Brian Baumgartner Talks His ‘Humbling’ Cameo Career and His Passion for Cooking Chili [Exclusive]
Brian Baumgartner is known to many as The Office chili-spiller Kevin Malone. Today, the actor is one of the top earners on Cameo and regarded as the host of three podcasts, two about the NBC comedy series and one about comedy shows in general. Showbiz Cheat Sheet connected with Baumgartner through the Cameo app to talk about his partnership with the brand, National Chili Day, and his passion for cooking chili.
‘The Office’ actor is celebrating National Chili Day with Cameo
As the man who played Kevin Malone, known for notoriously spilling an entire pot of chili in the reception area of Dunder Mifflin, there’s no better brand alignment than Baumgartner’s partnership with Bush’s Baked Beans. Last year, Baumgartner came up with the “No Spilly Chili Pot.” This year, he partnered with Bush’s and Cameo to do meet-and-greets with fans to talk about The Office and chili, among other things.
Cameo is a ‘humbling’ experience for Brian Baumgartner
As the #1 most requested celebrity on Cameo, 10 fans got to virtually share a cup of chili with Brian through 1:1 Cameo Calls video sessions to celebrate National Chili Day this year. During our Cameo call, The Office actor talked about the “incredible” experiences he’s had with fans while using the app.
“[Using Cameo] is not about me,” Baumgartner explained. “It is truly about the connection that two people are trying to have with each other.”
From parents trying to connect with their children to couples looking to surprise their loved ones, Cameo is all about making a connection. Baumgartner’s fans typically have a connection around The Office that they’re looking to celebrate through the video app. He’s even been part of multiple engagements; something Baumgartner thinks he should go down in the Guinness Book of World Records for (jokingly, of course).
“I don’t feel like it’s about me,” he elaborated on our video call. “It’s about a connection one person wants to have with another person.” That person could be in the hospital or serving overseas, or even someone who can’t make it home for the holidays. Regardless, Baumgartner says helping create those connections is “very humbling.”
‘The Office’s Brian Baumgartner really enjoys cooking chili
In one of the most anxiety-inducing cold opens on The Office, Kevin Malone spills a giant pot of his famous chili all over the reception area. As Baumgartner mentioned in episodes of An Oral History of The Office and The Office Deep Dive, he nailed the take in one shot.
In reality, the actor really does enjoy cooking, especially chili. This year, his two worlds collided when the opportunity to partner with Bush’s and Cameo came about.
“I have — for a long time — been passionate about cooking,” said Baumgartner. “It is something that I do. Over the last 10 years, I have been passionate about cooking chili as well. So it’s yeah, I’m really excited about [this partnership].”
Baumgartner is still available for bookings on Cameo. Plus, hear more from Baumgartner in the Off The Beat podcast, available wherever you stream podcasts.
