Nick Offerman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nick Offerman
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![]() Offerman in 2022
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Born |
Nicholas David Offerman
June 26, 1970 Joliet, Illinois, U.S.
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Alma mater | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (BFA) |
Occupation | Actor, Carpenter, Writer and Comedian |
Years active | 1994–present |
Spouse(s) |
Nicholas David Offerman (born June 26, 1970) is an American actor, carpenter, writer, and comedian. He is well-known for playing Ron Swanson in the TV show Parks and Recreation. For this role, he won an award for best comedy performance. He was also nominated twice for the Critics' Choice Television Award.
Offerman also appeared in the TV series Fargo (2015) and The Last of Us (2023). For The Last of Us, he won an Emmy Award. He has acted in many independent films. These include The Kings of Summer (2013) and The Founder (2016).
He was also an executive producer and star in the film The House of Tomorrow (2017). He played the President in the movie Civil War (2024). Offerman has lent his voice to characters in Gravity Falls and The Lego Movie series. He also voiced characters in Hotel Transylvania 2 and the Sing film series.
He co-hosted the TV show Making It with his Parks and Recreation co-star Amy Poehler. They were nominated three times for an Emmy Award for their hosting.
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Early Life and Education
Nicholas David Offerman was born in Joliet, Illinois, on June 26, 1970. His mother, Cathy, was a nurse, and his father, Ric, was a social studies teacher. He grew up in Minooka and went to Minooka Community High School.
He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign in 1993. After college, he helped start a theater company in Chicago called Defiant Theatre. His parents were surprised when he wanted to become an actor. He said that nobody from his town had ever gone into the arts before.
Acting Career Highlights
In the mid-1990s, Offerman worked with theater groups in Chicago. He also worked as a fight choreographer and master carpenter at the Steppenwolf Theatre. This is where he met Amy Poehler.
In 2003, he married actress Megan Mullally. He appeared on her talk show, The Megan Mullally Show. He also had roles on TV shows like Will & Grace, The King of Queens, and 24. Before Parks and Recreation, he was known for playing Randy McGee on George Lopez.
Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation
In 2009, Offerman got a main role in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. He played Ron Swanson, a character who dislikes government. Ron Swanson was the boss of Amy Poehler's character, Leslie Knope. Critics praised Offerman's performance, calling him the show's "secret weapon."
Offerman said that supporting roles, like Ron Swanson, are his favorite. He found inspiration from the character Jim Ignatowski in the TV show Taxi.
Voice Acting and Films
Offerman has also done voice work for animated shows. He was the voice of Axe Cop in the animated series Axe Cop. In 2014, he voiced MetalBeard in The Lego Movie. He returned to voice MetalBeard in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019).
He has appeared in many films. These include City of Angels (1998) and The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009). He also played Deputy Chief Hardy in 21 Jump Street (2012) and 22 Jump Street (2014). In 2016, he played Richard McDonald, one of the founders of McDonald's, in the film The Founder.
In 2023, Offerman appeared in the HBO series The Last of Us. He played the character Bill in the episode "Long, Long Time". His acting in this role was highly praised. He won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for this performance. In 2025, he is set to star in the crime thriller Sovereign.
Offerman was the Show Announcer for the 97th Academy Awards in 2025. He is also set to appear in the 2025 film Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
Other Projects
Writing Books
Offerman has written four books that share stories from his life. His first book, Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living, came out in 2013. His second book, Gumption: Relighting the Torch of Freedom with America's Gutsiest Troublemakers, was released in 2015.
His third book, Good Clean Fun: Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Woodshop, was published in 2016. His fourth book, Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside, was released in 2021. He has also narrated all of his books as audiobooks.
Comedy Shows
In 2017, Offerman started his Full Bush Tour, performing 28 shows across the U.S. and Canada. His All Rise Tour began in July 2019 and continued through the end of that year. He performed in major cities like Chicago, San Francisco, and New York.
Theatre Work
In 2014, Offerman and his wife, Megan Mullally, starred together in the play Annapurna. They played a couple who meet again after being apart for a long time. In 2015, Offerman played Ignatius J. Reilly in a play based on the book A Confederacy of Dunces.
Woodworking Skills
Offerman has run the Offerman Woodshop in Los Angeles since 2001. He works there with a team of six other craftspeople. He has said that acting sometimes takes time away from his woodworking. He enjoys woodworking and live theater very much.
He learned woodworking by reading books and magazines. He has also written several books about woodworking. He believes it's important to know that making mistakes is part of the learning process.
Personal Life
Offerman married actress Megan Mullally on September 20, 2003. They met in 2000 while working on a play together. They have worked on many projects since then. These include TV shows like Will & Grace and Parks and Recreation. They also appeared in films like The Kings of Summer and Hotel Transylvania 2.
