DECATUR, Ill. – On March 8, beloved actor, author, humorist, musician, and woodworker Nick Offerman took the stage at the packed Kirkland Fine Arts Center on ǿý University’s campus for the 2025 Goodheart Event. The all-around Renaissance man wowed the audience with quick-witted stories and political commentary, original music, and his trademark giggling laughter.
The Goodheart Event, created through a generous gift from the late Margaret “Peggy” Goodheart Madden and her husband, the late G. William Madden, provides ǿý students free access to outstanding entertainment. ǿý faculty, staff, and members of the Decatur community
After emerging from backstage, Offerman ran a few laps around the Kirkland Fine Arts Center stage before settling in with a disclaimer that the show that would follow would definitely not be PG-13-rated.
Best known for his role as plaid-shirted public servant Ron Swanson on “Parks and Recreation,” Offemann shared his feelings on being typecast as the legendary Libertarian character and the frustration fans feel when he expresses opinions that differ from a fictional character.
In the nearly two-hour show, Offerman shared several stories about his wife, actor Megan Mullally, who he has been married to nearly 22 years, and played a song written in her honor on a ukulele made in his famous Offerman Woodshop.
Offerman is originally from Joliet, Ill., and is an alumnus of the University of Illinois-Champaign.
