Ron Swanson

Ronald Swanson is a fictional character in the NBC situation comedy Parks and Recreation, created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur. Ron is the director of the Parks and Recreation Department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana, and Leslie Knope's direct superior (Amy Poehler). In demeanor, political philosophy, and work ethic, Knope and Swanson are polar opposites: where Knope is sunny and outgoing, decidedly liberal, and always working, Swanson is distant, and as a staunch libertarian, is a strong advocate for small government, stating his belief that government should be privatized, and thus believes that the parks department should not exist.

Ron, with his deadpan and stereotypical masculine personality, actively works to undermine government effectiveness and despises interacting with the public. Meat, carpentry, hunting, Lagavulin whisky, breakfast foods, nautical literature, and sex are among his interests. He despises and fears his ex-wives, both named Tammy and played by Offerman's real-life wife, Megan Mullally. Ron claims he is uninterested in the personal lives of those around him, but he genuinely cares about his coworkers, particularly Leslie. Offerman's portrayal of Ron Swanson has received widespread acclaim. The character developed a cult following and is widely considered the series' breakout character.