David Wallace (The Office)
| David Wallace | |
|---|---|
| The Office character | |
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| First appearance | "Valentine's Day" |
| Portrayed by | Andy Buckley |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Title | Chief Financial Officer, Dunder Mifflin |
| Spouse | Rachel Wallace (wife) |
| Children | a son |
David Wallace is the chief financial officer (CFO) of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company in the American television show The Office (U.S. TV series). He is portrayed by Andy Buckley.
Character history
David Wallace was first introduced in "Valentine's Day". Wallace replaced Randall, the former CFO who resigned after sexual harassment charges were brought against him. Wallace's wife's name is Rachel, and they have a son as introduced in "Cocktails". Like Michael, he despises his office's HR representative, whose name is Kendall. But he seems to be quite affable and clearly likes the Scranton branch and has a good standing relationship with the employees, particularly Jim Halpert because of his professionalism.
Wallace began his career at Dunder Mifflin in sales after graduating from Boston College with a BSBA in Finance. This may also explain his good relationship with Jim Halpert and originally with Ryan Howard, seeing some of himself in them. Wallace left Dunder Mifflin to pursue an MBA from Stanford University. After Stanford, Wallace spent time as a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch and the controller for the fictional Wernham Group, before returning to Dunder Mifflin in the role of Chief Financial Officer in December of 2005.
Season 2 - 4
David's debut is in "Valentine's Day", where he attends a meeting with Jan, Michael, and Josh along with two other regional managers: Craig from the Albany branch and Dan Gore from the Buffalo branch. After Craig reveals that Michael and Jan hooked up, Wallace does not punish the two after hearing Michael's explanation, and laughs when Michael refers to the incompetent, careless Craig as a "tool".[1]
When it is announced in "Branch Closing" that the Scranton Branch would be closing, Michael and Dwight go to his house to get Wallace to change his mind. However, he is not home and the Scranton branch is later saved by reasons unrelated to their presence. In "Cocktails", Wallace invites the company to his home for cocktails. However, he finds the event boring and plays basketball with Jim, whom he asks about what's going on between Michael and Jan.
In "Beach Games", Wallace invites Michael to interview for a corporate position, which Jim and Karen apply for as well. During the interview in "The Job", he reveals that the corporate position is actually Jan's job, whom the company will fire once they hire her replacement. Michael reveals this to Jan, who in turn angrily barges into Wallace's office. Wallace claims the firing was due to Jan's mental state, the numerous personal days she had been taking, and the lack of work she had been completing.[2]
In "The Deposition", his testimony reveals that while he thinks Michael is a nice guy, he never considered Michael a serious contender for Jan's old Corporate job (which ended up going to Ryan Howard); Michael seems hurt by the truth but mollified by David's sincere-seeming "nice guy" comments, which lead to him siding with the company over Jan and dooming her lawsuit. After the deposition concludes, David makes a sincere apology to Michael for his behavior.[3]
Season 5 - 6
In "Crime Aid" it is revealed that Wallace owns a vacation home in Martha's Vineyard.
In a deleted scene from "Weight Loss", David yells at Ryan for answering the phones at the Scranton branch, and calls him a worthless human being. Then, in the talking head, a visibly shaken Ryan says that Wallace "made the list" of people to get revenge on when he is successful again. David is displeased when he learns that Michael is dating HR rep Holly Flax and transfers her back to Nashua, New Hampshire. He sends Michael to Winnipeg, Manitoba in an attempt to cheer him up. But just as the trip ends and Michael talks to David on his phone about the sale he closed, Michael expresses his anger at the transfer by scolding David, aware of his boss' ploy to cheer him over transferring Holly. Apparently, David has not replaced Ryan after his termination at the end of season four.
However in "New Boss", Wallace hires Charles Miner (Idris Elba) who replaces Ryan as Vice-President of North East Sales and oversees the branches, including Scranton. Initially, Michael and Charles seem to hit it off when meeting for the first time at the corporate headquarters, which changes when Charles visits the branch. Miner, who seems to possess no sense of humor, has a no-nonsense management style that clashes with Michael's laid back managerial style. In the first of many calls to David, Michael is told to try and get along with his new boss which proves unsuccessful. Tensions rise in the office as Miner often usurps Michael's authority because of his ideas. When Michael's plans with the Party Planning Committee involve his 15th Work Anniversary party during work hours, Charles cancels their planning and dissolves the committee. Infuriated, Michael drives to New York and confronts David to highlight his years of service and loyalty to the company. David agrees to fund an anniversary party for Michael, and assures him that he will attend personally. This proves unsatisfactory to Michael, who resigns, leaving David stunned.
Michael leaves to form his own company, Michael Scott Paper Company, while Charles takes over as Regional Manager of Scranton. Michael, with his wit, begins to take clients from Dunder Mifflin, which drives Wallace and Miner to try and buy out the company, in the episode titled Broke. With Michael in the conference room, David offers him up to $60,000, before he heeds to Micheal's demands. He gives Michael his own job back, reduces Miner's authority, gives them health care including dental, reluctantly rehires Ryan (who had previously been hired by Michael), and promotes Pam Beesly to saleswoman.
In "Company Picnic", Michael and Holly reveal the closing of the Buffalo branch as part of their sketch comedy show at the company picnic. This quickly ends the show and throws the Buffalo branch employees into disarray. A clearly unhappy David chastises Michael and Holly over their revelation of that senstive news that he disclosed to Michael in confidence.[4]
In the episode "The Meeting," Wallace has a private meeting with Jim. Michael thinks Jim is trying to get his job, and shows Wallace Jim's file with reports of him slacking off with Dwight and spending excessive time at Reception. Wallace reveals that Jim's idea involved a promotion for both Jim and Michael. Later, Wallace offers to Michael and Jim to make both of them co-managers of the branch.[5]
In "Secret Santa," David mentions to Michael that the company has a potential buyer, and that he (as well as other executives) may lose their jobs. David assures Michael that he and the other employees will still have their positions if this were to happen.[6]