Craig Robinson Quits Comedy, Says He’s Building “Something Huge”
Craig Robinson, best known for making viewers laugh as the smooth, sarcastic Darryl on The Office, just dropped a surprise announcement, and no, it’s not another spin-off or a comedy tour. At 53, the actor says he’s quitting comedy. But he’s not disappearing, just switching lanes.
In a recent Instagram video, Craig looked straight at the camera and said, “Hey, everybody! Just wanted you to hear it from me: I am quitting comedy.” He thanked fans for the ride and added, “…I’m following something bigger.”
What that “something” is? He’s keeping it under wraps… for now.
The caption on the video read like a teaser trailer: “Life update: I’m officially quitting comedy to focus on my true calling. Stay tuned. I’m working on something huge. 👀”
Naturally, fans and celeb friends had thoughts and jokes. Howie Mandel teased, “Being a dancer is tough, but go for it ❤️.” Arsenio Hall asked if he was becoming a preacher and sang a little If Loving You Is Wrong for good measure. David Arquette chimed in with some kind words, saying, “I hope it involves Music! You’re brilliant at whatever you choose to do.”
Kate Flannery, who played Meredith on The Office, showed love with a simple but heartfelt message: “We love you, craig!!! Go big, my friend!!! ❤️❤️❤️”
Even fans had fun guessing. “Opening a warehouse for paper perchance??” one asked, referencing his Dunder Mifflin roots.
In a follow-up post, Craig admitted that chasing your dreams and running a business aren’t quite the same thing. “Turns out having a dream and building a business with your friends are two VERY different things,” he wrote. He didn’t reveal details but asked for small-business tips, hinting that his new venture might involve more than just punchlines.
This isn’t the first time Craig has talked about life beyond jokes. He’s also a musician and has been rocking stages with his band The Nasty Delicious since 2007. In a 2022 episode of Vulture’s Good One podcast, he said, “When I am with the band, I feel like I can fly – like being at an Earth, Wind & Fire concert.”
Craig shared how emotional and freeing performing with the band can be. “There are moments where my emotions get the best of me while conducting and performing, and that’s incredible,” he said. Sometimes it’s full-blown funk. Other times, it’s comedy with musical flair. For him, the blend of music and emotion is where the magic really happens.
