Parks & Recreation Celebrates 15th Anniversary as Beloved Cast Continues to Bring Us Laughs
Discover how the beloved cast continues to shine in NBC shows, Universal Pictures movies, and beyond.
April 09, 2024
Since we first fell in love with our dysfunctional group of Pawnee residents in 2009, NBC's Parks and Recreation cast has brought joy and laughter to households around the world. In the 15 years since, the stars have kept their comedy spark, and have found success within NBC television shows, Universal Pictures' movies, and more. The show was nominated for 14 Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy Series twice and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series six times for Poehler. The show was also nominated in categories including Outstanding Sound Mixing and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.
Can't get enough? Watch every episode of Universal Television’s Parks and Recreation with special bonus content only on Peacock, and shop exclusive themed merchandise at the NBC store.
Read below to see what your favorite Parks department employees have been up to since we said goodbye to them in 2015.
Adam Scott: From Lovable Nerd to Comedy Villain
After the former teenage mayor turned state auditor, Ben's nerdy charm and passion for calzones and board games made him a delightful addition to the Parks and Recreation Department. After finding romance with Leslie, Adam Scott went on to lead in Krampus (2015), a Christmas comedy horror film based on the eponymous character from Austro-Bavarian folklore, as well as play comedic villains in NBC's The Good Place (2016-2020) and Universal Television's Loot (2022-).
Retta: Beyond the Parks - Dazzling in Comedy and Drama
The confident and glamorous office manager of the Parks and Recreation Department, Donna rose to popularity with style and grace, all while treating herself to luxury, fine dining, and the finer things in life. Retta then starred in Universal Picture's Good Boys (2019), a movie where three 6th-grade boys ditch school and embark on an epic journey, and Good Girls (2018-2021), a fan-favorite Universal Television comedy-drama that ran for four seasons.
Chris Pratt: From Local Goofball to Franchise Superstar
A lovable goofball and aspiring musician, Andy's childlike enthusiasm and well-meaning antics often lead to chaos and hilarity in the Parks and Recreation Department. Pratt went on and channeled Andy's lovability in two major franchise leading roles, first as dinosaur expert Owen Grady in Universal's Jurassic World franchise, and most recently as the iconic video game character Mario, in Illumination's The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023).
Nick Offerman: Crafting Laughs Beyond the Parks Department
The meat-loving Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, Ron is known for his deadpan humor and love for woodworking. Offerman has brought his talents to Illumination's Sing (2016), NBC comedies The Good Place (2016-2020) and Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021), the Peacock's comedy-mystery original series, The Resort (2022), and received several Emmy nominations. He also was co-host, along with Parks & Recreation's Amy Poehler, on Making It, an NBC reality series where craftspeople skilled in different media compete to be named the "Master Maker" and win $100,000.
Watch Brookyln Nine-Nine on Peacock
Watch The Resort on Peacock
Aubrey Plaza: An NBC Journey from Sarcastic Intern to Comedy Icon
Initially an apathetic intern, April's sarcastic wit and dark humor evolved as she becomes more engaged in her work in Pawnee. The character mirrored much of Aubrey Plaza's true NBC experience, as the award-winning actress was an NBC page at 30 Rockefeller Plaza just a few years before playing an NBC page on Tina Fey's hit NBC sit-com, 30 Rock (2006-2013). In 2022, her career journey came full circle as she was invited back to the historic building as a host for Saturday Night Live. She also voiced the character of Julie Powers in UCP's Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023).
Watch Saturday Night Live on Peacock
Amy Poehler: From Pawnee's Heart to Hollywood Powerhouse
A dedicated and optimistic employee in Pawnee, Indiana, Leslie's unwavering passion for public service often leads to humorous and heartfelt endeavors in her quest to make Pawnee a better place. Prior to her time on Parks & Recreation, Poehler was a staple cast member and Weekend Update host on Saturday Night Live. Since then she has become a comedy industry powerhouse, working as a writer, actor, producer and more. Her production company Paper Kite Productions has produced numerous series with Universal Television, including Russian Doll, Making It, Baking It, and The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. Her works have received numerous Emmy nominations.
Watch Saturday Night Live on Peacock.
Watch Baking It on Peacock.
Watch The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning on Peacock.
Show Creators Greg Daniels and Michael Schur
After both comedians worked as writers for Saturday Night Live, Greg Daniels and Michael Schur continued to expand their resume as two of the biggest names in television comedy.
After Daniels developed NBC's The Office (2005-2013) and Parks & Recreation, he developed several pilots for Universal Television and recently produced Peacock's animated comedy In The Know (2024-).
Schur went on to create numerous smash-hit sit-coms, including Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021), The Good Place (2016-2020) and Rutherford Falls (2021-2022). He currently produces Universal Television’s award-winning comedy series Hacks and Primo. He is also in production on his new series from Universal Television, A Classic Spy reuniting him with star Ted Danson.
Watch The Office on Peacock.
Watch Saturday Night Live on Peacock.
Watch In The Know on Peacock.
Watch Rutherford Falls on Peacock.
Where to watch Parks & Recreation?
Watch every episode of Parks & Recreation and bonus content only on Peacock.
