James Duncan Halpert[3] is a fictional character in the U.S. version of the television sitcom The Office, portrayed by John Krasinski.

[4][5] Scott would later play Ben Wyatt on NBC's Parks and Recreation, which was created by The Office's creator Greg Daniels and producer Michael Schur.

[8] Krasinski was ultimately chosen due to his chemistry with Jenna Fischer, who portrayed his co-worker and future wife Pam Beesly.

"[12] This outlook is most apparent in the elaborate pranks that he plays on his workmates, primarily Dwight, as well as his sarcastic remarks, facial expressions to the film crew and his provoking comments during employee meetings.

A major plot point throughout the series is Jim's relationship with Pam Beesly, who is engaged to Roy Anderson, a Dunder Mifflin warehouse worker.

Feeling bored with his job, tortured by his situation with Pam and guilty about a stack of complaints Dwight has lodged against him, Jim investigates a transfer to Dunder Mifflin's branch in Stamford, Connecticut.

In the season-three premiere "Gay Witch Hunt," it is revealed that Jim did transfer to Stamford, despite the fact that Pam has called off her wedding and he clearly still harbors intense feelings for her.

In "The Return," Jim decides to pull a prank on Andy; however, Karen is unable and Ryan unwilling to aid him, so he turns to Pam, who readily agrees.

However, Jim's relationship with Karen and pending interview for a corporate position which would require his relocation to New York City, still obstructing a potential romance.

Instead, he proposes during the season-five premiere, "Weight Loss," during a rainy last-minute lunch date at an Interstate rest stop between Scranton and New York City, where Pam is attending Pratt.

Jim and Pam keep in touch during her time at art school via webcam, instant messaging, and frequent phone calls.

Charles scoffs when Jim is invited to sit in on a meeting with David Wallace about the Michael Scott Paper Company.

He displays mild jealousy when he meets Danny Cordray, a superior paper salesman who went on a few dates with Pam while he was in Stamford.

Early in season 8, it is revealed that Jim will be a father for the second time as Pam is expecting a son, Phillip, who first appears in the episode "Jury Duty".

Jim also had to deal with a crush from co-worker Cathy Simms, who unsuccessfully tries to seduce him while they are part of the Sabre Store team in Tallahassee.

In "New Guys," Jim reveals that he was given an offer to help his friend start a sports marketing company in Philadelphia called Athlead.

Pam doesn't find out until "Andy's Ancestry," and although she is supportive, she is later concerned about Jim not having told her sooner and about how much money he has put into it.

Jim gets permission from David Wallace to take up the second job, and in "The Target" he convinces Stanley and Phyllis to agree to cover his duties on the days that he is away.

Jim's weekly commute to Philadelphia causes increasing strain on his marriage until in "Customer Loyalty," it comes to a head when he misses Cece's dance recital and then angrily blames Pam for not videotaping it.

He plans to quit Dunder Mifflin, but Dwight insists on firing him and Pam instead, so they can receive a generous severance package.

The cold open was actually filmed the previous season and recycled for the episode because John Krasinski was on location shooting a movie.

[13] In her article "Breaking Out of the First-Job Trap" for U.S. News & World Report, Liz Wolgemuth used Jim's character as a template for an essay on under-motivated, young college graduates.