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The most memorable lines from her top films and television series.

Since bursting onto the national stage as a featured player on Saturday Night Live (SNL) over 20 years ago, Amy Poehler has won the hearts of millions. From Parks and Recreation’s uber-organized optimist Leslie Knope to her roles in dozens of movies, Poehler has left a legacy that any actor or comedian would envy. Let’s take a look at 32 of Amy Poehler’s funniest and most inspiring quotes from her movie and TV career.

"I'm not your typical mom; I'm a fun mom."

By any standard, Mean Girls is a comedy classic. As June George, mother of queen bee Regina George, Amy Poehler had only a few scenes, but she stole them all. In a movie that is endlessly quotable, Poehler contributed one of the movie’s best-known lines when she tried to explain her “parenting style” to Regina’s friends.

"We should keep in mind what truly matters in life: friends, waffles, and work. Whether it's friends, waffles, then work, or waffles, friends, and work, it doesn't really matter—just know that work comes last."

On Parks and Rec, Leslie Knope was often the hardest working employee in her department, if not in the entire Pawnee city government. She’s always willing to do whatever she can to make her community a better place. But in this quote, Leslie shows that she has her priorities in the right place – and that breakfast should always be a priority.

"When discussing torture, I have faith in the woman who was married to James Cameron for three years."

In 2013, Amy Poehler joined her good friend Tina Fey to host the Golden Globes for the first time. During their monologue, the hosts mentioned the controversy around “Zero Dark Thirty,” a movie directed by Kathryn Bigelow. While alluding to the film's depiction of military torture, Poehler offered the quotable quip above. Taking a shot at Bigelow’s ex instead of the director herself makes the joke even funnier.

"When someone is shouting at me, what I perceive is their loud expression of concern."

The residents of Pawnee, Indiana are quite a unique group, to say the least. While the public sometimes struggled to maintain decorum during Leslie's town hall meetings, the aforementioned quote sheds light on how Leslie managed to persevere with a cheerful demeanor.

"I have no insight into your experiences!"

After years of collaborating on SNL, buddies Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were finally able to make a movie together. In Baby Mama, Fey plays Kate, a high-strung executive who wants to become a mother, and Poehler plays Angie, a down-on-her-luck trailer park resident chosen to be Kate’s surrogate. The clash of their two worlds is comedy gold, but none so much as when Kate accuses Angie of storing chewed bubble gum under her expensive dining room table. Angie implies that Kate herself did the deed. When Kate protests, Angie offers this amazing comeback.

Like a lot of producer Michael Schur’s work before and since, Parks and Rec is not just a show about co-workers, it’s a show about people coming together to work for the common good. When they do, Leslie is their chief motivator. This quote is one of her most inspirational.

"Perhaps we could benefit from dialing down the Forever 21 vibe and embracing a bit more of the Suddenly 42 spirit..."

After the success of Baby Mama, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reunited for the 2015 comedy Sisters. This time, they play middle-aged siblings Kate (Fey) and Maura (Poehler). The sisters are determined to throw one last high-school-style party in their parents’ house before its sale. While shopping for clothes for the soiree with little luck, Maura makes this great observation.

"What is Galentine's Day, you ask? It's simply the most amazing day of the year!"

When questioned about her favorite day of the year, Leslie remarked, “Every February 13th, my girlfriends and I ditch our husbands and boyfriends for a morning of fun and food. It’s all about women honoring women.” The concept of Galentine’s Day gained traction beyond the fictional town of Pawnee, turning Leslie Knope into one of the rare fictional figures who inspired the establishment of an actual holiday.

(Image source: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

"They arrived... drawn in by the weight of Sadness..."

Inside Out looks at the inner emotional life of a girl named Riley. Amy Poehler plays Joy, the leader of the emotional pack that includes Disgust, Anger, Fear, and Sadness. Poehler obviously nails the comedy, but because it’s Pixar, there’s also an emotional weight to many scenes. Joy spends nearly the entire film insulting Sadness and diminishing her contributions. But then, Joy realizes that one of Riley’s happiest memories only came to be because Riley was upset about losing a game. Her family and friends arrived to cheer her up. Riley indeed experienced Joy, but it would not have happened without Sadness.

"What's the reason someone would choose to eat anything besides breakfast items?"

Here’s another classic moment featuring Leslie Knope. During a conversation with Ron Swanson at JJ’s Diner, Leslie shares one of the most significant insights ever expressed in Pawnee or beyond.

