Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak Raise Eyebrows at Star Ceremony With a Kiss and Mention of Family
Fans have long speculated about B.J. Novak being the father of Mindy Kaling‘s children due to their close friendship and past romance. Neither has publicly confirmed or denied the rumors, but many believe Novak is still in Kaling’s life as more than a friend. On February 18, The Mindy Project actor’s Star Ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame bolstered these suspicions.
Novak introduced Kaling with a short speech. He raved about her talent and teased her as only a close friend (or more) would. “Mindy respects and understands [fame] in a very intuitive way because in addition to being a brilliant and wildly successful showrunner, an incredible mother of three, a deep and caring daughter and friend and mentor to so many,” he explained, according to People.
“You’d be on the walk of talent if they had one,” Novak shared. “You’d be on the walk of friendship; you’d be on the walk of compassionate parenthood. But let’s face it all of these would be terrible field trips, so here you are instead, very deservedly, a person who means so much to so many on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.” The Office actor proceeded to give his former girlfriend — they dated from 2004 to 2007 — a familiar kiss on the cheek and a warm, long hug as Kaling’s eyes seemed to well with tears.
The mother to daughters Anne, 12 months, and Katherine, 7, and son Spencer, 4, has never shared the identity of their father. During the ceremony, Kaling did call Novak an “important and integral part of my family.” This statement fueled the flames of speculation for fans who have noted Novak’s physical similarities to her children. The godfather of all three Kaling kids, Novak has never commented on the possibility that he’s their actual dad.
Fans did take to Reddit to share their opinions on the Novak-Kaling “situationship.” One commented, “I’m sorry but I have to bring up the are-they-arent-they. Okay she’s said he’s the kids godfather and like a father figure but not their biological father . . . but he is also her date to everything. Yeah you might bring your best friend to some events, but not every single one.”
Another element of Novak and Kaling’s questionable relationship: Neither has moved on with other partners since their split, at least publicly. The Ocean’s 8 actor dated author Benjamin Nugent for a few years in the early 2000s. Kaling was also briefly linked to Senator Cory Booker in 2022, but neither party confirmed the rumors. Novak was linked to actor January Jones in the mid-2010s. Neither confirmed these rumors either.
