B.J. Novak Reveals the Sweet Nickname Mindy Kaling’s Kids Call Him

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There’s nothing B.J. Novakwon’t du-o for Mindy Kaling’s kids.

Actor and godfather to Katherine, Spencer, and Anne Kaling – the three children of his former Office costar – recently shared the story behind a sweet nickname he received, explaining the gift that earned it.

B.J. shared on the April 20th episode of Watch What Happens: Live with Andy Cohen that Kit started calling her ‘FoFo’ after a character—a bear—from the Duolingo Kids app. B.J. thought it was sweet, so she got Kit a FoFo stuffed animal to add to her collection, and Kit absolutely loved it.

Mindy has always kept the identity of her children’s father a secret, but she and B.J. have often shared glimpses of his close relationship with her three kids. Mindy has even called B.J. a vital part of her family. This closeness has led some to speculate that B.J., who has been Mindy’s best friend since they dated in 2007, might actually be their father.

Okay, so everyone was buzzing about it, but honestly? Mindy already said it doesn’t even phase her. She told Marie Claire all this stuff about how she just doesn’t care about the rumors, which, honestly, is so Mindy of her! I knew she’d handle it with grace, she always does. It’s amazing how unbothered she is, I wish I could be like that!

He’s like family to my children – he’s their godfather, and they have a wonderful bond. So far, any gossip hasn’t bothered me, my kids, or my husband, BJ. If people find that interesting, that’s fine with me.

The creator of Never Have I Ever also stated she will reveal who her children’s fathers are when her kids are mature enough to discuss it with her.

I’m their only parent, so I tend to be overly careful with my decisions. I’d rather avoid any future regrets or arguments with my kids if I can.

Mindy has openly talked about another interesting part of their connection: why she and B.J. are happy keeping their relationship just a friendship.

He’s a fantastic friend and has been like family to us – he’s godfather to both of my children and has a real way with kids, who adore him. I think anyone who’s had a long-term friendship – almost two decades – that included dating and then transitioned into just friendship can relate to that kind of bond,” she shared on The Drew Barrymore Show in 2022.

Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak aren’t the only famous friends everyone in Hollywood loves. Here are some other unforgettable best friend pairs…

Nicole, who has always loved her sister-in-law’s films, asked her a few years ago if she’d recreate some memorable scenes, including a famous one from My Best Friend’s Wedding.

During a May 2024 appearance on the Everything Iconic with Danny Pellegrino podcast, she recounted telling Cameron, ‘I need you to run towards me from behind the luggage cart, towards the airport.’ She explained that she was directing Cameron during a car ride, telling her exactly what to say, and Cameron happily obliged. She described Cameron’s willingness to follow her instructions as incredibly generous.

It’s a good thing Lawrence was available to spend time with Schumer, or they might have missed out on a wonderful friendship! Their connection started when Lawrence emailed Schumer after seeing her 2015 movie, Trainwreck. Lawrence admitted she wrote, “I don’t know where to get started. I guess I should just say it: I’m in love with you.” They began emailing, which quickly turned into texting.

Their friendship truly became strong when Schumer casually invited Lawrence to join her and her high school friends for a trip to the Hamptons. Schumer was surprised when Lawrence accepted, but quickly realized Lawrence was incredibly down-to-earth. She told The Daily Show that Lawrence was “the coolest person you’ll ever meet” and fit right in with her friend group.

Everyone would want a friend who’s successful enough to own property where you live! Jennifer Lopez and Vanessa Remini have been incredibly close ever since they met and instantly connected at the premiere of Man on Fire in 2004. Lopez described it as an immediate, strong chemistry – feeling like she loved Remini and enjoyed being around her.

Remini was also thrilled to see Lopez perform at President Joe Biden’s inauguration. She messaged Lopez, telling her that as a fellow Bronx native, the performance was inspiring and beautiful to watch.

Considered the ultimate celebrity friendship, Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, and Lisa Kudrow have remained close since they first bonded while working on the Warner Brothers lot and starring in the hit show Friends. According to a source, their shared experience on Friends created a strong foundation for their lasting bond. Just like staying in touch with former colleagues, they prioritize getting together – whether it’s for casual happy hours or larger reunions. Because they live relatively close to each other, it’s easy to gather at Courteney’s Sunday dinners or Jennifer’s pool parties. The source says they all feel incredibly connected and expect to remain close for years to come.

