Emmy Award nominee Amy Poehler stars as mid-level bureaucrat Leslie Knope on the new NBC comedy "Parks and Recreation." The new series is a half-hour mockumentary that looks at the exciting world of local government.

The year 2008 was a very busy year for Poehler. Between her seventh season of NBC’s "Saturday Night Live" (and her fourth as the co-anchor of "Weekend Update"), a trio of films and a new animated project for Nickelodeon, she was very active. Poehler received her first Emmy nomination in 2008 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on "Saturday Night Live." Due to a change in eligibility, this is an unprecedented nomination, making her the first performer in "SNL" history to land a spot in this category.

Poehler also will continue to produce, write and provide the voice of Bessie in the new Nickelodeon animated television series "The Mighty B."

Poehler could be seen starring opposite Tina Fey in Universal Pictures' hit comedy film "Baby Mama" and also lent her voice to the animated film "Horton Hears a Who!" with Jim Carrey and Steve Carell. Poehler had a starring role in the ice-skating comedy "Blades of Glory," alongside Will Ferrell, Will Arnett and Jon Heder, and she also provided the voice to the boxoffice smash hit "Shrek the Third" as Snow White. Her other feature credits include the hit comedy "Mean Girls," "Mr. Woodcock," "Southland Tales," "Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny," "The Ex," "Wet Hot American Summer" and "Envy."

Renowned as a "brilliantly inventive sketch comedian" (Entertainment Weekly, 11/05), Poehler boasts an impressive arsenal of outrageous characters -- from the hyperactive Caitlin and one-legged reality show contestant Amber to a manic host of "Good Morning Meth." Poehler has also contributed memorable impressions of Kelly Ripa, Avril Lavigne, Sharon Osbourne, Paula Abdul, Senator Hillary Clinton, Sharon Stone and Michael Jackson.

Poehler joined the "SNL" cast from the Upright Citizens Brigade, a sketch/improv troupe originally formed in Chicago. She and the U.C.B. relocated to New York where they had a sketch show on Comedy Central for three seasons on which she was both a writer and performer. In addition, they opened a theater currently regarded as the premier sketch/improv comedy venue in New York City. Poehler and the U.C.B. were featured in "A.S.S.S.S.C.A.T.: Improv" an improvised comedy special on Bravo.

Poehler has made memorable appearances on television ranging from NBC’s "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (as recurring character Stacey, Andy Richter's little sister), "Arrested Development," "Wonder Showzen" and "Undeclared." She also was a voice on "O'Grady" and "The Simpsons."

Poehler lives in New York City with her husband, Will Arnett, and their new son.

Great write-up about her and her character in the New York Times.

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Eric
Creator, Parks and Recreation fansite, Knope Knows

I can hardly wait for this one. Amy Poehler is one of those people that you don't have to hear to find her funny. Her presence just has you laughing from the second you look at her!

So true. Did you see her on The Tonight Show? Completely hilarious. Here's the link.

Thanx for that. The whole Boston accent thing was funny and her cartoon is hilarious. It's one of my daughter's favorites!

"...people caring loudly at me."

Agreed. I loved the accents. Jay's just wasn't up to par, but Poehler was so good at it.

Amy Poehler is hilarious!