In a surprising revelation, Chris Pratt recently shared that he took a stand against the “mean” jokes made about his Parks and Recreation co-star, Jim O’Heir, during the early days of filming the hit NBC comedy series. Known for his role as the charming Andy Dwyer, Pratt admitted that while he was part of the ensemble cast, he wasn’t always comfortable with the humor that sometimes targeted O’Heir, who portrayed the lovable but often overlooked Jerry Gergich.
Pratt, who has since become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, opened up during a candid interview, expressing how the jokes, which often poked fun at O’Heir’s character’s clumsiness and personal life, crossed a line. “It wasn’t funny, and I didn’t think it was right,” Pratt explained. “Jim is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet, and I just didn’t want to be part of that dynamic.”
The jokes on Parks and Rec often painted Jerry as the butt of office humor, with his colleagues constantly mocking his weight, his family, and even his job performance. While the jokes were intended for comedic effect, Pratt felt they were unnecessary and could be hurtful to O’Heir, who, despite being a mainstay on the show, often found himself at the center of this lighthearted yet harsh humor.
“I’m glad we could all grow as people,” Pratt added, acknowledging how much he and his castmates have changed since the show’s early days. While the jokes were eventually toned down, Pratt’s decision to speak out against them marked a turning point in how the cast treated one another behind the scenes.
Since the show ended in 2015, Pratt has gone on to star in major blockbuster films like Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World, and The Tomorrow War. However, his time on Parks and Recreation remains close to his heart, and he is often seen reminiscing about the special bond he shares with his former co-stars, including O’Heir, with whom he has remained friends.
Jim O’Heir, for his part, has always taken the jokes in stride, often using his role as a source of humor in interviews. “I knew it was all in good fun,” O’Heir has said in the past, “but it’s nice to hear that Chris had my back.”
Pratt’s candidness about standing up for his co-star sheds light on a more serious side of the actor, known for his goofy charm and larger-than-life personality. Fans of Parks and Recreation can now look back on the series with a greater appreciation for the bond between the cast members, who, despite their on-screen antics, always had each other’s backs when it counted.