Chris Pratt (Andy) was such a good physical comedian that frequently the writers would just write "Andy does something physical" into the script, trusting he would come up with something in the moment.
Andy was only supposed to appear as a guest in the first season but everybody liked Chris Pratt so much that he was promoted to series regular for season two.
Ron's second ex-wife (Tammy Two) was played by Megan Mullally who in real life is married to Nick Offerman (Ron).
Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson) has a woodworking hobby, as does his character on this show. Offerman has released an instructional DVD in canoe building, and runs a fine woodworking business on the side. He and co-star Amy Poehler have gone on to create a DIY show together: Making It (2018).
Ron Swanson's staunchly anti-government government official was based on a real city planner whom the show's producers interviewed when doing research. The planner was a Libertarian who admitted to them, "I don't believe in the mission of my job."