The Parks and Recreation cast initially came together in 2009 and stayed together for a few years before bidding each other farewell in 2015, after delivering a stunning 7 seasons and winning numerous hearts and accolades worldwide. Over the years since then, the cast has truly come a long way, some making it big while others choosing to keep a low-key profile.
Thus, here’s a sneak peek and brief overview of the lives of all the leading actors of the show. This includes Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Paul Schneider, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, Jim O’Heir, Retta, and Billy Eichner, a majority of whom have come a significant way since they first started. Without further ado, dig in!
12. Paul Schneider (Mark Brendanawicz)
When Parks and Rec originally made its way to the screens, Paul Schneider was one of the original cast members, playing city planner Mark Brendanawicz. Throughout the time he was on the show, his character had occasional romantic tension with Leslie Knope. However, Schneider didn’t stay for long, leaving the show after Season 2.
Since then, though, Schneider has mostly stayed away from major mainstream hits, instead focusing largely on independent films and opting for smaller and more character-driven roles. Schneiderʼs net worth details, though, arenʼt publicly available, as of this writing.
11. Billy Eichner (Craig Middlebrooks)
Billy Eichner wasn’t a part of Parks and Recreation right from the beginning, but when he did debut as Craig Middlebrooks, he made sure to make his presence known. Joining the cast a bit later, he gave an epic performance as the explosively emotional and high-strung Craig, who often exploded into comedic yelling fits.
Over the years that have since followed, Eichner has leveraged that comedic style into his own projects. He is known for his viral comedy presence in Billy on the Street, co-wrote and starred in the romantic comedy Bros, and has also done voice roles in major blockbusters like the remake of The Lion King. Celebrity Net Worth reported his net worth to be around $8 million.
10. Jim O’Heir (Jerry Gergich)
Jim O’Heir is yet another star who earned his breakthrough in Hollywood’s entertainment industry through Parks and Rec. As a recurring cast member of the show, he played the character of Jerry Gergich, aka the lovable yet chronically mocked Parks Department employee who was always getting the worst assignments but maintained in remaining sweet and faithful.
Although he hasn’t quite made it as big as some of his other co-stars, keeping a low profile, O’Heir has kept working steadily with smaller roles and guest appearances, and has even published a book about his time on the fan-favorite sitcom (see PEOPLE). His net worth, as of this writing, has been estimated at $3 million, per Celebrity Net Worth.
9. Retta (Donna Meagle)
Through Parks and Recreation, Retta broke out as Donna Meagle and did a truly impeccable job at that. As the confident, sassy, and self-assured office manager who stole many scenes with just a look or a quip, the actress, stand-up comedian, and author earned her breakthrough through the role.
She has since been involved in numerous projects, and is currently busy hosting HGTV’s Ugliest House in America, which is ongoing its sixth season, as of this writing. The show is also fronting a spin-off called Scariest House in America, where Retta tours real homes with creepy, scary, or weird features. Her shows combine her comedic flair with home-renovation content, and she remains a favorite for her honesty and energy.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, the icon’s net worth currently stands at $3 million, as of 2025.
8. Rashida Jones (Ann Perkins)
When Rashida Jones stepped into Parks and Rec as Ann Perkins, she was already well-known from her performance as Karen in the smash-hit sitcom The Office. Still, she did her job perfectly in doing justice to Leslie Knope’s thoughtful and kind friend Ann.
Her career has been marked by numerous substantial projects over the years that followed since the sitcom’s conclusion, including especially her Netflix documentary Quincy, which was about her father, Quincy Jones. The actress-filmmaker has successfully earned a Grammy Award and two Emmy Award nominations for her outstanding work as well.
As of this writing, Jones’ net worth has been estimated at a nice $25 million, as per the numbers recorded by Celebrity Net Worth.
7. Rob Lowe (Chris Traeger)
While his role as Chris Traeger earned him significant fame and acclaim in the entertainment industry, Rob Lowe was actually already relatively well-known before Parks and Recreation. Perhaps it was due to his prior experience, but either way, the actor didn’t hesitate to transform his character into one defined by boundless optimism and energy.
Since then, he has built up a praiseworthy career for himself as an actor, filmmaker, and entertainment host. Besides his notable role as Captain Owen Strand on the Fox drama 9-1-1: Lone Star, he also made his directorial debut with the television film The Bad Seed in 2018. Currently, he’s hosting and executive producing the Fox game show The Floor, which was renewed for two more seasons.
Oh, and by the way, he has also starred with his son in the Netflix comedy Unstable, though that series was canceled after two seasons. All that explains his ginormous net worth of $100 million, for sure (via Celebrity Net Worth)!
6. Amy Poehler (Leslie Knope)
Back when Parks and Rec began and she was cast in the leading role as Leslie Knope, Amy Poehler was already a pretty established actress. For one, she had earned enough acclaim as a comedian from Saturday Night Live. So when the role of the beating heart of the show, aka Knope, came along, it only further boosted her fame, earning her a Golden Globe nod early on.
