Jim O’Heir has written the ultimate “Parks and Recreation” behind-the-scenes book — and he’s in Boston this week.

Jim O’Heir has almost 200 acting credits to his name, appearing on dozens of iconic TV shows like ER, Friends, and Better Call Saul. But as he reveals in this episode of The Last Laugh podcast, he almost turned down the role of Jerry Gergich on Parks and Recreation because his agents worried it was too small.

Parks and Recreation” actor Jim O’Heir speaks with NBC News about his new book “Pawnee,” which gives a behind-the-scenes look at the hit comedy television show that first aired in 2009. O’Heir talks about interviewing the show’s actors and writers and how he feels about his character “Jerry.

Book by the actor best known as sitcom's hapless Jerry recalls the camaraderie with his castmates and the day he feared he was being fired.

In the second season of Parks and Recreation , Jim O'Heir found the "rhythm" that saw Jerry Gergich's "recurring character" status bumped up to "series regular," securing his future on the show for the several seasons that were still to come.

The actor was hired knowing his character could be cut, but one moment on set sealed his fate for the rest of the series.