Alongside Danica McKellar, a bespectacled Pratt starred as a scientist intent on stopping a nanotechnology disaster in the aptly-titled “Path of Destruction” (Syfy, 2005), but fared better as the blond Brason in the big-screen version of the Comedy Central series, “Strangers with Candy” (2005), whom the grotesque Jerri Blank (Amy Sedaris) tried to seduce. After “Everwood” ended, Pratt’s next series television venture came with the last season of the teen drama “The O.C.” (FOX, 2003-07). As the would-be protestor Winchester “Che” Cook, he had odd flirtations with both Summer (Rachel Bilson) and Seth (Adam Brody), the show’s supercouple. Pratt made a strong comic impression in the massive Angelina Jolie action hit “Wanted” (2008) as James McAvoy’s undermining best friend, and offered pleasant support as the underwritten fiancé of Anne Hathaway in the critically maligned but box office hit “Bride Wars” (2009).
The handsome-yet-rough-around-the-edges Pratt wrung a few laughs out of his brief appearance in Diablo Cody’s comic-tinged horror movie “Jennifer’s Body” (2009) as Megan Fox’s small-town ex-boyfriend, but his engagement and marriage to movie star Anna Faris – in a July 9 ceremony in Bali – made more of an impression on the American public. Professionally, he broke through to his widest audience yet when he earned the role of Andy Dwyer on the Amy P hler sitcom, “Parks and Recreation” (NBC, 2009- ).
As the lovesick, bumbling ex-boyfriend of Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones), Pratt was originally intended only to be a guest star for six episodes, but his sweet, goofy performance won over critics, fans and the staff of the show, and he was promoted to a series regular. Over the course of the series, the childlike Andy provided an increasing number of the show’s funniest – and most touching – moments. His budding relationship with deadpan college student April (Aubrey Plaza) surprised with its poignancy and fans rooted for the unlikely twosome to make things work. In fact, the puppyish Pratt charmed so completely that he quickly became indispensable to the show, with the actor finding himself more in demand than he had ever been before.