Nick Offerman is an American actor, director, comedian, and writer who gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of the rugged libertarian Ron Swanson, a meat and whiskey enthusiast, in the satirical series "Parks and Recreation." In 2021, he was confirmed to play the role of Bill in the film adaptation of the video game "The Last of Us."
Nick Offerman
Childhood
Nick was born on June 26, 1970 in the industrial city of Joliet, Illinois, to Rick Offerman, a teacher, and Kathy Roberts, a nurse. The actor has a younger brother, Matt, as well as sisters Laurie and Kerry.
Nick Offerman as a child
His early years were spent on his grandfather's farm, where Nick learned woodworking and how to plow the fields. As a teenager, Offerman was involved in sports, learned to play the saxophone, and became passionate about acting.
During the school years, Nick was involved in sports
After graduating from high school in 1989, Nick enrolled in the University of Illinois, where he studied acting professionally. His innate artistic talent and carpentry skills came in handy during his studies - the young man often crafted decorations for performances himself.
Nick Offerman in his youth
After graduating from university in 1993, Offerman and his friends headed to Chicago to conquer the city. There, the group founded the experimental theater company, "Defiant Theatre." Unfortunately, the venture did not bring the actors the expected success, and the earnings from performances barely covered their basic needs. Offerman had to work as a woodworker and teach dance classes to make ends meet.
Nick Offerman: A Nun Showed Me P*rn At Age 12 - CONAN on TBS
Acting Career
In the late 1990s, Nick Offerman began his film career. His first role was in the thriller "Chain Reaction" with Keanu Reeves and Morgan Freeman, in which he appeared in two scenes. However, his scenes were cut from the final version of the film. This fact did not disappoint the actor too much, as he still received his fee and made it onto the Screen Actors Guild list.
Nick Offerman Answers the Web's Most Searched Questions | WIRED
Offerman's appearance on the big screen came in 1997 with the release of the film "Going All the Way." Although the movie did not allow the young man to fully showcase his acting skills, the film's director, Mark Pellington, recognized Offerman's talent and predicted a successful career in Hollywood for him, insisting that Nick move there.
Young Nick Offerman without mustaches
In 1998, Nick played a builder in a scene of director Wim Wenders' remake of the film "Wings of Desire" called "City of Angels," starring Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan in the lead roles.
Offerman in the film City of Angels
In 2002, the artist appeared in a small role in the film "Murder by Numbers," partially based on true events. He shared the screen with Sandra Bullock, Ryan Gosling, and Michael Pitt.
As a police officer in Murder by Numbers
In the same years, Offerman's television career began to take off. In 2003, he appeared in the comedy series "Will & Grace" and in three episodes of the drama "24." He could also be seen in popular shows such as "Deadwood," "NYPD Blue," "Gilmore Girls," and others.
Nick Offerman in the TV series Deadwood
In 2005, Nick appeared in the anthology film "Sin City" as Bert Schlubb, a criminal nicknamed Fat Man.
The Fat Man from Sin City
In 2009, Offerman landed the role that changed his life. He was cast as Ron Swanson in the comedy series "Parks and Recreation." Previously, he had auditioned for a similar role in "The Office," but was not convincing enough. However, "The Office" producers Michael Schur and Greg Daniels remembered him and invited him to work on the new project.
Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson
The character of Ron Swanson seemed to be written specifically for the actor. An unflappable hedonist, a staunch libertarian who opposes government interference in private life - he was the complete opposite of the show's energetic idealist, Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler). Ron is a man of many talents, such as playing the saxophone virtuosically, just like Nick, and carving masterpieces out of wood, just like the actor.
The Best Of Ron Swanson (Parks and Recreation)
Film critics called Offerman a true find for showrunners and a "genius of physical comedy," while many viewers believed that it was Offerman who saved the show, which had low ratings after a rather mediocre first season.
However, the show improved in the second season, with Offerman's and Chris Pratt's storylines becoming more significant. Ron Swanson's famous line, "I'm a simple man... I like pretty, dark-haired women and breakfast food," even became a meme. The final, seventh season aired in 2015.
Cast of the TV series Parks and Recreation
After "Parks and Recreation," Offerman admitted that he sees himself in supporting roles, and that this work brings him great pleasure. He was inspired by the character of Christopher Lloyd from the old sitcom "Taxi," guru philosopher, drug addict, and taxi driver Jim Ignatowski.
