Nick Offerman Bio
Nicholas David Offerman (born June 26, 1970) is an American actor, comedian, carpenter, and writer. He became widely known for his role as Ron Swanson in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation (2009–2015), for which he received the Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy and was twice nominated for the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Offerman has also appeared in the second season of the FX series Fargo (2015), for which he received a nomination for the Critics’ Choice Television Award, as well as the FX on Hulu series Pam & Tommy (2022) and the HBO series The Last of Us (2023), for which he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. Offerman’s other work includes executive producing and starring in the film The House of Tomorrow (2017). He also played the President of the United States in the movie Civil War (2024), directed by Alex Garland. He voiced Agent Powers on Gravity Falls (2012–2016) and has provided voice acting work for The Lego Movie franchise (2014–2019), Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015), Ice Age: Collision Course (2016), the two films of the Sing franchise (2016–present), and Smurfs (2025). He also hosted Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics (2020).
Early Life and Background
Nicholas David Offerman was born in Joliet, Illinois, on June 26, 1970, the son of nurse Cathy (née Roberts) and social studies teacher Ric Offerman. His father taught at a high school in Minooka. Offerman was raised Catholic in nearby Minooka, where he attended Minooka Community High School. He received a BFA from the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign in 1993. That year, he and a group of fellow students co-founded the Chicago theatre company Defiant Theatre. His parents were initially bewildered by his desire to become an actor, stating that it was bizarre to them as nobody in their town had ever gone into the arts.
Path to Hollywood
Offerman lived in Chicago in the mid-1990s, where he participated with theater companies such as Steppenwolf, Goodman, and Wisdom Bridge. At Steppenwolf, he also worked as a fight choreographer and master carpenter, having been trained in carpentry by his father. During this time, Offerman became acquainted with Amy Poehler, who was heavily involved with the Chicago improv comedy scene. Offerman can be seen on the big screen briefly as a construction worker in City of Angels (1998) and later in other films such as November (2004), Cursed (2005), Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005), Sin City (2005), and The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009). He also appeared in the 2006 film Wristcutters: A Love Story as a cop who attempts to arrest Shannyn Sossamon’s character, Mikal.
Nick Offerman Career
Early Career (1994–2008)
Offerman began his acting career in the mid-1990s, making appearances in various television shows and films. In 2003, he married Will & Grace actress Megan Mullally. He began appearing on television as a plumber on Will & Grace and had roles in The King of Queens, 24, and The West Wing. His most prominent role prior to Parks and Recreation was as a factory worker and Benny Lopez’s love interest Randy McGee on George Lopez. He appeared twice on Gilmore Girls and in the third-season episode of Monk. In 2007, Offerman co-starred in the Comedy Central series American Body Shop.
Breakthrough (2009–2015)
In 2009, Offerman was cast in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation as Ron Swanson, the deadpan, government-hating head of a city parks department and boss of Amy Poehler’s character Leslie Knope. Slate magazine declared Offerman “Parks and Recreation’s secret weapon,” noting his ability to steal scenes and his gift for understated physical comedy. The role weaves antagonism and political philosophy with humanity, contrasting his character’s intense libertarian philosophy against the social liberalism of Poehler’s character. Offerman’s performance in Parks and Recreation solidified his status in Hollywood and earned him critical acclaim.
Notable Works and Milestones
Offerman’s signature work as Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation earned him numerous accolades, including the Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy. He also starred in the second season of Fargo, where he played a significant role that garnered him further recognition.
Career Expansion (2016–present)
Offerman portrayed Dick McDonald in The Founder (2016) and launched his Full Bush Tour in 2017, which included 28 shows across the U.S. and Canada. In 2023, he appeared in the HBO series The Last of Us as Bill, a role that received critical acclaim and led to his win for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series at the 2023 Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Offerman has continued to expand his career with various projects, including starring in the upcoming film Sovereign (2025) alongside Jacob Tremblay and Dennis Quaid.
Nick Offerman Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Nick Offerman has received several nominations for his performances, particularly for his role in Parks and Recreation and The Last of Us.
Nick Offerman Awards Won
Nick Offerman won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his role in The Last of Us in 2023.
Nick Offerman Family
Nick Offerman married actress Megan Mullally on September 20, 2003. They met while co-starring in the play The Berlin Circle and have worked together on various projects, including Parks and Recreation and The Kings of Summer.
Personal Life
Offerman and Mullally have shared their personal lives through their podcast, In Bed with Nick and Megan, where they discuss their experiences and interview guests. They began a live comedy tour in 2016, themed around their relationship and personal anecdotes.
