Nicholas Offerman, most known as Nick Offerman, is a comedian and actor. He became a star portraying Ron Swanson in the hit sitcom Parks and Recreation. He was born and raised in Joliet, Illinois with his brother and two sisters. He is married to actress Megan Mullally.
Despite his success in television, Nick Offerman is first and foremost a passionate woodworker. He’s been doing woodworking since he was a young boy—way before he became an actor.
How Did He Learn Though?
Nick and his siblings were taught by their parents about being resourceful. They were taught that there are other ways of having stuff instead of buying—that you can have something by building it.
Their family is involved in carpentry. Repairing barns and farmhouses are what their father does in his spare time.
Nick, being the eldest son, was the first to learn the trade. He was taught how to swing a hammer by his father. He was taught and guided by his dad, grandfathers, and uncles Dan and Don of Roberts Brothers Farms.
Nick continued to learn as he helped his Dad do carpentry around their house. He didn’t stop trying until he got the job done right. Also, his uncles taught him how to handle other tools that were unfamiliar to him.
Aside from that, Nick learned woodworking by reading books, periodicals, and popular woodworking magazines. Likewise, he taught himself some woodworking skills by viewing videos on the web.
When he was 17 years old, he entered at the University of Illinois Theater Class. He used his skills to begin working in the scene shop. When he was at the university, he was guided and mentored by Kenny Egan.
After almost 10 years, he moved to Chicago. He continued to do woodwork. The income was meager so he did building scenery and props for large equity theaters.
He eventually moved to Los Angeles and opened his own modest shop in a warehouse. By that time, he was already collecting tools and learning some new techniques in woodworking. He also familiarized himself with new tools such as milling machines.
There wasn’t much scenery work in LA, so he turned to building decks and cabins. This time he was joined by his longtime friend Martin McClendon. Martin was also a University of Illinois alumnus.
The two expanded their horizon by doing old-world furniture joinery. Nick, with the help of Martin, eventually opened his shop. And that shop is where he continues to build furniture, small boats, and other wood projects.
Some Help Along the Way
Nick Offerman learned woodworking from a number of mentors, including his friends and family. Nick also taught himself by watching and observing. Experience likewise made his skillset broader.
Nick now has several woodworkers in his shop, including his brother Matt. In fact, Nick loves woodworking so much, that he made a book about it. The book is about his life being a woodworker. It also talks about how he managed to teach himself some of the most interesting woodworking skills.
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