Billy Eichner Reveals the Unexpected Way He Joined Parks and Rec: "I Was Shocked"
The actor and comedian joined the beloved NBC show in Season 6 — and he didn't even have to audition.
Key Takeaways
- Billy Eichner joined Parks and Recreation after Mike Schur directly invited him via a DM on Twitter.
- Eichner’s character Craig Middlebrooks became a standout thanks to his intense, Read More
- Billy Eichner joined Parks and Recreation after Mike Schur directly invited him via a DM on Twitter.
- Eichner’s character Craig Middlebrooks became a standout thanks to his intense, comedic delivery and memorable lines across 17 episodes.
- Parks and Recreation’s full seven seasons, including Eichner’s appearances, are available to stream on Peacock.
The story of how Billy Eichner joined the cast of the iconic NBC comedy Parks and Recreation is almost too simple to be true.
Sometimes, a memorable role literally drops into your lap. In a May 2026 interview with Boston.com, the 47-year-old actor and comedian revealed how he became part of Parks and Rec's legendary cast as Craig Middlebrooks beginning in Season 6. As it turns out, Eichner didn't even have to audition for the role — the part came to him!
"This was back when people were on Twitter a lot," he prefaced before diving into the story. "Mike Schur, the show's creator, literally DMed me on Twitter out of the blue: 'Hey, we're all big Billy fans and I think we might have a part for you.' He said it was for two episodes. I guess they liked the character; they ended up keeping me around."
Eichner was referring to his Billy on the Street game show series, which ran for five seasons from 2011-2017 and involved Eichner interviewing random people on the street, often asking the most random questions.
"I had absolutely no idea that was going to happen. I was shocked to get the invite," he confessed. "And a lot of Parks and Rec people were on Billy at one point — Chris Pratt, Aziz [Ansari], Nick Offerman, Amy [Poehler], Rashida [Jones]."
A lot of Parks and Rec stars, indeed. Well, except for one. "Never got Aubrey," Eichner revealed. "So if I ever bring the show back, I need Aubrey Plaza."
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Eichner's Craig Middlebrooks quickly became a fan-favorite, fitting in effortlessly with the rest of the characters despite joining the fun fairly late in the show's run.
Of course, Eichner's over-the-top and sometimes-unhinged delivery helped the character stand out in a crowded field.
How Billy Eichner made his debut in Pawnee as Craig Middlebrooks on Parks and Recreation
Eichner made his first appearance as Craig Middlebrooks in the Season 6 episode "Doppelgängers," ultimately appearing in 17 episodes total through Season 7. As arguably Pawnee's quirkiest — and loudest — government worker, Craig's outspoken opinions, refusal to hide his emotions, and penchant for always sounding angry when he's being kind led to some infinitely memorable moments.
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Does it get any more timeless than these Craig lines that we still find ourselves quoting today?
"I have a medical condition, alright. It's called caring too much! And it's incurable!" — Season 6, "Recall Vote"
"From now on, everyone call me Kristin because I am Wiig-ing out right now!" — Season 6, "Moving Up: Part 1"
"Oh no, that is insane. I will burn this place to the ground if you pick that one! ...Okay, good choice." — Season 6, "Flouride"
Check out NBC's official "Best of Craig Middlebrooks" video here.
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How to watch every episode of Parks and Recreation
Good news: It's easier than ever to jump back into the world of Pawnee city government — or experience the groundbreaking single-camera comedy for the first time. All seven seasons of Parks and Recreation are available to stream on Peacock right now.
