One of the saddest things about Parks & Recreation coming to an end was saying goodbye to Ron Swanson, hilariously portrayed by Nick Offerman. The actor embodied Ron's bad temper and distinctive mannerisms with such passion that it was easy to believe the two were the same person. Alongside veteran comedians such as Amy Poehler, Aziz Ansari, and Aubrey Plaza, Offerman won over audiences with a quirky comedy show centered around the parks and recreation department of a small town.
Offerman's career dates back to the late-90s, but Ron Swanson's memorable quotes and peculiar charisma were what brought him into the spotlight. After the show ended, fans understood that Offerman knew a thing or two about range, using his natural talent for comedy in other ambitious projects but also exploring new genres such as drama and thriller.
8 Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl might seem like a fun teen movie at first sight, but viewers should be prepared to cry their hearts out in the end. Alternating between a free-spirited tribute to cinema and a powerful tale about friendship, the film counts on a cast full of life to tell the story of Greg, who spends most of his time making parodies of classic movies with his best friend Earl. Both Greg's senior year routine and his friendship with Earl are threatened when he's forced to befriend Rachel, a classmate with leukemia.
The film maintains an upbeat tone even when it delves into Rachel's character, brilliantly played by Olivia Cooke. The way Me and Earl and the Dying Girl effectively navigates through drama and comedy makes it the perfect movie for an actor such as Offerman, who plays Greg's dad and steals the show to himself with his unusual taste for movies.
7 Pam & Tommy (2022)
Pam & Tommy is a recent docudrama worth watching, focusing on the turbulent relationship of real-life stars Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee, which started with the two getting married after only knowing each other for 96 hours and ended with a public scandal. The miniseries delves deep into all the ups and downs of their relationship and how the media portrayed the case.
With a long wig and a voluminous beard, Offerman looks quite different as Uncle Miltie, a pornographic director who takes an interest in Pam and Tommy's leaked sex video. The actor stars alongside other veterans such as Lily James and Sebastian Stan, who bring to the screen two familiar celebrities and all their idiosyncrasies.
6 Fargo (2014-2023)
Fargo is an anthological show loosely inspired by the Coen brothers film of the same name, dealing with stories about crime and betrayal with distinctive black humor, connected to the small town of Fargo, North Dakota. Scoring 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, Fargo's second season is the most critically acclaimed, following a power struggle between two brothers with violent consequences.
Offerman has a significant role as Karl Weathers, the town's only lawyer. In each season, Fargo offers a set of morally ambiguous characters in a series of absurd situations that often end in violence. While it doesn't have much in common with the plot of the 90s movie, the show remains faithful to the Coen brothers tone with sharp satires and outrageously funny situations.
5 The Little Hours (2017)
Offerman reunites with his Parks & Recreation screen partner Aubrey Plaza on The Little Hours, an unconventional comedy set in a convent, in 1347. Offerman plays a quirky nobleman and Plaza is an unorthodox nun in this tale of temptation, where a young servant seeks shelter at a convent that is anything but sacred.
The Little Hours is as scandalous as it is hilarious, delivering a snowball of atrocities that quickly get out of hand. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but the inventive setting and the politically incorrect humor take all sorts of unexpected directions. The film is a great option especially for those who miss Ron and April in Parks & Recreation.
4 Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
Although Offerman has a significantly small role in Bad Times at the El Royale, the movie is worth checking out if one's looking for a gripping crime mystery. Offerman's quick appearance sets the tone of the movie and establishes a tense atmosphere that spirals out of control; set in the late-60s, a decadent hotel with a mysterious past welcomes seven strangers with many secrets to bury. Bad Times at the El Royale offers a range of different characters, each one with unbelievable twists to offer the narrative, and a star-studded cast that includes Jeff Bridges, Dakota Johnson, and Chris Hemsworth.
3 Devs (2020)
A chilling mystery miniseries with hints of corporate horror, Devs is a great option for those who want to see Offerman outside his comfort zone. The show revolves around a young computer engineer, Lily, convinced that a disruptive tech company is behind the mysterious murder of her boyfriend. Offerman plays the company's CEO, Forest, a man whose only goal is to revert a tragic accident from his past that haunts him to this day.
Devs is directed by Ex Machina and Annihilationdirector Alex Garland, so fans can expect plenty of intellectual insights on technology and its implications in the future. Devs is an eerie slow-burn that takes its time to unravel each character's intentions before getting into shocking revelations.
2 Hearts Beat Loud (2018)
As opposed to Ron Swanson's perpetually grumpy personality, Offerman's character in Hearts Beat Loud breathes cheerfulness in an upbeat story about fatherhood and music. The film is centered around Frank and Sam, a father and daughter who find comfort and passion in the connection the two share with music.
Hearts Beat Loud is wholesome from beginning to end, portraying music as the sole force that ties people and communities together. It's easy to get into the narrative with such an energetic pace and a stellar cast that includes Toni Collette and Kiersey Clemons.
1 The Last of Us (2023-Present)
Although Offerman's role in The Last of Us was brief and straightforward, it generated quite an impact on the audience and the show itself, enriching the world-building of a post-apocalyptical world across different years. The actor is the star of Season 1, Episode 3, "Long, Long Time," which follows the character Bill surviving by himself in a world plagued by a dangerous epidemic until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.
While one might argue the episode doesn't impact the show's narrative directly, no better episode can summarize what The Last of Us really is about than this one. It's all about finding love and connection in difficult times, and thanks to Murray Bartlett and Offerman's intimate performances, the episode manages to deliver this message with an emotional gut punch. To think Offerman almost turned down the role, the episode wouldn't have had the same impact.
