Michael Kovac/Getty
Though fans ofThe Officelove Jim and Pam together, actressJenna Fischer’s heart belongs to her husband, screenwriter Lee Kirk, off-screen.
While the couple had crossed paths throughout their time in Hollywood, they got to know each other better when theMean Girlsstar pitched him an idea for a rom-com in 2008. Although it didn’t come to fruition, Fisher and Kirk began working on a different project together and unexpectedly fell in love.
“Our meetings started turning into dates,” she toldVultureabout producing the dramedy movieThe Giant Mechanical Man. “It was very romantic and sweet. It was a lot of dinners with wine and going to see movies, while pretending like we were developing a movie when in fact we were essentially developing a relationship.”
Over a decade into their marriage, the couple have continued to support each other. Kirk appeared on a 2022 episode of Fischer’s podcast,Office Ladies, in which they spoke about his guest role on an episode ofThe Office.He also took the opportunity to give his wife and her co-host,Angela Kinsey, a sweet shout-out for their work.
“I’ve seen the seeds of this podcast, I’ve watched you guys grow it, and I see how hard you work at it," he said. “The listeners should know, these ladies put so much heart and love into this podcast. This is a phenomenal thing you guys have created, and you deserve all the accolades.”
So who is Jenna Fischer’s husband? Here’s everything to know about Lee Kirk and his relationship with the actress.
He is a screenwriter and director
Jenna Fischer and her husband Lee Kirk attend the CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute on December 2, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.Christopher Polk/WireImage
Christopher Polk/WireImage
Some of Kirk’s writing credits includeOrdinary World(2016) andThe Giant Mechanical Man(2012), both of which he also directed.
In addition, he worked on a few short films, includingThe Women(2004) andThe Benefits of Drinking Whiskey(2005).
He and Fischer started off as co-workers
Jenna Fischer and her fiancé Lee Kirk arrive at the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on January 23, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.Kevork Djansezian/Getty
Kevork Djansezian/Getty
Fischer and Kirk became better acquainted in 2008 when she came to him with an idea for a film, according toRedbook.
Although he “very politically” rejected it, the screenwriter pitched her three new ideas, and she loved one of them. Fischer signed on to the project as a producer and actress, and it became 2012’sThe Giant Mechanical Man.
She revealed that as the pair began to work together, a connection developed between them, and within “six or seven months,” they confessed their feelings for each other.
In April 2020, Fischer shared a sweet throwback post onInstagramabout the film. “Many years ago I made a quiet, sweet, simple romantic comedy which lead [sic] to me finding my real-life true love,” she wrote in the caption.
He married Fischer in 2010
Jenna Fischer and her husband Lee Kirk.Jenna Fischer Instagram
Jenna Fischer Instagram
Fischer and Kirk wed on July 3, 2010, after getting engaged on a European vacation the summer prior. The actress' longtime friend andSurvivorhostJeff Probstofficiated the intimate ceremony, which took place in Malibu, California.
In 2020, Fischer shared a heartfelt tribute onInstagramto celebrate her 10-year anniversary with Kirk. Her post included a picture of the pair on their wedding day and another more recent image.
He directed and starred inThe Office
Jenna Fischer and her husband Lee Kirk attend ‘The Giant Mechanical Man’ premiere during the Tribeca Film Festival on April 23, 2012 in New York City.Stephen Lovekin/Getty
Stephen Lovekin/Getty
The one-time costars spoke about the experience on a 2022 episode of Fischer’s podcast,Office Ladies.
“Had I known how difficult breastfeeding can be … I probably would have played Clark a little differently,” Kirk said. “Once we had kids and Jenna was breastfeeding both of them, we were learning how it can be very stressful and difficult."
He continued, “Then you meet these lactation consultants that come in, and they’re just filled with empathy … I probably would have played Clark with a little more of that.”
In addition to playing Clark, Kirk also directed a season 9 episode ofThe Officetitled “Vandalism.”
He and Fischer share two children
Jenna Fischer and her husband Lee Kirk attend ‘A Little Help’ Los Angeles Premiere on July 14, 2011, in Culver City, California.Craig Barritt/WireImage
Craig Barritt/WireImage
Weston Lee Kirk was born on Sept. 24, 2011, and Harper Marie Kirk joined the family on May 25, 2014.
The couple have kept their children out of the Hollywood spotlight, save for the occasional funny anecdote, like whenthey charged herfor a Mother’s Day breakfast.
He and Fischer enjoy playing poker
Jenna Fischer and her husband Lee Kirk pose for a photo at a pub.Jenna Fischer Instagram
While on a trip to Scotland in 2010, Fischer and Kirk entered an intense poker game. In an attempt to stay awake and beat jet lag, the couple competed in a tournament at a local pub.
In a 2018 essay forHemispheresmagazine, Fischer wrote about the memory and said that she loves to travel with Kirk. “Lee and I both liked poker and had been playing a lot recently," she explained. “A little card game seemed like the perfect antidote to our dilemma.”
“Six hours later, Lee and I were still in the pub. Despite the jet lag, Lee had played pretty well and was now sitting at the final table," she continued. “A few hands later, he lost all his chips, still finishing in a respectable fifth place. But we didn’t leave the pub at that point because someone else was still in the tournament. Me.”
Their creative idea to stay awake worked, and Fischer left a champion.
source: people.com
