Not only did Parks and Recreation [1] give us one of the most badass female characters ever [2], but it also had one of the best ensemble casts in TV history. Rarely do we find a group of actors who are all hilarious enough in their own right that they can share the spotlight and shine together [3]. We loved each character individually and as part of a whole, and that's thanks to the amazing stars.
That's why hardcore Parks and Rec fans, such as myself, will never let the show go, even though the emotional finale [4] gave us the perfect amount of closure. While I won't be holding my breath for a reboot featuring Beyoncé [5], I do love a good stroll down memory lane. Keep reading to find out what the cast has been up to since the comedy aired its series finale in 2015.
I'll just be here, watching Parks and Rec on an endless loop until I forget it actually ended . . .
Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope
Leslie Knope is the deputy director of the Pawnee Parks and Recreation Department and just wants to make her hometown a better place. She's a strong believer in government bureaucracy, a proud feminist, and a lover of waffles. By the series finale, she's hinted to have become the President of the United states, is married to Ben Wyatt, and is a mother to triplets.
Amy Poehler Now
Amy Poehler [6] has kept herself booked and busy since the end of Parks and Rec! She's starred in a few movies, including Sisters [7] with Tina Fey [8] and The House [9] with Will Ferrell [10]. More recently, she's signed on to star in, direct, and produce [11] a new Netflix comedy named Wine Country.
Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson
Ron Swanson is technically the Parks and Rec director, but he just lets Leslie do most of the real work. He's a man of nature who loves hunting, woodworking, and meat. He is a libertarian who, despite his gruff exterior, really cares about the people he works with, and by the end of the series, he's married to Diane, has a son named John, and is the new superintendent of the Pawnee National Park.
Nick Offerman Now
Since Parks and Rec ended, Nick Offerman has been seen as Karl Weathers on Fargo, which earned him a best supporting actor in a miniseries nomination at the Critics' Choice Awards. He'll be one half of a mini-Parks and Rec reunion when he cohosts a crafts competition show with Poehler called Making It, premiering in July.
Aubrey Plaza as April Ludgate
April starts out as an intern of the Parks and Rec department who eventually becomes Ron's full-time assistant. She never really seems to care about her job, but looks can be deceiving. Despite her prickly exterior, April truly cares about her coworkers. She goes on to marry Andy Dwyer, have a son named Jack (short for Burt Snakehole Ludgate Karate Dracula Macklin Demon Jack-o-Lantern, FYI), and get a job in Washington DC as a career placement counselor.
Aubrey Plaza Now
Since winning our hearts as April on Parks and Rec, Aburey Plaza has been seen in Dirty Grandpa, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, The Little Hours, and Ingrid Goes West. She currently stars as Lenny Busker on Legion [12].
Chris Pratt as Andy Dwyer
Andy Dwyer is a hot mess and a half. Initially introduced as the well-meaning loser boyfriend of Ann Perkins, Andy wins our hearts with his goofy, dim-witted antics. He starts off as a shoeshiner, then begins working for Leslie in the Parks and Rec department before finally finding his dream job hosting a children's TV show as the character "Johnny Karate." He ends the series with his show being a success, married to April and expecting baby number two.
Chris Pratt Now
It's safe to say that Chris Pratt has become a household name for more than just his role on Parks and Rec. The actor plays Guardians of the Galaxy's lovable rogue Peter Quill in Marvel's Cinematic Universe, most recently appearing in Avengers: Infinity War [13]. He's also part of another huge movie franchise, playing Owen Grady in the Jurassic World [14] films. Next up is voicing Emmet in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part [15]!
Aziz Ansari as Tom Haverford
Tom Haverford, an administrator in the Parks department who works directly under Leslie, gives us some of the funniest lines of the show. Having never really cared much for his job, he quits to be an entrepreneur. Though he hits several rough patches in his career, he eventually becomes a bestselling author and marries his girlfriend, Lucy, in the final season.
Aziz Ansari Now
After Parks and Rec ended, Aziz Ansari created and starred in the critically acclaimed Netflix series Master of None. He went on to win several writing and acting awards, including a Golden Globe. That win made him the first Indian American and Asian American actor to win a Golden Globe for acting in television.
Jim O'Heir as Garry (Jerry) Gergich
Garry, forever known as Jerry or Terry, deserves all the awards. He's a Parks and Recreation department employee who endures a TON of teasing from his coworkers for being a huge, lovable klutz. By the end of the series, he retires from the department with a full pension and is repeatedly elected Mayor of Pawnee, until he dies peacefully in his gorgeous wife's arms on his 100th birthday.
Jim O'Heir Now
Since Parks and Rec, O'Heir has had spots on various TV shows such as Veep, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Speechless, and The Bold and the Beautiful. His guest role on The Bold and the Beautiful earned him a daytime Emmy!
Retta as Donna Meagle
Donna Meagle is the Parks and Recreation employee we all aspire to be. Strong-willed, lively, and not here to play games, she always manages to make any scene 10 times funnier. She's mysteriously well-off and though no one knows her business, she knows all of theirs. By the end of the series, Donna is happily married to Joe and owns a realty business.
Retta Now
Retta has appeared on several projects since Parks and Rec, including Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce and To the Bone. She currently stars in NBC's Good Girls [16] and published a series of essays in a book entitled So Close to Being the Sh*t, Y'all Don't Even Know.
Rashida Jones as Ann Perkins
Ann Perkins is the nurse who becomes Leslie's best friend and gives us one of the best female friendships [17] ever seen on TV. By the end of the series, Ann moves to Ann Arbor, MI, where she lives with her partner, Chris Traeger, and their two kids.
Rashida Jones Now
Since Jones's run as Ann Perkins on Parks and Rec, she's starred on the TBS comedy series Angie Tribeca as well as appearing in Black-ish [18] and Claws.
Adam Scott as Ben Wyatt
Ben Wyatt joined Park and Rec as an Indiana state auditor sent to help solve Pawnee's crippling budget deficit. He soon begins working as the Pawnee deputy city manager under Chris Traeger, and it's obvious he's a dork on the highest of levels (and adorably awkward about it). Eventually Ben marries Leslie Knope, goes through several different career paths, designs a board game, and becomes a member of the US House of Representatives. It's also hinted that he becomes President of the US. (It's either him or Leslie, but it's never made clear!)
Adam Scott Now
Scott has also been booked since the end of Parks and Rec! He has appeared on The Good Place [19], Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later, Sleeping With Other People, and The Disaster Artist. Currently he stars in Fox's Ghosted and HBO's Big Little Lies [20].
Rob Lowe as Chris Traeger
Chris Traeger comes into Pawnee as an Indiana state auditor before he eventually becomes Pawnee's city manager. He's known for being SUPER positive, extremely health-conscious, and scarily upbeat. He's also known for being incredibly good-looking. In the series finale, he lives in Ann Arbor with Ann and their two kids.
Rob Lowe Now
Since Parks and Rec, Lowe has starred as Dr. Ethan Willis on CBS's medical drama Code Black.