EXCLUSIVE: Mindy Kaling and long-time pal B.J. Novak keep it casual as they grab dinner at members-only club in LA
Longtime friends Mindy Kaling and BJ Novak dined on Wednesday at San Vicente Bungalows, a private members-only club in West Hollywood.
The former Office stars, whose close friendship and romantic past have captivated fans for years, looked relaxed as they stepped out together.
Mindy, 44, smiled as she followed BJ out of the luxury hotspot.
She leaned into the crisp autumn air in a sharp black leather jacket, cropped jeans, with a lace top underneath her coat.
Her short shoulder-length hair was worn down and her look was accessorized with a gold chain necklace and chunky earrings.
Catching up! Close friends Mindy Kaling and BJ Novak dined at San Vicente Bungalows, an exclusive club in West Hollywood, on Wednesday
BJ looked smart in a black jacket, matching top and brown trousers. He slipped his feet into white sneakers and seemed to be carrying keys in his hand.
Mindy and BJ remained close friends after dating from 2005 to 2013.
The duo were actors and writers on The Office, where they played the love interests of Kelly Kapoor and Ryan Howard.
BJ presented Kaling with the Norman Lear Achievement Award at the Producers Guild Awards earlier this year, where he talked about their relationship and their time as writers.
“We were in love with each other, we were reckless idiots, and the two of us would fight about all these things forever (in the writers’ room),” he said.
He said their relationship was a “tumultuous, romantic, toxic, borderline mess”, which was noticed by producers who suggested they “have scenes together” because they were “pretty funny”.
When she appeared on stage to accept the award, Mindy told BJ: “He’s remained my closest friend throughout my career. He’s seen all the highs and lows, and that just means the world to me.’
“I’m so happy that my favorite writer is also my best friend.” I love you.’
Double trouble: The former Office stars, whose close friendship and romantic past have captivated fans for years, looked relaxed as they stepped out of the spotlight together
They have a history! Mindy and BJ remained friends after dating from 2005 to 2013
Fall fashion: Kaling opted for a black leather jacket and chunky loafers, while BJ donned a blazer and yellow trousers
Mindy and BJ poked fun at their ‘crazy complicated relationship’ last year when they took the stage at the 74th Emmy Awards to present the award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series.
“And to all the nominees, we just want to say, ‘Congratulations, you lazy sons of bitches.’ How do you get away with it?” Mindy joked.
“Eight episodes?” BJ said.
“We appeared during the network series, 22 episodes a year,” Mindy said.
Smart: She layered up against the crisp autumn air in a sharp black leather jacket, cropped jeans, with a lace top underneath her coat
Proud: BJ presented Kaling with the Norman Lear Achievement Award at the Producers Guild Awards earlier this year, where he spoke about their relationship and their time as writers
Office romance! The duo were actors and writers on The Office, where they played the love interests of Kelly Kapoor and Ryan Howard.
“And that play, which would take up your whole life. There is no time for other projects’, continued BJ.
“There is no time for a social life.” You had no choice but to form insanely complicated relationships with your co-stars,” Mindy said.
“That’s right,” BJ agreed before they announced that Mike White had won for his work on White Lotus.
BJ is also godfather to Mindy’s two children, Katherine Swati, five, and Spencer Awa, three.
Last year, she appeared to dispel rumors that Novak is the father of her two children during an interview with Marie Claire. When asked about gossip , she replied: ‘I don’t mind.’
Mindy continued: ‘He’s godfather to both my kids – and they have such a great relationship – and so far (the speculation hasn’t) affected my happiness at all, it hasn’t affected my kids or BJ.’
She added: ‘If that’s what’s going to upset people, I’ll take it.’