Who plays Ann Perkins in "Parks and Recreation"?

Rashida Jones plays Ann Perkins in "Parks and Recreation." Ann is a nurse from Pawnee who becomes Leslie Knope's closest friend after asking the city to fill in a dangerous abandoned construction pit.

The character serves as an important emotional counterbalance to Leslie's relentless optimism and civic enthusiasm. Ann's relationship with Andy Dwyer begins the series, but she ends it after discovering that Andy exaggerated the seriousness of his leg injury so she would continue caring for him. She later dates city planner Mark Brendanawicz and city manager Chris Traeger.

Ann eventually takes a part-time role with Pawnee's public health department. Her friendship with Leslie remains central to the series, including the annual Galentine's Day tradition. In the sixth season, Ann and Chris reunite, have a son named Oliver, and move to Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Rashida Jones left the regular cast during the sixth season, but Ann's friendship with Leslie remains one of the show's defining relationships.