Amy Poehler and Tina Fey have been incredibly close friends ever since they met in an improv class in 1993, and they consider each other family. Poehler, who has one younger brother named Greg, told PopSugar while promoting their 2015 movie Sisters that she and Tina are like “chosen sisters” and that their friendship has given her a family experience she hadn’t had before.

Philipps described meeting Williams on the set of Dawson’s Creek as love at first sight. They quickly became close friends, bonding over shared activities like drinking wine, smoking, and even getting into trouble. She explained that they instantly connected and have maintained a loving relationship ever since. Luckily for fans, we get a glimpse into their lives as they navigate red carpets, coordinate outfits, and occasionally give Williams a trendy pink hairstyle.

Drake and Adele, despite only recently considering a collaboration after years of admiring each other’s work, seem to have a strong connection. Adele expressed her desire to create an official remix of one of their songs, sharing that she’s a huge fan – she even bought the red coat worn in Drake’s music video! Drake reciprocated the enthusiasm, jokingly offering to do chores for Adele. Instead of immediately working on music, they spent time together enjoying a meal and a bowling outing, hinting at future collaboration.

As a mom myself, I truly believe in the power of supporting other women, especially during pregnancy. I was so lucky to have amazing women guide me when I was expecting, and I’ve always made it a priority to pay that forward to my friends. I’m very open and honest with those close to me – especially Eva Longoria! She really valued my advice when she welcomed her son, Santiago, back in 2018. She even joked I was basically her doula, which honestly, just warmed my heart. It’s all about lifting each other up!

After winning an Academy Award over 20 years ago for Good Will Hunting, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are collaborating again on the film The Last Duel. Despite spending some time apart, their close friendship remains strong. Damon explained to Entertainment Tonight that they’ve known each other for 35 years and grew up together, sharing a mutual passion for acting and filmmaking. He believes this shared obsession during their younger years created a lifelong bond.

The friendship between two prominent television personalities began in 1976 while they worked at a Baltimore station. Though one was an anchor and the other a production assistant, they didn’t usually spend time together outside of work, due to the typical newsroom environment, as Gayle King recalled in an interview with Oprah. However, when a snowstorm hit, Oprah invited Gayle, who was earning $12,000 a year as a PA, to stay with her. The next day, they went shopping together, and a lasting friendship began, sparked by a trip to Casual Corner.

While your dates probably don’t involve Wimbledon or palaces, Meghan Markle and a certain tennis star actually connected in a very relatable way. They first met at a 2014 Super Bowl event and instantly bonded. As Meghan wrote on her now-defunct website, The Tig, they spent the time taking pictures, laughing during a flag football game, and chatting about everyday things – not tennis or acting, but just typical ‘girl talk’.

Even though Game of Thrones is over, the close bond between Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams remains strong. Williams, who was a bridesmaid at Turner’s wedding to Joe Jonas in 2019, playfully suggests that the biggest reward from the show’s eight seasons wasn’t its 12 Emmy Awards. She told TopMob News at the final season premiere that the show felt like a long journey to find a best friend, adding that having such a supportive friend during the show’s intense run was a true blessing.

Everyone’s heart probably melted seeing Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ adorable reaction when their oldest daughter, James, recognized Taylor Swift’s song “Gorgeous” at a concert. Lively later jokingly called the video embarrassing, telling Robin Roberts on Good Morning America that it showed their “unfiltered pride” as stage parents. But their genuine friendship with Swift – which includes celebrating the Fourth of July at Swift’s Rhode Island home, get-togethers at the couple’s country house, and appearances in Swift’s music videos – is special and should be cherished.

Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon have a friendship that goes way back, even before their Apple TV+ series, The Morning Show. They first acted together in 2000, playing sisters on an NBC show. Witherspoon, who had recently given birth to her daughter Ava Phillippe, remembers being 23 and nursing on set. She recalled Aniston repeatedly asking about the baby, which felt strange at the time. Witherspoon would explain she was pumping breast milk, and Aniston was incredibly kind and supportive. They’ve been close friends ever since that experience.

Their unlikely friendship blossomed at the 2015 Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber and was further cemented by their VH1 cooking show, Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party. Snoop Dogg explained to LA Weekly that Martha Stewart, despite being different from people he usually hangs out with, felt surprisingly familiar. He appreciated that she was genuine and relatable, despite coming from a different generation. He described their connection as natural and comfortable, saying she always understood him and that being with her felt like a strong, positive bond – a ‘holy matrimony,’ not just a casual connection.

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2026-04-21 22:48