In a delightfully awkward wardrobe mishap on the set of "Parks and Recreation," actor Jim O'Heir found himself wearing co-star Nick Offerman's noticeably tight outfit rather than speaking up about the mix-up, as revealed in his new book "Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles, and Parks and Recreation."
O'Heir, who played the lovably hapless Jerry Gergich on the NBC sitcom, discovered a red polo shirt and khakis in his dressing room during a wardrobe test. Despite the shirt being "comically small," O'Heir's desire to avoid being labeled a "troublemaker" led him to wear the ill-fitting ensemble without complaint.
The truth came to light when costume designer Kirston Leigh Mann inquired about the fit. O'Heir admitted it was "a little tight," only to learn he had been wearing Offerman's outfit due to a wardrobe mix-up. By then, he had already filmed a scene in the too-small clothing, which made it into the final cut of the season 2 episode "The Camel."
The incident highlights O'Heir's candid discussion about navigating wardrobe fittings as a larger-bodied actor in Hollywood. In his book, he shares his ongoing anxiety about these fittings, comparing the experience to the awkwardness of middle school dances.
Unlike series leads Amy Poehler and Rashida Jones, who could confidently decline outfits, O'Heir's position as a recurring character often led him to accept whatever was presented. Despite these challenges, O'Heir maintains fond memories of his seven seasons on the show, particularly appreciating how cast members like Poehler and Chris Pratt regularly checked on his well-being.
The wardrobe mishap has become a memorable behind-the-scenes story, showcasing both O'Heir's good-natured personality and the realities of being a character actor in television.
Note: Link 3 about Jenna Fischer was omitted as it was not directly related to the Parks and Recreation article content.