10 Breakout TV Characters Who Went From Bit Parts To Series Regulars
8. Andy Dwyer (Parks And Recreation)
Chris Pratt's Andy Dwyer is one of the most iconic characters on Parks and Recreation. Originally signed on as a guest star for a six-episode arc in the comedy’s premiere season, the pit-falling couch loafer was so well received, Pratt returned for the entire series.
It's cool that he stuck around, as he was the character that kick-started the comedy series by experiencing a terrible pitfall. Like, seriously, he literally fell into a pit and that's how the show begins. His girlfriend, Ann Perkins, demanded the pit be filled by the city's Parks and Recreation Department, where she meets future best friend and deputy director Leslie Knope. The rest, as they say, is history.
As Ann Perkins’ ex-boyfriend turned April Ludgate’s husband, Pratt’s delivery of the ditzy, yet lovable slacker immediately impressed the producers, who slotted the shoe-shiner as a series regular for Parks and Recreation's seven-season run.
Parks and Rec is hugely responsible for Christ Pratt becoming a household name, and who knows, if he only lasted six episodes he might not have ended up starring in the most successful movie franchise of all time.