Much like the beloved Seinfeld character Kramer, there is a real Michael Scott. The now 68-year-old Ramon Becker was the regional manager for the Pennsylvania based company Disston Manufacturing for 27 years. During that time, the real Michael Scott mentored a young Greg Daniels, who worked as a temp before creating one of the most popular sitcoms in television history.

While Daniels only spent four months at the company, it is clear his first boss had an important impact on his life. “He was a smart kid in search for his calling,” says Ramon, who later mentioned that it was him who pushed him towards writing.

“In those days I dreamt about being a television writer. I would spend my nights writing episodes of Cheers, which I think would’ve been real hits. I brought Greggy boy in my office to read them one day, then next thing I know he’s off to New York City.”

Ramon Becker; the real Michael Scott

While little has been written about Ramon, it is clear he is proud of Daniels’ success and especially the character who he inspired. “I love Michael Scott. He cares about his employees and was more than a boss…he was a friend. That’s how I ran my office.”

The elderly Ramon is as much an enigma as the television character. He is oblivious and perceptive at the same time, hilarious in a way that makes a person wonder if they are laughing with or at him, loving in an unexpectedly unconditional manner, and surprising lovable. My time with the real Michael Scott was a true pleasure that made me feel as though I was the man behind the fictional mockumentary camera in The Office. There was laughter, there was tears, and there was love with the real Michael Scott.