He attended the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston and later graduated from Newton South High School. Novak pursued higher education at Harvard University, majoring in English and Spanish. At Harvard, he became actively involved in campus humor and drama, serving as a member of both the Harvard Lampoon and the Hasty Pudding Club. He also created and performed in a campus stage show titled The B.J. Show, showcasing his early flair for comedy and performance.

Start in Comedy and Stand-Up Career

After graduating in 2001, Novak moved to Los Angeles to pursue opportunities in comedy and acting. Shortly thereafter, on October 10, 2001, he gave his first stand-up performance at the Hollywood Youth Hostel. His sharp comedic style quickly gained attention, and in 2003, he was named one of Variety’s "Ten Comedians to Watch."

Novak initially began his television career as a writer for the short-lived sitcom Raising Dad. His on-screen debut came in 2003 on MTV’s hit series Punk’d, where he garnered attention for playing pranks on celebrities. Alongside television, he continued performing stand-up at various comedy clubs, building his reputation in the comedy scene.

Breakthrough with The Office

Novak achieved wide recognition with his role as Ryan Howard on the acclaimed NBC comedy series The Office, developed by Greg Daniels. In addition to acting, Novak served as a writer and producer on the show. He was a part of the series from its debut in 2005 through its eighth season and made guest appearances thereafter. His contributions to the show earned him multiple nominations and helped define his career in television writing and acting.