Melora Hardin as Jan Levenson
Janet "Jan" Levenson is played by Melora Hardin in NBC's
The Office. A very driven and successful woman, Jan is the superior of Michael Scott in the paper products distributing company, Dunder Mifflin. Her no-nonsense managerial style often opposes the laid back and casual approach of Michael, whom she also often reprimands for his violation of company policies, his incompetent performance and flirtation with her. A commanding woman, she often gets more respect in the office than Michael, who sees everyone as his friend rather than his subordinates.
Jan had gone through a divorce mainly due to her aspiration to have children, a dream not shared by her ex-husband. She did face a rough year after that, and has since then lighted up a cigarette every once in a while, when she is placed in the middle of a stressful situation. According to her psychiatrist, Jan has some self-destructive tendencies.
In an incident of intoxication, Jan began a fling with Michael, whom she accused of slipping something into her drink. She soon rejected his multiple advances, but gave in on Valentines' Day, when she passionately kissed him after a meeting at corporate headquarters. Despite his repulsive behavior and personality, Jan is drawn to him.
The two encountered an obstacle in their relationship as Jan wanted to spend the Casino Night with Michael, who asked out Carol instead. Since then, she started resenting him, taking out her anger on Michael and sometimes, the office. Keeping busy with work, she discovered that Pam wanted to be an artist, and thus helped her apply in a company program that trained graphic designers. Jan also was responsible for handling the situation when Michael revealed to the office that Oscar Martinez was gay. She gave him a three-month paid vacation, enabling Oscar and his partner Gil to travel to Europe.
Carol and Michael later break up, and he offered some tickets to a resort in Jamaica to Jan, who accepted his offer. The two did have a great time in their own vacation, with pictures to back up their escapade. Shortly after their return, Jan admitted to Michael that she did want to pursue a relationship with him. The two then got together and informed their superiors about it.
Their relationship encountered some trouble as Michael disliked having to live out Jan's schoolgirl fantasies during sex. He left a message for her on her voicemail saying that he was breaking up with her, and she unfortunately listened to it in front of him, after apologizing for the way she had been treating him.
Soon, Michael got back together with Jan, after he saw her new breast implants. However, upon applying for a job, he discovers that Jan was about to be fired and he was to take her place. Jan was then fired for her erratic behavior and mood swings, but was comforted by Michael, who asked her to live with him in his condo. She gladly accepted, determined to focus on their relationship as her full-time job.
(Photo courtesy of NBC)