The beloved mockumentary sitcom The Office has had a ton of great guest stars, including Janine Poreba, who may not be a recognizable name but has an interesting connection to one of the show’s cast members. From 2005-2013, The Office delivered nine hilarious seasons of workplace hijinks, but romance was also a huge factor in the series. Whether it was Michael finding his wacky soulmate in Holly, or Dwight and Angela tying the knot after a tumultuous history, almost everyone at Dunder Mifflin had a relationship storyline.
Of course, by far the most beloved couple on The Office is Jim and Pam. They started as will-they, won’t-they co-workers before Jim finally asked Pam on a date at the end of season 3. Though their relationship had some obstacles, Jim and Pam got their happily ever after, complete with marriage and kids. Both fans and Dunder Mifflin characters alike were cheering their romance on every step of the way. Everyone, that is, except Toby Flenderson, the company’s HR rep and perennial sad sack. Toby had a crush on Pam — and that’s where Janine Poreba’s character comes in.
Janine Poreba Plays Toby’s Girlfriend Amy In The Office
Toby Tried To Use Amy To Make Pam Jealous
Janine Poreba had a small role as Amy, Toby Flenderson’s girlfriend, in two episodes of The Office. The first was an uncredited appearance in season 3’s “Phyllis’ Wedding” episode, in which Amy was Toby’s date at the titular event. Poreba didn’t have any lines, and was shown sitting in the pews with Toby. When Kevin sat next to them, he introduced himself, expressing surprise at Toby and Amy’s coupling, likely due to her beauty. Kevin doubts Toby’s story that he met Amy at the gym, implying he thinks she is paid company.
Amy had a bigger role in the two-part season 4 episode, “Dunder Mifflin Infinity”, in which she was introduced by her name and given a few lines of dialogue. This particular episode was a big one for The Office, as Jim and Pam were officially out as a couple, much to everyone’s joy and Toby’s chagrin. Toby spends most of the episode futilely trying to undermine the relationship, and uses Amy in his plans.
The HR rep brings her into work, introducing Amy as his girlfriend and passionately making out with her by the reception desk in front of Jim and Pam, in an attempt to make Pam jealous. It clearly doesn’t work, and this episode marks the last time Amy is ever seen or mentioned again.
Unfortunately, this became one of The Office‘s many deleted scenes, so Poreba’s only official appearance on the show is at Phyllis’ wedding. It would have been fun to incorporate Amy more into the show, perhaps with a subplot involving Kevin trying to find out the real story of Amy and Toby’s relationship. However, with such a large ensemble cast, there just wouldn’t have been time.
Poreba Is Actually Married To Toby Actor Paul Lieberstein In Real Life
She Married Lieberstein In 2008
If Amy seemed particularly affectionate with Toby in her Office scene, it’s a case of art imitating life, because Janine Poreba and Toby actor Paul Lieberstein are actually married. They were dating when they filmed Poreba’s The Office episode, and married on July 19, 2008, at Battery Gardens, a restaurant in New York City (via New York Times). The couple is still together, and they have no children. The marriage is Poreba’s first, and Lieberstein’s second
Interestingly, Poreba isn’t the only family connection Lieberstein has to The Office. Lieberstein’s sister, Suzanne Daniels, former president of programming for both YouTube Premium and MTV, is married to Greg Daniels, who developed The Office for NBC. They’ve been married since 1991. Meanwhile, Paul’s brother, Warren Lieberstein, was married to Angela Martin actress Angela Kinsey from 2000-2010. The Office certainly was a family affair for Paul Lieberstein, who, in addition to playing Toby, served as the sitcom’s showrunner from seasons 5-8.
Where Else You’ve Seen Janine Poreba
She Frequently Appears In Paul Lieberstein’s Projects
Janine Poreba doesn’t have an extensive filmography, but The Office is far from her only acting credit. Her first acting credit is “Girl” in Law & Order season 11, episode 9, “Whiplash”. From there, she’s mostly appeared in husband Paul Lieberstein’s projects. Poreba plays Tracey in Song of Back and Neck, Lieberstein’s 2018 directorial film debut. Interestingly, Poreba had a hand in inspiring Lieberstein to make the comedy film. He told Observer,
I had this awful back pain for over 20 years, and I saw everybody and did everything about it. Then my wife gave me this book and three days later, my back pain was gone for good. It wasn’t just about losing the pain. There was also an element of what that meant I had to believe from buying into it… which was stuff that I always shunned in the past, which was a mind-body connection thing. I always thought that was ridiculous, but all you have to really have to believe is that there is this connection.
In addition to Song of Back and Neck, Janine Poreba also played Derby in Lieberstein’s TV movie, Out of Office. Poreba’s most recent acting credit is “Office Mom Jane” in two episodes of Platonic, an Apple TV+ comedy series starring Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen. It’s unknown if Poreba will continue to act, but fans of The Office should definitely check out her deleted scene as Amy.
