Claim: Rainn Wilson began acting at the University of Washington.

Rainn Dietrich Wilson -LSB- reɪn_ˈdiːtrɪk_ˈwɪlsən -RSB- -LRB- born January 20 , 1966 -RRB- is an American actor , comedian , writer , director , and producer . He is best known for his role as Dwight Schrute on the American version of the television comedy The Office .   A native of Seattle , Washington , Wilson began acting in college at the University of Washington , and later worked in theatre in New York City after graduating in 1986 . Wilson made his film debut in Galaxy Quest -LRB- 1999 -RRB- , followed by supporting parts in Almost Famous -LRB- 2000 -RRB- , Steven Soderbergh 's Full Frontal -LRB- 2002 -RRB- , and House of 1000 Corpses -LRB- 2003 -RRB- . He also had a recurring part as Arthur Martin in the HBO series Six Feet Under from 2001 to 2006 .   Wilson was cast as Dwight Schrute in The Office in 2005 , a role which he would play until the show 's conclusion in 2013 . Other film credits include a lead roles in the comedies The Rocker -LRB- 2008 -RRB- and Super -LRB- 2010 -RRB- , and supporting roles in the horror films Cooties -LRB- 2014 -RRB- and The Boy -LRB- 2015 -RRB- .   In addition to acting , Wilson published an autobiography , The Bassoon King , in November 2015 , and also co-founded the digital media company SoulPancake in 2008 .