They started a live comedy tour together in 2016. In 2019, they began a podcast where they discuss their lives and interview guests.
Political Views
When asked if he is a libertarian, like his character Ron Swanson, Offerman said in 2017 that he admires the idea but doesn't think it works well in government. He described himself as a "free-thinking American."
He has shared his political views on social media. In 2020, he supported Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren. He also supported Democratic candidate Charles Booker in the U.S. Senate primary in Kentucky.
In April 2024, Offerman described himself as "progressive" but also "conservative in many ways." He believes that political labels have lost their meaning. In August 2024, he supported Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election. He released a song called "Proud to Be a Kamala Man."
Film and Television Roles
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1997 | Going All the Way | Wilks | |
1998 | City of Angels | Construction Worker | |
1999 | Treasure Island | Samuel | |
2000 | Groove | Sergeant Channahon | |
Forever Lulu | Man at Boardner's | ||
2002 | Murder by Numbers | Officer at Richard's House | |
2004 | November | Officer Roberts | |
2005 | Cursed | Officer | |
Sin City | Shlubb | ||
2006 | Wristcutters: A Love Story | Cop | |
2007 | The Go-Getter | Nick the Potter | |
2008 | Harmony & Me | Meter Maid Man | |
2009 | The Men Who Stare at Goats | Scotty Mercer | |
Taking Chances | Sheriff Hoke Hollander | ||
2010 | Audrey the Trainwreck | David George | |
All Good Things | Jim McCarthy | ||
2012 | Somebody Up There Likes Me | Sal | Also producer |
21 Jump Street | Deputy Chief Hardy | ||
Casa de Mi Padre | DEA Agent Parker | ||
2013 | The Kings of Summer | Frank Toy | |
In a World... | Heners | ||
We're the Millers | Don Fitzgerald | ||
Paradise | Mr. Mannerhelm | ||
2014 | Nick Offerman: American Ham | Himself | Stand-up film; Also writer and executive producer |
The Lego Movie | MetalBeard | Voice role | |
Ernest & Celestine | George | Voice role; English dub | |
Date and Switch | Terry | ||
The Gunfighter | Narrator | Voice role; short film | |
22 Jump Street | Deputy Chief Hardy | ||
Believe Me | Sean | ||
2015 | A Walk in the Woods | REI Dave | |
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl | Victor Gaines | ||
Knight of Cups | Scott | ||
Danny Collins | Guy DeLoach | ||
Welcome to Happiness | Moses | ||
2016 | Ice Age: Collision Course | Gavin | Voice role |
Sing | Norman | Voice role | |
The Founder | Richard McDonald | ||
2017 | Gunter Babysits | Norman | Voice role; short film |
The House of Tomorrow | Alan Whitcomb | Also executive producer | |
The Little Hours | Lord Bruno | ||
The Hero | Jeremy | ||
My Life as a Courgette | Raymond | Voice role; English dub | |
Infinity Baby | Neo | ||
2018 | Nostalgia | Henry Greer | |
Hearts Beat Loud | Francis James "Frank" Fisher | ||
Bad Times at the El Royale | Felix O'Kelly | ||
White Fang | Marshal Weeden Scott | Voice role | |
2019 | The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part | MetalBeard | Voice role |
Frances Ferguson | Narrator | ||
Lucy in the Sky | Will Plimpton | ||
2020 | Sacred Cow | Narrator | Voice role |
2021 | Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans | Varvatos Vex | Voice role |
Sing 2 | Norman | Voice role | |
2023 | Origin | Dave | |
...: The Musical | Steve Chaney | ||
Dumb Money | Kenneth C. Griffin | ||
Candy Cane Lane | Pip | ||
2024 | Civil War | The President of the United States | |
The Life of Chuck | The Narrator | ||
2025 | Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning | General Sidney | |
Sovereign | Jerry Kane | ||
Smurfs ![]() |
Ken | Voice role; in production |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1997 | ER | Rog | Episode: "Ambush" |
1998 | Arliss | Packers Fan | Episode: "Fans First" |
Profiler | Bobby | Episode: "Double Vision" | |
KaBlam! | Colonel Kudzu | 2 episodes | |
1999 | The West Wing | Jerry | Episode: "The Crackpots and These Women" |
2001 | Will & Grace | Nick the Plumber | Episode: "Moveable Feast" |
2002 | The Practice | Charles Rossi | Episode: "Manifest Necessity" |
2003 | Good Morning Miami | Officer Nick | Episode: "About a Ploy" |
24 | Marcus | 3 episodes | |
The King of Queens | The Man | Episode: "Thanks, Man" | |
2001–2003 | NYPD Blue | Steven Debrees / Billy | 2 episodes |
2003–2004 | George Lopez | Randy | 8 episodes |
2004 | Deadwood | Tom Mason | Episode: "Deep Water" |