"And it must be genuine, for the tale was revealed by the sway of Shakira's hips."

“Weekend Update” is one of SNL’s longest-running and most beloved segments. Amy Poehler is one of its most notable anchors. Although Poehler left SNL in 2009, she came back to the desk in 2012. One of her stories noted that singer Shakira had reportedly been attacked by a sea lion. Poehler then deadpanned with the quote above, which includes a reference to Shakira’s hit song.

“Ann, you stunning _______”

Leslie Knope’s friendship with nurse Ann Perkins forms the emotional core of the first few seasons of Parks and Rec. Leslie showers Ann with compliments as any good friend should. Often, they start with “Ann, you beautiful….” and can end with anything Leslie dreams up, including “land mermaid,” “tropical fish,” “rule-breaking moth,” or “powerful musk ox.” We should all have a friend like Leslie Knope.

"Perhaps that's a part of growing older... We seem to experience joy less frequently."

Inside Out 2 tells the next chapter of Riley’s story. Because Riley is getting older, a new set of emotions – Anxiety, Embarrassment, Ennui, and Envy – join the gang. As Anxiety takes over, Joy (voiced by Poehler) and the other original emotions start to feel that they have less of a place in Riley’s life. This leads Joy to say the above quote - one of the saddest observations in the entire film. Fortunately, Joy and the gang get Anxiety under control and prove that there is a place for Joy at any age.

This quote is funny not just because of the irony. These words coming from the super-organized and Type A Leslie Knope would already be hilarious. But Amy Poehler delivers this line by literally screaming it at Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott). Yelling about how chill you are will never not be funny.

"Freedom of expression! Go ahead and check it out! It's right there in the document!"

In Baby Mama, Angie (Poehler) and Kate’s (Tina Fey) surrogacy agreement goes awry when they learn that Angie is indeed pregnant - but not with Kate’s child. In the courtroom scene that follows, the judge tells Angie to pipe down. Angie takes the opportunity to remind the attorneys in the room about the free speech rights granted to all Americans in “the thing” (a/k/a the U.S. Constitution).

“Hey, Leslie. It’s me, Leslie. I care about you. Stay strong.”

Leslie Knope maintains lofty expectations for both herself and her team. However, she never resorts to anger or rudeness. Instead, she motivates them through soft encouragement and by embodying her own values. Leslie extends this same kindness to herself, even when recording a voice memo.

"Absolutely, I'm living in my own fantasy!"

In Inside Out 2, Anger complains to the other emotions – Disgust, Fear, and Sadness – that Joy is being delusional. After admitting that she absolutely is, Joy says, “Do you know how hard it is to stay positive all the time? When all you folks do is complain, complain, complain?!” Poehler’s performance is top-notch, and the quote is a good reminder that even the most positive among us have a breaking point.

"Every girl imagines achieving victory. However, triumph is my fate."

Leslie Knope stands out as one of television's most hopeful characters. A key aspect of optimism is self-belief, and Leslie exemplifies this by demonstrating that her winning attitude stems from her unwavering confidence in herself.

"I wasn't a fan of Gone Girl. When I head to the cinema, I'm looking for an escape. I didn't want to see my own reflection on that screen."

Most awards show hosts poke fun at the industry or the nominees. But at the 2015 Golden Globes, Amy Poehler invited the attendees to laugh at her as she humorously compared her life to Gone Girl, a movie where (spoiler alert) a woman stages her own kidnapping, blackmails several people, and even commits murder. (Of course, Poehler can make that joke as in real life, she is rumored to be a gracious and friendly person.)

Leslie Knope is undoubtedly a champion for the women and girls of Pawnee, celebrating strong women and maintaining a steadfast commitment to feminist ideals. It's no wonder she advocates for increased representation of women in leadership positions.

"In Wasilla we relax, baby relax... but when I spot oil, it's drill baby drill!"

In 2008, Amy Poehler’s friend Tina Fey returned to SNL with an uncanny and hilarious impersonation of Senator John McCain’s running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Palin took the jokes in stride, and even joined the Saturday Night Live crew for a guest appearance. But here’s the twist: During “Weekend Update,” Poehler, not Fey, embodied Palin. While Palin looked on and “raised the roof,” a very pregnant Poehler energetically rapped verses that she claimed were penned by Palin, including the above shout-out to Palin’s hometown. It was an epic moment in SNL history.

"I can confidently say that I frequently find inspiration within myself."

