Is Nick Offerman narrating the oscars? All about the “Voice of God” at the 97th Academy awards

Actor and comedian Nick Offerman, whom many fans identify as Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation, performed the role of the show announcer, often referred to as the "Voice of God," at the 97th Academy Awards in 2025.

The Voice of God warmly guides the audience through the evening. This marked Offerman's first time in this role after David Alan Grier announced the 2024 Oscars.

Offerman’s voice could be heard throughout the ceremony as he introduced presenters, announced nominees and gave details about winners.

According to Screen Rant, The role itself was inaugurated at the 25th Academy Awards in 1953 when former actor and future U.S. president Ronald Reagan became the first to assume the responsibility.

Longtime voiceover veterans like Randy Thomas have filled this role over the years, with Thomas becoming the first woman to achieve this when she earned the title in 1993.

Nick Offerman put a unique spin on the role. His voice provided the required gravitas to the evening but also made space for lighthearted moments (Lad Bible). One memorable moment was when he jokingly mispronounced his Parks and Recreation co-star Amy Poehler’s name, calling her “Amy...Poe-ell-er?” before welcoming her as a presenter.

He also shared a tongue-in-cheek conversation with host Conan O’Brien about the pressure he must have felt while preparing to host the prestigious event.

A look into Nick Offerman’s early career and legacy in the entertainment industry

Nick Offerman is best known for his role as Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation, for which he won the Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy.

A native of Joliet, Illinois, Offerman received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in 1993. According to the Television Academy, he co-founded the Defiant Theatre in Chicago that same year, where he collaborated with major theater companies, including Steppenwolf, Goodman, and Wisdom Bridge.

He later transitioned to television, appearing in guest roles on Will & Grace, The King of Queens, 24, and The West Wing. He also had a recurring role as Randy McGee on George Lopez.

Nick Offerman’s portrayal of Ron Swanson, a government employee with libertarian ideals, became a favorite among fans. Since then, Offerman has voiced the title character for Axe Cop, and starred in movies like The Kings of Summer, Sin City and The Men Who Stare at Goats.