Ben Schwartz, best known for his role as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on the hit comedy series 'Parks and Recreation', recently opened up to Entertainment Weekly about his unexpected viral fame. The actor shared his surprise at the widespread popularity of a line he improvised with co-star Jenny Slate during the show's final season.
The scene in question, from the episode "One Last Ride, Part 1," features Jean-Ralphio and his sister Mona-Lisa (played by Slate) sneaking away from a fake funeral. As they attempt to escape unnoticed, they repeatedly tell each other, "don't be suspicious," which quickly evolves into a catchy, improvised song and dance routine.
Schwartz expressed amazement at the longevity and reach of this brief moment, saying, "It was the biggest thing that has blown up in the biggest way." He admitted he was initially unaware of the clip's popularity until a friend explained how it had become a widely used audio sample on TikTok.
The actor recounted his reaction to learning about the trend: "I was like, 'Oh! That's so cool. If I were a kid, if I were a comedian at the beginning, that'd be so fun. You could collaborate with people.'" He was then shocked to discover that he was already part of this viral phenomenon.
The "don't be suspicious" audio has since been used in countless TikTok videos, accompanying everything from pets attempting to steal food to people engaging in various shenanigans. Schwartz noted that many users of the sound might not even realize its origin, stating, "I don't think people even know that it's me doing the noise. They just think the sound is funny."
This unexpected resurgence of Jean-Ralphio's popularity has led to fans playfully using GIFs of the character in their interactions with Schwartz. He shared, "People, as a bit, sometimes will take GIFs of me and send them to me as a response to myself."
As Schwartz continues to make waves in the entertainment industry, with upcoming roles in 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' and 'Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice,' it's clear that his improvised 'Parks and Recreation' moment has left an indelible mark on pop culture. The viral success of "don't be suspicious" serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of Jean-Ralphio and the comedic chemistry between Schwartz and Slate.