Every individual possesses a distinct talent or quality that serves as a source of motivation for others. However, the hectic pace of life, coupled with our tendency to dwell on shortcomings rather than achievements, often obscures this truth. This quote from Leslie Knope encourages us to recognize and embrace our highest potential.

"I'm not trailing behind you. This is a simultaneous storm out!"

In 2019, Amy Poehler made her directorial debut in the hilarious Netflix comedy Wine Country. In addition to helming the project, Poehler also took a prominent role in front of the screen. The movie follows a group of friends (played by SNL alums including Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, and Tina Fey) who visit Napa Valley to celebrate their friend’s 50th birthday. As the weekend goes on, old and new resentments test the bonds of friendship. After a big argument, Naomi (Maya Rudolph) runs away from her friends. Shortly thereafter, Abby (Poehler) also leaves the gathering. But she uses the quote above to make sure Naomi knows she has her own reasons for leaving.

"I am a divine being."

One of the best storylines in Parks and Rec happens when Leslie Knope realizes that the Pawnee Rangers (led by Nick Offerman’s Ron Swanson) don’t allow girls to join. This inspires Leslie to create a rival group, the Pawnee Goddesses. Leslie’s creed for the group states, “I am a goddess, a glorious female warrior. Queen of all that I survey. Enemies of fairness and equality, hear my womanly roar. Yeah!” Of course, the Pawnee Goddesses become so popular that eventually all of the children in Pawnee - both male and female - want to join in the fun.

"These facts and viewpoints seem remarkably alike!"

In Inside Out, Joy has an opportunity to go deep into Riley’s mind. This quote summarizes one of her keen observations about the pre-teen thought process.

"I possess the most precious currency in America: an unwavering, stubborn conviction that I am completely correct."

Leslie Knope is certainly an inspiring figure, though she isn't without her flaws. Her extensive preparation and knowledge on various topics can occasionally lead her to neglect the insights that others may offer. Nonetheless, this quote reflects Leslie's recognition of her own shortcomings, which is a step towards growth.

"I can binge-watch TV for five hours without a break, yet I hesitate to start a movie simply because it lasts two hours."

During the 2021 Golden Globes, where she co-hosted alongside her friend Tina Fey, Poehler showcased her exceptional comedic talent. However, rather than teasing the nominees or highlighting the eccentricities of Hollywood, Poehler chose to touch on a relatable topic: our tendency to skip a lengthy movie but binge-watch several hour-long episodes of a gripping series. Perhaps this is why Netflix frequently checks in to see if we’re still watching.

“If we dedicate ourselves fully, forgo rest, and set aside all other commitments, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.”

The early days of Parks and Rec showed us that Leslie Knope was a hard worker who was willing to go the extra mile to get the job done. This quote summarizes Leslie’s early view of work and life. Thankfully, as she builds stronger connections with her team and finds love with Ben (Adam Scott), she begins to prioritize friends and family.

"We didn't embrace intersectionality as we should have... We referred to our gatherings as pow wows!"

Amy Poehler’s second directorial turn, the Netflix film Moxie, looks at a group of young girls who use an underground magazine to combat the sexist culture at their high school. In addition to directing, Poehler also portrays Lisa, the mother of the main character. By sharing her lament with her daughter, she encourages her not to follow in her mother’s footsteps but to make a newer, better path.

"I remain firm in my choice to steer clear of salad and other unappetizing options."

As a dedicated member of Pawnee’s Parks and Recreation Department, and subsequently a representative on the Pawnee City Council, Leslie Knope is tasked with assisting all individuals and enterprises within the community, including Sue’s Salads and the vegetable sellers at the local farmers' market. However, her personal feelings about these obligations aren't always positive. This quote illustrates that Leslie's support for these businesses is driven purely by her professional duties.

"Cake is a light and airy treat that people enjoy celebrating their birthdays with."

At the 2015 Golden Globes, Jennifer Aniston was nominated for her work in the film Cake. Poehler used the above quote to explain the concept of “cake” to the health-conscious Hollywood crowd. Afterward, Poehler’s co-host Tina Fey poked at another sore spot by adding, “And birthdays are a thing that people celebrate when they admit that they have aged.”

“Gather your team and start collaborating.”

This Leslie Knope quote summarizes the ethos of her character and Parks and Rec. No one can do anything worthwhile alone. We all need help. We might not be able to move a mountain alone, but if we put together the right team, we just might succeed.

32 Hilarious and Memorable Amy Poehler Quotes from Films and Television