TV

'Parks and Recreation': Amy Poehler and co-stars then and now

USA TODAY
Amy Poehler celebrates her 50th birthday on Sept. 16, 2021. To celebrate, we ' re looking back on what she and her fellow " Parks and Recreation " co-stars have been up to since the NBC comedy ' s finale in 2015. Here, she ' s pictured with Nick Offerman (left), when they reunited for NBC crafting competition show " Making It. "
Amy Poehler celebrates her 50th birthday on Sept. 16, 2021. To celebrate, we're looking back on what she and her fellow "Parks and Recreation" co-stars have been up to since the NBC comedy's finale in 2015. Here, she's pictured with Nick Offerman (left), when they reunited for NBC crafting competition show "Making It."
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
Amy Poehler played Leslie Knope, a cheerful parks and rec employee with political ambitions who loves government and her town of Pawnee, Indiana.
Amy Poehler played Leslie Knope, a cheerful parks and rec employee with political ambitions who loves government and her town of Pawnee, Indiana.
Colleen Hayes, NBC
Poehler voiced Joy in "Inside Out," a character who represented the optimistic part of a young girl's mind. She also released a book, "Yes, Please," and co-founded Amy Poehler's Smart Girls, which is "dedicated to helping young people cultivate their authentic selves," according to its website.
Poehler voiced Joy in "Inside Out," a character who represented the optimistic part of a young girl's mind. She also released a book, "Yes, Please," and co-founded Amy Poehler's Smart Girls, which is "dedicated to helping young people cultivate their authentic selves," according to its website.
Disney/Pixar
Nick Offerman played Ron Swanson, the cantankerous director of Pawnee's parks and rec department.
Nick Offerman played Ron Swanson, the cantankerous director of Pawnee's parks and rec department.
Danny Feld, NBC
Offerman played lawyer Karl Weathers in the second season of Fargo on FX. He also had a recurring role on Adult Swim's "Childrens Hospital" and made a guest appearance on "Will & Grace," which stars his wife, Megan Mullally.
Offerman played lawyer Karl Weathers in the second season of Fargo on FX. He also had a recurring role on Adult Swim's "Childrens Hospital" and made a guest appearance on "Will & Grace," which stars his wife, Megan Mullally.
Chris Large/FX
Ron Swanson's seriousness was balanced by the fun-loving parks and rec employee Andy Dwyer, played by Chris Pratt.
Ron Swanson's seriousness was balanced by the fun-loving parks and rec employee Andy Dwyer, played by Chris Pratt.
NBC
Pratt has become a movie box-office megastar with hits including "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Jurassic World" and "The Lego Movie."
Pratt has become a movie box-office megastar with hits including "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Jurassic World" and "The Lego Movie."
AP
Leslie's love interest on the show was Ben Wyatt, played by Adam Scott. Ben was a state auditor who came to check on the parks and rec department and never left.
Leslie's love interest on the show was Ben Wyatt, played by Adam Scott. Ben was a state auditor who came to check on the parks and rec department and never left.
Colleen Hayes, NBC
Scott starred with Craig Robinson on Fox ' s " Ghosted, " which only lasted for one season. He also starred with Robinson in the movie " Hot Tub Time Machine " and made a guest appearance on NBC ' s " The Good Place. "
Scott starred with Craig Robinson on Fox's "Ghosted," which only lasted for one season. He also starred with Robinson in the movie "Hot Tub Time Machine" and made a guest appearance on NBC's "The Good Place."
Kevin Estrada/FOX
Leslie's best friend was Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones), a nurse who is inspired to work in government.
Leslie's best friend was Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones), a nurse who is inspired to work in government.
NBC
Jones acted opposite Hayes MacArthur on TBS ' s " Angie Tribeca, " a comedy that takes a satirical look at police procedural shows, and starred in Netflix ' s " #blackAF. " She ' s also stepped behind the camera, as a writer for " Toy Story 4 " and director of a documentary about her father, Quincy Jones.
Jones acted opposite Hayes MacArthur on TBS's "Angie Tribeca," a comedy that takes a satirical look at police procedural shows, and starred in Netflix's "#blackAF." She's also stepped behind the camera, as a writer for "Toy Story 4" and director of a documentary about her father, Quincy Jones.
Tyler Golden, TBS
Rob Lowe played Chris Traeger, a city manager who eventually marries Ann.
Rob Lowe played Chris Traeger, a city manager who eventually marries Ann.
Danny Feld, NBC
Lowe played an actor who used to be a TV lawyer opposite Fred Savage on Fox ' s " The Grinder, " and acted in CBS ' s " Code Black. " He currently hosts a " Parks and Rec " rewatch podcast, titled " Parks and Recollection. "
Lowe played an actor who used to be a TV lawyer opposite Fred Savage on Fox's "The Grinder," and acted in CBS's "Code Black." He currently hosts a "Parks and Rec" rewatch podcast, titled "Parks and Recollection."
Ray Mickshaw, FOX
Aziz Ansari was Tom Haverford, Leslie's sarcastic employee in the parks and rec department.
Aziz Ansari was Tom Haverford, Leslie's sarcastic employee in the parks and rec department.
Colleen Hayes, NBC
Ansari created and starred in " Master of None, " a show about a the personal and professional life of an actor in New York City. Ansari stepped out of the spotlight and the series was later reworked to focus on the other characters following a 2018 allegation of sexual misconduct against him.
Ansari created and starred in "Master of None," a show about a the personal and professional life of an actor in New York City. Ansari stepped out of the spotlight and the series was later reworked to focus on the other characters following a 2018 allegation of sexual misconduct against him.
Netflix
Retta, who played parks and rec employee Donna Meagle, starred on NBC ' s " Good Girls " as a desperate suburban mother who robs a grocery store with two friends to help her daughter. She has also recently leant her voice to animated shows including " Big Mouth, " " Pinky Malinky, " and " DuckTales. "
Retta, who played parks and rec employee Donna Meagle, starred on NBC's "Good Girls" as a desperate suburban mother who robs a grocery store with two friends to help her daughter. She has also recently leant her voice to animated shows including "Big Mouth," "Pinky Malinky," and "DuckTales."
Steve Dietl, NBC
Aubrey Plaza was Ron ' s assistant, April Ludgate, on the NBC series. She can currently be seen in FX ' s " Legion " with Dan Stevens as a mutant in his mind. She has since acted in several films including " Happiest Season, " " The Lighthouse " and " Black Bear. "
Aubrey Plaza was Ron's assistant, April Ludgate, on the NBC series. She can currently be seen in FX's "Legion" with Dan Stevens as a mutant in his mind. She has since acted in several films including "Happiest Season," "The Lighthouse" and "Black Bear." 
Suzanne Tenner, FX