Oscar Nunez as Oscar Martinez on “The Office.” Courtesy: Photo: Mitchell Haaseth/NBC.

Oscar Nunez plays an accountant on NBC’s “The Office,” but in real life, he almost ended up a dentist technician. He was unemployed, and a cousin owned a dental laboratory. His mother, a retired dentist, pushed him in that direction.

“My mom was like … ‘It’s good work, it’s a great trade and you’ll make good money,’” Nunez said in a recent interview during a break in his work schedule. “So I did. I went to school for two years and became a dental technician and … I was bored out of my brain.”

After six months on the job, he couldn’t take it anymore. Luckily, the now 54-year-old actor and comedian had better things in store.

Saturday, Nunez will perform at SF Sketchfest’s Theme Park Improv, alongside Rachel Dratch of “Saturday Night Live,” Simon Helberg of “Big Bang Theory,” Sketchfest creators Cole Stratton and Janet Varney, and others. Nunez said the show will be just as fun for the himself and the cast as it will be for those who attend.

What are you up to right now?

I am driving a Prius on Glenoaks Boulevard in Burbank. I am approaching Magnolia Boulevard right now. I’m going to make a left-hand turn.

People know you from “The Office,” but most don’t know about your previous work. You were Adam Carolla’s stand-in on “The Man Show?”

When they are doing a show like that, they have what’s called blocking. That’s when the stars stand while they set up the camera shots and get the lighting straight. But they don’t have the stars stand there for 10 minutes while they have the technical stuff done. So they have what’s called a stand-in. You literally stand there, taking the place of them. You need the same skin shade, and height, kind-of. You don’t have to look exactly like the fella. So I was the stand-in for the Man Show; the first incarnation with Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla.

You were a certified dentist technician for a while?

Literally six months. I (pursued it because) I wasn’t doing anything, per se.

I have this image of your friends asking for free teeth cleanings on the weekends.

Well, not to split hairs, but that would be a hygienist. (Laughs). As a dental technician, we don’t put our hands in people’s mouths. We’re a laboratory. The dentist sends you impressions and then you make bridges and ceramic teeth. We give those back to the dentist and he puts it in people’s mouths.

You’ve appeared on “Malcolm in the Middle,” “24,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Reno 911,” “Mad TV.” Other than “The Office,” what has been your most memorable experience?

I really enjoyed “The Proposal.” I got to work with Sandra Bullock and Ryan (Reynolds). I got to meet Betty White, and, oh my gosh, what’s that lady’s name – Ted Danson’s wife (Mary Steenburgen). Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh. I’m blanking. There was Malin Akerman, Denis O’Hare – a great actor who’s in everything. And we shot in Boston, which is a great town. My girlfriend came out to visit, and we walked around and had a great time. The director, Anne Fletcher, was amazing.

You and your wife are new parents (their daughter was born last October). On “The Office” you play a gay character. Do you ever have fans who assume you are in real life as well?

Not really. They get it’s a character. One or two young guys, a couple of years ago, when my wife and I were in New York, were like, (in feminine voice) “Ohhhhh, noooooo! You’re not gay?” But I love the gays. (Laughs). (“The Office” character) is a part.

What is your best memory of working on “The Office?”

There’s a lot of them. The third or fourth episode. Brian Baumgartner and I were talking, and were like, “This is a really good show! I can see us in a couple of years, winning an Emmy for writing, or something.” And here we are, nine years later. It’s been a great ride. 

With the show concluding, what do you hope viewers take away from it?

No. I just hope they’ve enjoyed the ride. I grew up on TV and love television. I watched “The Odd Couple” from beginning to end, and “MASH,” “Mary Tyler Moore” and “Bob Newhart.” They were all great rides and I just hope people enjoyed the ride on “The Office.”

Follow editor Roman Gokhman at Twitter.com/RomiTheWriter.