In the years that followed since the sitcom’s conclusion, Poehler has continued to make a name for herself as a commendable industry talent. Not only has she worked on numerous pieces like Mean Girls, the Inside Out saga, and Russian Doll as an actress, writer, producer, and director, but she has also co-hosted the Golden Globe Awards multiple times over the years.
Poehler’s long list of accolades includes a Primetime Emmy (out of 26 nominations) and a Golden Globe, along with nods for a Peabody Award and a Grammy. She is returning to comedy television with a new series called Dig, which she co-created with longtime collaborator Mike Schur, and in which she will not just star, but also write and executive produce.
Amy Poehler’s net worth as of 2025 has been estimated at $30 million, per Celebrity Net Worth.
5. Aziz Ansari (Tom Haverford)
Years ago, Aziz Ansari debuted in Parks and Recreation as Tom Haverford. Besides being Pawnee’s entrepreneur, Haverford was famed for always being stylish and full of schemes, serving as one of the show’s comedic standouts, with special thanks to the actor’s outstanding performance.
Ansari’s career didn’t disappoint even after the sitcom ended, either. If anything, he boosted his fame when he created, wrote, directed, and even starred in the Netflix series Master of None, which won him a Golden Globe and numerous Emmy Awards. Not to mention, he also continues to remain active in stand-up specials.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, his net worth currently stands at a brilliant $25 million, with his salary estimated to be approximately $9 million per year, as of this writing. Sweet!
4. Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson)
Nick Offerman gained fame as the libertarian head of Pawnee’s Parks Department, with his performance as Ron Swanson deemed secretly soft but largely stoic and deadpan. Since then, he has come a long, long way.
Over the years, Offerman has built a diverse career for himself as an actor, comedian, and author. His turn as Bill in Episode 3, Long, Long Time, of HBO’s The Last of Us even won him his first Emmy for Guest Actor in a Drama Series, further proving his outstandingness as an actor. He remains a beloved figure in both comedy and drama.
Not only this, but the star has also won a number of awards and honors, including a Television Critics Association Award and two nominations for Critics’ Choice Television Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Offerman’s net worth is a praiseworthy $25 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth.
3. Adam Scott (Ben Wyatt)
Though he wasn’t a part of the show right from the beginning, Adam Scott joined Parks and Rec as Ben Wyatt in Season 2. While he was also acting in Party Down at the time, the actor left no stone unturned in his portrayal of Ben, aka the socially awkward state auditor and Leslie Knope’s later love interest.
Following that role, he went on to star in numerous comedic and other roles, though the project that garnered him the most acclaim to that is Apple TV+’s Severance. The role not only earned him four Emmy nods but also nominated him for a Golden Globe, both for acting as well as producing.
Apart from that, he has also appeared in HBO’s drama series Big Little Lies, the NBC comedy show The Good Place, and in the Starz sitcom Party Down. His net worth, as of 2025, has been estimated at approximately $8 million, per Celebrity Net Worth.
2. Aubrey Plaza (April Ludgate)
Decades ago, Aubrey Plaza was chosen for the role of April Ludgate in Parks and Recreation, and her life pretty much changed from there. She broke out as the deadpan, cynical April, which turned out to be a role that showcased her unique comedic style.
That role is all in the past now, though, since Plaza has successfully earned both critical as well as commercial success in indie and mainstream films over the years. Not to mention, her performance in Season 2 of The White Lotus even earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
Besides this, Plaza is also famed for her work in films like Ingrid Goes West and Emily the Criminal, with her more recent involvement being in the multibillion-dollar franchise Marvel’s Agatha All Along in the main villainous role of Death not to mention her commendable net worth, which currently stands at a sweet $10 million, per Celebrity Net Worth.
1. Chris Pratt (Andy Dwyer)
Last on this last, but actually the first, Chris Pratt. Back when he was initially cast in Parks and Rec in the role of Andy Dwyer, the actor did a commendable job as the lovable, dim-witted slacker and part-time musician, and a supporting cast member for much of the series. Since then, he has actually come quite a loooong way.
Over the years, Pratt has become a huge Hollywood star, leading major franchises as a heartthrob fan-beloved star. He has played Star-Lord in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, starred in a leading role in the Jurassic World saga, and even lent his voice to flicks like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Garfield Movie, the former of which was a global blockbuster.
As of 2025, his net worth has been estimated at around $100 million, per Celebrity Net Worth. That said, it’s unarguable how Pratt has gone from being a sitcom favorite to a global box office draw, truly making it big in the entertainment industry!
Well, irrespective of how far they have come since the days of working on Parks and Recreation, all these actors have made sure to follow the trail that their hearts wanted, and at the end of the day, that’s all that truly matters. Don’t you agree?
You can stream Parks and Rec on Netflix.