2005 | Life on a Stick | Greg | Episode: "The Gods of TV" |
Monk | Jack Whitman | Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Election" | |
2003–2005 | Gilmore Girls | Beau Belleville | 2 episodes |
2006 | CSI: NY | Joe Green | Episodes: "Cool Hunter" |
3 lbs | Dr. Coffey | Episodes: "Lost for Words" | |
2007 | American Body Shop | Rob | 10 episodes |
2008–2015 | Childrens Hospital | Chance Briggs | 14 episodes |
2009–2020 | Parks and Recreation | Ron Swanson | 125 episodes |
2012–2019 | Bob's Burgers | Cooper / Pete / Clem Clements (voices) | 3 episodes |
2012 | The Cleveland Show | Harris Grundle (voice) | Episode: "Tis the Cleveland to Be Sorry" |
2013 | Conan | Ron Burgundy | Episode: "Occupy Conan: When Outsourcing Goes Too Far" |
Out There | Doug (voice) | Episode: "Viking Days" | |
2013–2015 | Axe Cop | Axe Cop (voice) | 22 episodes; also executive producer |
2014 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Himself | Episode: "Nick Offerman Wears a Green Flannel Shirt & Brown Boots" |
Kroll Show | Vanya | Episode: "Krolling Around with Nick Klown" | |
2014–2015 | Gravity Falls | Agent Powers (voice) | 4 episodes |
2014–2021 | The Simpsons | Captain Joseph Bowditch (voice) | 2 episodes |
2014–2023 | Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | Guest actor and voice | 4 episodes |
2015 | Fargo | Karl Weathers | 5 episodes |
The Muppets | Himself | Episode: "Bear Left Then Bear Write" | |
You, Me and the Apocalypse | Buddy | Episode: "Still Stuff Worth Fighting For" | |
Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Frederick | Episode: "Ava" | |
2016 | Life in Pieces | Spencer | Episode: "Annulled Roommate Pill Shower" |
Son of Zorn | Dr. Klorpnis (voice) | 2 episodes | |
2017 | Comrade Detective | Captain Covaci (voice) | 5 episodes |
Curb Your Enthusiasm | Cody Goodger | Episode: "Fatwa!" | |
2018 | Will & Grace | Jackson Boudreaux | Episode: "Friends and Lover" |
2018–2021 | Making It | Himself (host) | 22 episodes |
2018–2019 | 3Below: Tales of Arcadia | Commander Varvatos Vex (voice) | 26 episodes |
2019 | Good Omens | Thaddeus Dowling | 2 episodes |
2020 | The Good Place | Nick Offerman | Episode: "Whenever You're Ready" |
Devs | Forest | Miniseries; 8 episodes | |
2021–present | The Great North | Beef Tobin (voice) | Series regular |
2021 | History of Swear Words | Himself | 5 episodes |
Duncanville | Zeb (voice) | Episode: "Das Banana Boot" | |
Colin in Black & White | Rick Kaepernick | 6 episodes | |
2022 | Pam & Tommy | Uncle Miltie | Miniseries |
37th Independent Spirit Awards | Himself (co-host) | Television special | |
The Resort | Murray Thompson | Main role | |
A League of Their Own | Dove Porter | 3 episodes | |
Who Do You Think You Are? | Himself | Episode 3 | |
2023 | The Last of Us | Bill | Episode: "Long, Long Time" |
Party Down | Dermott | Episode: "First Annual PI2A Symposium" | |
2024 | The Conners | Adam Chestnut | Episode: "The Publisher Cops Show Pilot" |
The Umbrella Academy | Dr. Gene Thibedeau | 6 episodes | |
2025 | 97th Academy Awards | Announcer | |
TBA | Death by Lightning | Chester A. Arthur | Upcoming miniseries |
Margo's Got Money Troubles | Jinx | Upcoming miniseries |
Video Games and Theme Parks
Year | Title | Voice role |
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1994 | Club Dead | Lewis Scudder |
2015 | Lego Dimensions | MetalBeard |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2016 | The Lego Movie: 4D – A New Adventure | MetalBeard (voice) |
Awards and Recognition
Year | Awards | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
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2023 | Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series | The Last of Us | Won | |
2011 | Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | Parks and Recreation | Nominated | ||
2012 | Nominated | ||||
2015 | Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie | Fargo | Nominated | ||
2023 | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series | The Last of Us | Won | |
2019 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program | Making It | Nominated | |
2020 | Nominated | ||||
2022 | Nominated | ||||
2023 | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series | The Last of Us | Won | ||
2023 | Saturn Awards | Best Guest Star in a Television Series | Nominated | ||
2010 | Television Critics Association Awards | Individual Achievement in Comedy | Parks and Recreation | Nominated | |
2011 | Won | ||||
2012 | Writers Guild of America Awards | Comedy Series | Nominated |