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Parks and Recreation character guide

Who is Andy Dwyer in Parks and Recreation?

The lovable, dim, endlessly enthusiastic shoeshiner and frontman of Mouse Rat, who falls into Pawnee's most famous pit in the pilot and ends up married to April Ludgate.

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Show
Parks and Recreation
Debut
2009
Network
NBC
Role
Main
Gender
Male

Andy Dwyer has not been a daily answer yet. Play today's Sitcomdle or play the Parks and Recreation Wordle.

Show
Parks and Recreation
Played by
Chris Pratt
First episode
“Pilot”Season 1, Episode 1, aired April 9, 2009
Role
Main cast
Network
NBC
Occupation
Shoeshiner, rock musician, and kids' TV host
Show run
2009 to 2015
Also known as
Andrew Maxwell Dwyer, Burt Macklin, Johnny Karate

Andy Dwyer is a big-hearted goofball who greets every day like it might be the best one ever. Chris Pratt plays him with such warmth that a one-season guest role turned into a full-time spot in the cast.

On Parks and Recreation, Andy Dwyer's story runs through April Ludgate (Wife), Ann Perkins (Ex-girlfriend), Leslie Knope (Friend and Boss), Ron Swanson (Friend), and Tom Haverford (Friend).

Andy Dwyer from Parks and Recreation: Sitcomdle character card

Who is Andy Dwyer?

Andy is introduced as Ann Perkins's boyfriend, the guy who broke both legs falling into the abandoned construction pit near her house. He moves on from that rough start to run a shoeshine stand at Pawnee City Hall, then becomes Leslie's assistant and head of security during her campaign.

He is also the lead singer and guitarist of Mouse Rat, a local rock band that has gone through a long list of names. Later he becomes the host of a local kids' TV show, Johnny Karate, which suits him perfectly.

Personality and comedy

Andy is sweet, guileless, and not especially bright, and Pratt has described him as a lovable idiot. He gets excited about everything, believes the best about everyone, and commits completely to any game of pretend, especially when he becomes his alter ego, FBI agent Burt Macklin.

His innocence makes him the perfect match for April, whose dark sarcasm softens around him. Together they are a pair of overgrown kids who somehow make each other better.

Key storylines

After Ann breaks up with him, Andy spends season two trying to win her back before realizing his real connection is with April. The two marry in a surprise ceremony in season three, and their marriage becomes one of the show's warmest threads.

Andy writes the tribute song "5,000 Candles in the Wind" for the beloved miniature horse Li'l Sebastian, aces the written police exam but fails the psychological evaluation, and spends part of season six working in London. In season seven he hosts The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show, and the finale's flash-forwards show him and April becoming parents.

Behind the scenes and legacy

Andy was originally written as a guest role for season one, but the producers liked Chris Pratt so much that they made him a series regular from season two. His smaller presence in season six was partly due to Pratt filming Guardians of the Galaxy, the role that turned him into a movie star.

Pratt gained weight to play Andy, and when he slimmed down for Guardians, the show turned it into a joke: Andy claims he lost 50 pounds in a month just by cutting out beer. Andy remains a fan favorite and an early showcase for Pratt's comic talents.

Key Andy Dwyer episodes

  1. “Pilot”Season 1, Episode 1Andy falls into the abandoned pit and breaks both legs.
  2. “Hunting Trip”Season 2, Episode 10Stuck at the office together, Andy and April bond over silly games, and she gives him a neck full of hickeys.
  3. “Andy and April's Fancy Party”Season 3, Episode 9Andy and April surprise their guests by getting married.
  4. “Li'l Sebastian”Season 3, Episode 16Andy's tribute song for the beloved mini horse wins over the town.
  5. “The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show”Season 7, Episode 10Andy hosts the last episode of his kids' TV show.

Season and episode numbers follow the original broadcast order.

Famous sitcom couple

Andy Dwyer: frequently asked questions

Who plays Andy Dwyer?

Chris Pratt plays Andy. He was a guest star in season one and joined the main cast from season two through the 2015 finale.

Who is Burt Macklin?

Burt Macklin is Andy's imaginary FBI agent alter ego, whom he plays during role-play or when investigating small mysteries around Pawnee.

Who does Andy Dwyer marry?

Andy marries April Ludgate in "Andy and April's Fancy Party," the ninth episode of season three.

What is Andy's band called?

His band is best known as Mouse Rat, though it has gone through many other names over the years.

What is Johnny Karate?

Johnny Karate is Andy's character on a local kids' TV show he hosts in season seven. Its final broadcast is the episode "The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show."

Test yourself: Andy Dwyer quiz

5 questions about Andy Dwyer. Think of your answer, then open the reveal to check it.

  1. Question 1

    In the pilot, how did Andy Dwyer end up with two broken legs?

    1. He crashed his motorcycle
    2. He fell off the City Hall roof
    3. He fell into an abandoned construction pit
    4. He tripped during a Mouse Rat concert
    Show the answer

    Answer: C. He fell into an abandoned construction pit

    Andy's fall into the abandoned pit near Ann's house is what brings Ann to the town meeting in the "Pilot," where Leslie promises to turn the pit into a park.

    See question 2 in the full quiz

  2. Question 2

    What is the name of the rock band Andy fronts for most of the series?

    1. Snake Juice
    2. Mouse Rat
    3. Duke Silver Trio
    4. Freddy Spaghetti
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. Mouse Rat

    Andy's band burns through plenty of names, but Mouse Rat is the one that sticks. Chris Pratt really sings and plays guitar on the band's songs.

    See question 3 in the full quiz

  3. Question 3

    What kind of animal is Li'l Sebastian, Pawnee's most beloved celebrity?

    1. A penguin
    2. A possum
    3. A raccoon
    4. A miniature horse
    Show the answer

    Answer: D. A miniature horse

    Li'l Sebastian is a miniature horse, and when he dies in "Li'l Sebastian" the parks department throws him a memorial worthy of a head of state.

    See question 4 in the full quiz

  4. Question 4

    What is the name of the FBI agent Andy pretends to be?

    1. Burt Macklin
    2. Kip Hackman
    3. Johnny Karate
    4. Lester
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Burt Macklin

    Burt Macklin, FBI, is the alter ego Andy slips into for role play and for cracking local mysteries, though his security work during the season four campaign is far from airtight.

    See question 9 in the full quiz

  5. Question 5

    Andy and April's dinner party in "Andy and April's Fancy Party" turns out to be what?

    1. A surprise wedding
    2. A pregnancy announcement
    3. A going-away party
    4. A Mouse Rat reunion show
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. A surprise wedding

    The couple invites everyone to a fancy dinner that is secretly their wedding. Leslie tries to stop it, but Ron tells her to let them make their own choices.

    See question 20 in the full quiz

Take the full Parks and Recreation quiz (30 questions)

Sources and corrections

Reference pages used for this guide, including character, cast, and episode details.

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