Mindy Kaling and BJ Novak: A Friendship That Keeps Fans Guessing
Source: Gilbert Flores / Getty
Mindy Kaling and BJ Novak have one of Hollywood’s most intriguing relationships.
From co-stars to best friends (and maybe something more?), their dynamic has fascinated fans for years.
Here’s a look at their history, rare photos, dating rumors, and how they continue to support each other’s careers.
From ‘The Office’ to Real Life Friendship
Kaling and Novak met on the set of The Office in 2004, where they played the on-again, off-again couple Kelly Kapoor and Ryan Howard.
Their onscreen chemistry reflected their real-life relationship—one that Novak has called “complicated” and Kaling has described as “romantically charged.”
While they did date at various points, they eventually settled into what Novak calls a “best friendship” that has lasted for over two decades.
Are Mindy Kaling and BJ Novak Dating?
Despite years of speculation, the two have consistently denied being in a romantic relationship.
However, their bond remains strong.
Novak is the godfather to Kaling’s two children, fueling more rumors about their closeness.
In multiple interviews, Kaling has stated that she loves Novak, but their relationship doesn’t fit into a traditional label.
Career Collaborations and Public Appearances
Beyond The Office, Kaling and Novak have continued to collaborate creatively.
Novak appeared in The Mindy Project, and Kaling has supported his book and directorial projects.
The two frequently attend public events together, from red carpets to award shows, keeping fans intrigued about the nature of their bond.
Check out photos of them below!
1. US-ENTERTAINMENT-CELEBRITY-HWOF-KALING
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(L-R) US actor B.J. Novak speaks at Mindy Kaling Kaling’s (R) Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony in Hollywood, California, on February 18, 2025. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) photography,people,horizontal,usa,actor,california,hollywood – california,american culture,ceremony,human interest,walk of fame,mindy kaling,b.j. novak
2. LA Premiere Of Amazon Studio’s “Late Night” – Arrivals
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: Mindy Kaling (R) and B. J. Novak attend the LA premiere of Amazon Studio’s “Late Night” at The Orpheum Theatre on May 30, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage) photography,celebrities,people,arts culture and entertainment,attending,horizontal,usa,topix,waist up,film industry,california,city of los angeles,two people,night,film premiere,red carpet event,mindy kaling,premiere event,b.j. novak,late night – 2019 film,orpheum theatre – los angeles
3. 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones – Arrivals
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BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 09: B.J. Novak and Mindy Kaling attend the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 09, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Toni Anne Barson/WireImage) vertical,photography,celebrities,formalwear,evening gown,arts culture and entertainment,attending,strapless,usa,film industry,blue,california,dress,fashion,shoe,strapless dress,bow tie,tuxedo,floor length,long dress,performing arts event,entertainment event,gold colored,vanity fair,vanity fair oscar party,sleeveless dress,black shoe,blue dress,white shirt,mindy kaling,sleeveless,oscar party,white color,black color,beverly hills – california,wallis annenberg center for the performing arts,dark blue,2020,tuxedo suit,b.j. novak
4. Los Angeles Premiere Of The New HBO Max Comedy Series “The Sex Lives Of College Girls”
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 10: Mindy Kaling and B. J. Novak attend the Los Angeles Premiere Of The New HBO Max Comedy Series “The Sex Lives Of College Girls” at Hammer Museum on November 10, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for HBO) color image,photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,attending,horizontal,usa,waist up,california,city of los angeles,two people,new,humor,hbo,mindy kaling,hammer museum – los angeles,premiere event,b.j. novak
5. “Vengeance” Los Angeles Premiere – Red Carpet
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B. J. Novak and Mindy Kaling at the Los Angeles premiere of “Vengeance” at the Ace Hotel on July 25, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images) color image,photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,arrival,movie,film industry,film screening,california,city of los angeles,film premiere,red carpet event,mindy kaling,ace hotel downtown los angeles,focus features,premiere event,b.j. novak,film and television screening
6. Los Angeles Premiere Of Focus Features’ “Vengeance”
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 25: Director B.J. Novak and actor Mindy Kaling attend the Los Angeles Premiere of “Vengeance” at Ace Hotel on July 25, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images) color image,photography,celebrities,people,arts culture and entertainment,attending,horizontal,usa,waist up,actor,film industry,california,city of los angeles,two people,film director,film premiere,red carpet event,mindy kaling,ace hotel downtown los angeles,premiere event,b.j. novak
7. 74th Primetime Emmys – Show
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) Mindy Kaling and B. J. Novak speak onstage during the 74th Primetime Emmys at Microsoft Theater on September 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) vertical,photography,celebrities,people,full length,arts culture and entertainment,usa,theatrical performance,california,city of los angeles,talking,two people,emmy awards,mindy kaling,stage – performance space,b.j. novak,74th annual primetime emmy awards,peacock theater – los angeles
8. HBO Post-Emmy Awards Reception – Red Carpet
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Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak at the HBO Post-Emmy Awards Reception held at San Vicente Bungalows on September 12, 2022 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images) color image,photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,arrival,california,west hollywood,event,red carpet event,annual primetime emmy awards,emmy awards,mindy kaling,b.j. novak
9. 2013 Met Costume Institute Gala, New York
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BJ Novak (L) and Mindy Kaling attend the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2013 Costume Institute Gala featuring the opening of the exhibit Punk: Chaos to Couture. (Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,arts culture and entertainment,attending,usa,new york city,gala,exhibition,chaos,opening event,art museum,punk – person,mindy kaling,metropolitan museum of art – new york city,b.j. novak
10. Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Los Angeles, USA – 26 Feb 2017