In 2012, audiences saw Nick as Deputy Chief Hardy in the action-comedy "21 Jump Street."
Nick Offerman in the movie 21 Jump Street
From 2013 to 2015, he worked as an executive producer and voiced the main character in the American adult animated sitcom "Axe Cop."
Offerman voiced Axe Cop
In 2014, Offerman appeared in the series "Fargo," playing the role of Karl Weathers, a friend of police officer Lou Solverson's family.
Scene from the TV series Fargo
In October 2018, Offerman starred in the detective thriller "Bad Times at the El Royale," playing the role of criminal Felix O'Kelly.
In 2019, viewers were delighted with the release of the series "Good Omens," based on the famous book by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Nick was given the supporting role of attache Thaddeus, the father of the future "Antichrist."
Offerman as Thaddeus
The transformation of the actor into the owner of a large corporation in the mini-series "Devs" turned out to be interesting for him. The film reveals the drama of the CEO of a large IT company that develops quantum technologies that allow the reconstruction of the past and prediction of the future.
Scene from the TV series Devs
In addition to his on-screen work, Oффerмaн is also known as a voice actor. He lent his voice to the character of Metal Beard in "The Lego Movie", voiced George in "Ernest & Celestine", Mike in "Hotel Transylvania 2", Gavin in "Ice Age: Collision Course", and Raymond in "The Good Dinosaur".
Nick Offerman's Personal Life
While Ron Swanson studiously avoided his ex-wives and generally established himself as a misanthrope and loner, Nick Offerman in real life is an exemplary husband and family man.
Nick Offerman with his wife
During the production of The Berlin Circle play in the early 2000s, he met actress Megan Mullally. Offerman fell in love with her at first sight, but she didn't immediately see him as a life partner. Later she confessed:
I always dated tough guys, rock drummers. And Nick was my colleague in the workshop, I didn't even think of him as a man I could be with.
The couple got married in 2003. They have almost a 12-year age difference, but it didn't prevent them from creating a strong family. The spouses try not to be apart for more than 2 weeks and call it the secret to a harmonious marriage. "We love doing everything together - from performing on stage to writing books while lying in bed," the couple shared in an interview.
Nick Offerman Now
Actor Nick Offerman is currently actively acting in movies. At the end of 2021, it was announced that he had been cast as Bill in the film adaptation of the video game "The Last Of Us". This was accidentally revealed by actor Murray Bartlett, who has been cast as Frank, with Bill being his lover in the story.
The main roles in the show were played by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. The series premiered in early 2023 on HBO Max. Offernan's character appeared in the third episode, which was almost entirely dedicated to the backstory of Bill and Frank. The episode received a lot of criticism, but the actor responded to all the haters:
Buddy, your brand of ignorance and hate is exactly why we make stories like this.
Nick Offerman also appeared in the mini-series "Pam and Tommy," which tells the story of the scandal that erupted around actress Pamela Anderson and musician Tommy Lee after their personal home video was released to the public.
Other Achievements
Throughout his long acting career, Offerman has been nominated for various awards. Among his accolades are an award for Best Voice Cast in an Animated Feature Film for "The Lego Movie" and a Television Critics Association (TCA) Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy, which he received for his role in "Parks and Recreation."
For his role as Ron Swanson, the actor was awarded the TCA Award
In 2019 and 2020, Nick was nominated for an Emmy Award in the "Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program" category for the show "Making It". It is a reality show about hand-made and DIY, which Nick co-hosted with his "Parks and Recreation" colleague, Amy Poehler.
Nick Offerman is also known for appearing in commercials in addition to his film and TV roles. In 2015 and 2016, viewers saw him in an ad for whiskey where he simply enjoyed a Lagavulin drink for 45 seconds.
In October 2018, Nick and his wife released the book "The Greatest Love Story Ever Told". In the book, the couple describes the story of their relationship and reveals some secrets to a strong marriage.
Also, Offerman has written and published three autobiographical works:
2013: Paddle Your Canoe: One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living
2015: Gumption: Relighting the Torch of Freedom with America's Gutsiest Troublemakers
2016 год: Good Clean Fun: Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Woodshop.
Nick Offerman signing his books
Nick Offerman owns the Offerman Wood Shop, a handmade wooden goods store in Los Angeles. He designed several products himself. In his free time from acting, Nick continues to practice woodworking.
Touring Nick Offerman’s Wood Shop | Ask This Old House
