B.J. Novak lovingly roasts Mindy Kaling as she earns star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

In her 2011 memoir, Mindy Kaling asked, "Is everyone hanging out without me?" On Tuesday, the answer was a resounding "no" when she joined a lengthy list of Hollywood greats to be inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The 45-year-old author, actress and creator of series such as "The Mindy Project," Sex Lives of College Girls" and "Never Have I Ever," perhaps best known for playing Kelly Kapoor on "The Office," watched as her name, etched into cement in recognition of her contributions to television, was revealed on Hollywood Boulevard.

"This is one of the times where I'm going to force myself to be in the moment. I'm so happy; I love recognition," Kaling joked during her acceptance speech.

"I'm Hindu, and we practice cremation, which is a beautiful tradition that my ancestors have done for thousands of years, and so will I. But also, I'm obsessed with legacy. So sometimes I get disappointed that I won't have a grave, but this? This is so much better than a grave."

Longtime friend B.J. Novak, who played her on-again-off-again boyfriend in "The Office," was the one to sing Kaling's praises ahead of the reveal of her star, the 2,800th issued by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Birthday boy Ike Barinholtz, who co-starred on "The Mindy Project" and co-created Kaling's upcoming Netflix series "Running Point," was also in the crowd alongside the show's cast, TV legend Greg Daniels — who adapted the U.S. version of "The Office" — Consul General of India Dr. K. Srikar Reddy and Eric Garcetti, LA's former mayor and the most recent U.S. ambassador to India.

Mindy Kaling calls B.J. Novak an 'integral part of my family'

Before launching into a long list of thank yous, Kaling took a moment to acknowledge Novak.

"Fun fact, my daughter calls B.J. Uncle Fofo. I have no idea why that is, but he's such an important and integral part of my family that sometimes I forget that the reason I know him is because we worked together professionally," she said before adopting her signature humor again. "And I am as starstruck by him now, at age 29, as when I first met you at 24. I love you."

In his speech, Novak noted that Kaling — the only woman in "The Office's" writers room in 2004 — boasts the most writing credits on the fan-favorite NBC comedy.

"In addition to being a brilliant and wildly successful showrunner, an incredible mother of three, a deep and caring friend and daughter and mentor to so many, Mindy is also in her spare time, I assure you, very superficial," Novak joked.

The "Inglorious Basterds" actor took a beat and covered his mouth before continuing: "Mindy, as I look around and see all these people from your life who have believed in you from the beginning, I'm just sorry that none of us doubted you, because I know how much more fun that would make this for you.

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"But we couldn't help it. We always knew you'd be famous, but we had no idea how beautifully you'd handle the job."

He added: "So it's high time your name joins those of your heroes right here on Hollywood Boulevard. Not just names like Mary Tyler Moore and Lucille Ball, but names like H&M and Zara. I know how much all of it means to you."

After wrapping his time at the podium, Novak kissed Kaling's cheek before they shared an embrace.

Kaling — who welcomed her third child, daughter Anne, last February — has not disclosed the identity of her kids' biological father. She has revealed, however, that Novak is the godfather to at least two of her children.

In response to speculation about Novak being related to her children, Kaling said in a 2022 interview, "It doesn't bother me."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mindy Kaling roasted by B.J. Novak in Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony