Steve Carell "resigning" from "The Office" next year

Steve Carrell (R) accepts the award for for outstanding performance in by an ensemble in a comedy series for ''The Office'' at the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles January 28, 2007

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor Steve Carell is tendering his resignation as the egotistical boss Michael Scott of "The Office", and leaving the hit TV comedy show next year.

Carell told Us Magazine that he would be leaving paper company Dunder Mifflin at the end of the upcoming TV season, in May 2011.

"Yes, it will be my last," Carell, 47, told UsMagazine.com while promoting his movie "Despicable Me". "It's the last (season) on my contract, and I want to honor my contract."

Carell, who won a Golden Globe award for his role, said he wanted to spend more time with his wife and two young children.

Carell began playing Michael Scott in 2005 when the U.S. version of the hit British mockumentary created by Ricky Gervais was launched on NBC.

NBC had no comment on Carell's remarks.

Carell's departure may not mean the end of "The Office" however. NBC executives told reporters in May that the network regarded the show as an ensemble piece and that producers were prepared for a possible departure by Carell.

The actor told Us Magazine he would be sad to leave the comedy series. "These are some of my best friends in the world! But it will be good -- it will be good for everybody," he said.

"The Office" has been one of NBC's biggest critical hits, winning an Emmy for best comedy series, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for its ensemble cast. The series has also been sold widely overseas.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)