger social issues in the U.S.

it’s a nation that can be both incredibly discriminatory – as evidenced by instances where individuals might be unjustly stopped and even harmed by law enforcement – and yet also offers opportunities for immigrants to build successful lives. This contradiction, he calls it “the schizophrenia of this country”.

Nunez, claiming he’s cast a vote in every election since turning 18, finds himself disheartened by the rapid political shifts occurring during President Trump’s term, yet he perceives similarities to his Cuban ancestry’s experiences.

A person known for frequent lies, fearful of the media, and advocating for imprisonment of critics, who holds prejudiced views against homosexuality, science, and intellectualism; whenever issues arise, they claim to be the victim. The individual I’m referring to is Fidel Castro, according to him. This is why his parents left Cuba, and it’s quite absurd that we find ourselves in a similar situation today.”

By adjusting the sentence structure and using more formal language, the paraphrase aims to convey the same meaning while maintaining a natural and easy-to-read style.

Nunez, renowned for his iconic character Oscar Martinez who works as a journalist at Toledo Truth Teller, finds himself compelled to embody truth-telling in real life, particularly when it comes to the controversial issue of immigrant treatment in the United States. Aware that speaking out might not win him industry approval, he feels it’s unavoidable to delve into politics given the current circumstances.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve often pondered about those enigmatic detention facilities off-limits for public scrutiny. It’s downright bizarre! The irony lies in the fact that while such a pressing issue persists, conversations in our circle seem to revolve around other matters. This statement is particularly pertinent when considering the Latino community within our industry who, thus far, have remained unusually quiet on this subject.

Gilbert Trejo, co-founder of El Cine (established in 2017), expressed an idea suggesting that we function more like the labor force rather than the creative minds within the film industry.

In simpler terms, Nuñez stated, “George Lopez is vocal, but there are numerous big-name celebrities of Mexican or Latin origin with massive followings who remain silent. According to him, staying quiet isn’t beneficial for their community; instead, it supports MAGA and ICE policies, which he finds infuriating.

As our heartfelt conversation draws to a close, I can’t help but acknowledge the sensitive nature of discussing personal feelings in such a politically charged environment. After all, as an immigrant myself, I understand how politics often intertwines with our identities. Nuñez and I share a common bond in this regard, being immigrants in a complex political landscape.

Soon after, he heads out to fetch his daughter. By evening’s end, it appears that Nunez, like many others, is a caring parent and resident of Los Angeles, clinging to optimism that circumstances may one day improve.

In these ever-changing times, I find myself a father with a daughter. I truly hope she’ll learn to maneuver through this world successfully. I’m confident that she will.

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2025-09-09 21:33