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Mindy Kaling and BJ Novak (Photo by Tyler Boye/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,arts culture and entertainment,usa,california,city of los angeles,mindy kaling,b.j. novak
11. Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Los Angeles, USA – 26 Feb 2017
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Mindy Kaling and BJ Novak (Photo by Tyler Boye/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images) color image,photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,california,city of los angeles,mindy kaling,b.j. novak
12. 92nd Annual Academy Awards, Roaming Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA – 09 Feb 2020
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B. J. Novak and Mindy Kaling (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images) color image,photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,annual event,mindy kaling,b.j. novak,92nd annual academy awards
13. 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones – Inside
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BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: EXCLUSIVE ACCESS, SPECIAL RATES APPLY. B.J. Novak and Mindy Kaling attend the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/VF23/WireImage for Vanity Fair) vertical,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,attending,usa,california,annual event,entertainment event,vanity fair oscar party,applying,mindy kaling,oscar party,beverly hills – california,wallis annenberg center for the performing arts,b.j. novak,2023,95th annual academy awards
14. 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones – Inside
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BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: EXCLUSIVE ACCESS, SPECIAL RATES APPLY. (EDITOR’S NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white. Color version is available.) B. J. Novak and Mindy Kaling attend the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/VF23/WireImage for Vanity Fair) photography,celebrities,people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,california,two people,black and white,annual event,entertainment event,vanity fair oscar party,applying,mindy kaling,oscar party,beverly hills – california,b.j. novak,95th annual academy awards
15. 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones – Arrivals
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BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: 2023 Mindy Kaling, B. J. Novak arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/FilmMagic) vertical,photography,celebrities,formalwear,evening gown,arts culture and entertainment,usa,arrival,film industry,california,dress,sequin,fashion,award,annual event,silver colored,bow tie,tuxedo,awards ceremony,shirt,entertainment event,vanity fair oscar party,sleeveless dress,sweetheart neckline,prabal gurung – designer label,sequin dress,silver dress,white shirt,mindy kaling,sleeveless,oscar party,white color,black color,beverly hills – california,wallis annenberg center for the performing arts,tuxedo suit,b.j. novak,95th annual academy awards
16. 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones – Arrivals
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BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: B.J. Novak and Mindy Kaling attend the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jemal Countess/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,attending,usa,theatrical performance,california,entertainment event,vanity fair oscar party,mindy kaling,oscar party,beverly hills – california,wallis annenberg center for the performing arts,radhika jones,b.j. novak,2023
17. Miami Marlins v Boston Red Sox
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BOSTON, MA – JUNE 27: Actors Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak pose for a photo with Wally and Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascots before a game between the Miami Marlins and the Boston Red Sox on June 27, 2023 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) color image,photography,people,full length,horizontal,usa,actor,sport,baseball – sport,two people,boston – massachusetts,match – sport,massachusetts,boston red sox,mascot,photo shoot,physical position,fenway park,miami marlins,mindy kaling,american league baseball,national league baseball,b.j. novak
18. Miami Marlins (10) Vs. Boston Red Sox (1) at Fenway Park
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Boston, MA – June 27: Celebrities Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak hang out with Wally the Green Monster before the game. The Red Sox lost to the Miami Marlins, 10-1. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,sport,baseball – sport,leisure activity,boston – massachusetts,match – sport,massachusetts,boston red sox,mindy kaling,american league baseball,b.j. novak,wally the green monster
19. Vanity Fair Oscar Party – Arrivals
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Mindy Kaling and B. J. Novak at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 27th, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,arts culture and entertainment,arrival,movie,fashion,event,annual event,red carpet event,entertainment event,vanity fair oscar party,academy awards,mindy kaling,oscar party,beverly hills – california,wallis annenberg center for the performing arts,b.j. novak
20. Mindy Kaling Honored With A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
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Mindy Kaling, B.J. Novak at the ceremony honoring Mindy Kaling with a Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame on February 18, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images) color image,photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,topix,california,hollywood – california,ceremony,walk of fame,bestpix,mindy kaling,b.j. novak
21. Actress Mindy Kaling Honored With Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
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HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 18: (L-R) B. J. Novak and Mindy Kaling speak onstage during Mindy Kaling’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony on February 18, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,people,arts culture and entertainment,usa,film industry,theatrical performance,california,two people,hollywood – california,ceremony,walk of fame,mindy kaling,stage – performance space,b.j. novak
22. Mindy Kaling Honored With A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
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Mindy Kaling, B. J. Novak at the ceremony honoring Mindy Kaling with a Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame on February 18, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images) color image,photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,california,hollywood – california,ceremony,walk of fame,mindy kaling,b.j. novak
