The Office: 5 Facts You Don't Know About Phyllis

What secrets does the buxom saleswoman Phyllis from "The Office" hide behind that sweet smile? From her secret dance fetish to top-secret work at an aerospace defense corporation, Phyllis proves that nice girls can be seriously bad.

1. Go Team!
Close your eyes and imagine the lovely Phyllis as a hot St. Louis Cardinal cheerleader. Before she was making paper sales for Michael Scott, the Missouri native enjoyed shaking her pom-poms professionally. Phyllis' sexy moves doesn't end with professional cheerleading. In a previous acting life, Phyllis traveled with a burlesque show. Shake that thing, Phyllis!

2. The Phyllis Name Game
Confused about who plays Phyllis? The answer is: Phyllis! You might be surprised to find out that "The Office" character Phyllis Lapin is played by actress Phyllis Smith. Actress Phyllis Smith has starred in a number of TV shows, including "Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman," "Arrested Development," and "Spin City". She did such great job at her audition for "The Office" that the writers wrote her into the script, literally!

3. "Employee of the Year"
We are not talking about "Employee of the Year" for Dunder Mifflin. No, Ms. Phyllis earned Employee of the Year while taking notes at a top secrete defense company. Don't mess with Phyllis. She has friends in seriously high places.

4. "The Office" Fashionista
Most viewers would think that Kelly is the fashionista of the show, but only Phyllis has several year's experience working for JCPenny. Where else can someone learn how to clash as tastefully as she does? Big gaudy costume jewelry and clothing that looks like something your grandma wanted to donate to Goodwill is just how Phyllis rocks "The Office".

5. Top of the Class
What more can a kid want? A preschool teacher who was a former cheerleader and knows how to crack a joke? Look no farther than Phyllis Smith, who balanced her dancing career with work in education. Smith even earned an Education Degree from Tulsa University. Talk about some dedication to education!

From professional cheerleader to burlesque dancer to stand up comic, Phyllis Smith has done it all. Where she is heading next after the end of "The Office"? Somehow I don't think Phyllis will settle for selling dresses at Penny's or teaching a group of hyperactive toddlers. Phyllis has more class than that, but where she would go? Who knows? Now that you know what Ms. Phyllis is always smiling about, get ready for another exciting episode of "The Office" this week!

SOURCES:

IMDB.com "Phyllis Smith". IMDB.
The Office. "Cast Biography". NBC.com.