Nick Offerman has revisited Ben Shapiro’s criticism of his acclaimed The Last of Us role. However, the Parks and Recreation alum had little interest in treating the conservative commentator’s masculinity critique seriously.
Nick Offerman fires back at Ben Shapiro over his criticism of ‘The Last of Us’ role
Offerman addressed Ben Shapiro during his Sept. 6 appearance on Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso. The host played Offerman an old clip of Shapiro discussing “Long, Long Time,” the third episode of The Last of Us Season 1.
Shapiro criticized the episode’s focus on Bill and Frank’s relationship. He also repeatedly compared Offerman’s Bill to a gay version of Ron Swanson. Offerman initially laughed at the clip before offering a sharper response.
“I’m embarrassed for his reading comprehension,” Offerman said. He added that Shapiro got several details wrong “besides his rampant homophobia.” Still, the actor seemed more amused than angered by Shapiro questioning Nick Offerman’s masculinity.
Offerman recalled turning the criticism into material for a song he performed on tour. He said he once planned to write a joke about the situation. However, “Ben Shapiro questioned my masculinity, and I can’t write a better joke than that,” Offerman recalled.
The actor became closely associated with traditional masculinity through Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation. Yet Offerman has repeatedly pushed back against viewers who confuse him with the character.
In fact, he previously called out a fan for using Ron Swanson in an anti-Pride post. Offerman told Fragoso he likes being someone who can split wood or change a tire. At the same time, he can portray Bill’s emotional love story in The Last of Us.
The role ultimately earned him an Emmy for outstanding guest actor in a drama series. More recently, Offerman earned two additional Emmy nominations, including one for Margo’s Got Money Troubles.
For now, Offerman appears uninterested in trading endless online insults with Shapiro or any other MAGA commentator. Instead, he said he knows what critics say and then chooses to “keep making my stuff.”
