- Werner Herzog made a cameo in a 2015 episode of “Parks and Recreation” as a man selling his house.
- He told Business Insider his funniest line was improvised.
- “People peed their pants,” Herzog said.
Werner Herzog isn’t just an acclaimed filmmaker and author — he also has a knack for popping up in your favorite TV shows.
He’s lent his iconic voice to several characters on “The Simpsons,” and he memorably appeared in the flesh on season one of “The Mandalorian” as “The Client,” who hires Mando to track down the very adorable Baby Yoda.
But Herzog himself is very fond of his 2015 cameo on “Parks and Recreation” because the creators were receptive to his spontaneous input.
The filmmaker appears in the season seven premiere episode titled “2017.” In it, April (Aubrey Plaza) and Andy (Chris Pratt) go house hunting and come across the eccentric home of Keg Jeggings (Herzog), who tells them the house features three bomb shelters, a fireman’s pole, and a staircase to nowhere. Jeggings explains that the home was originally a holding cell for people who had gone insane from working at the Pawnee Doll Head Factory. Oh, and Jeggings says it’s haunted.
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April and Andy don’t need any more convincing. They decide to buy the house on the spot, then make out on top of a table in front of Jeggings to celebrate.
Herzog recalled the best part of filming the show, which he admitted he’s never seen. “When we were done shooting, I said to the team, ‘I would like to add something to the text. Can I speak right into the camera?'” Herzog recalled to Business Insider.
“And I said straight to the audience: ‘I’ve lived in this home for 47 years, but I’m selling it now because I want to move to Orlando, Florida, to be close to Disney World.'”
Herzog said his ad lib was a major hit.
“People peed their pants.”
Werner Herzog’s latest documentary, “Ghost Elephants,” is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
