Rainn Wilson considering quitting acting to become a death doula

“The Office” actor Rainn Wilson is considering a career change.

Wilson, who played Dwight Schrute on the hit NBC sitcom, revealed during a Sept. 3 appearance on “Late Night With Seth Meyers” that he wants to leave Hollywood to pursue an occupation as a death doula.

“Well, as my celebrity star is fading—and it’s fine—I may put acting behind me,” Wilson told Meyers. “And there’s this beautiful occupation called death doula.”

The “Code 3″ star explained the role as a different kind of birth, a “birth into the next phase of our existence.” Wilson, who said he “fully believe[s] in the continuation and journey of the human soul,” noted that most world faiths agree on the concept.

Wilson described the work as being there to “usher someone with beauty and respect and dignity from this life to the next,” while also helping the family transition. He shared that he believes a death doula can help people understand the legacy they want to have and celebrate what is often a painful, ignored transition in Western society.

After Meyers suggested that a death doula helps “take the fear out” of dying, Wilson added that the job offers “a lot of hope to give people.”

“How you can create a healing space for you and your family to mourn, to grieve, to celebrate, and to ponder this next mysterious step?” Wilson said.

Wilson, who starred in “The Office” from 2005 to 2013 and earned three consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor, may find this is his next step. Especially since he seemingly wasn’t given an opportunity to appear on the new “The Office” spinoff, called “The Paper,” which was released on Peacock earlier this month.

Wilson previously commented on the show’s continuation to CinemaBlend in November 2024, expressing disappointment that the show was moving to a new zip code, which meant his character had a next to nothing chance of getting a cameo.

“I don’t see how Dwight goes from Scranton to wherever they’re shooting it in the Midwest,” he said. “But, you know, if [series creator] Greg [Daniels] wants me to do something, I’m happy to do something.”

Ironically, Wilson’s former “The Office” co-star Oscar Nuñez did manage to secure a full-time role on the new 10-episode series. However, the rest of the cast was replaced with new faces.

Meyers, however, suggested to Wilson during their conversation that if he does go the route of death doula, he shouldn’t abandon Hollywood completely.

“Well, I would like you to keep doing both,” the late-night host said. “I don’t want you to stop one just to work on the other, but I think you’d be very good at both.” Wilson responded, “Well, thank you so much.”