32 Hilarious Amy Poehler Quotes That Will Make You LOL!

Over the past two decades since making a splash on Saturday Night Live (SNL), Amy Poehler has captured the affection of countless fans. From playing the meticulously organized optimist Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation to numerous film roles, Poehler’s career has established a legacy that would make any actor or comedian envious. In this article, we’ll explore 32 of Amy Poehler’s wittiest and most motivational quotes from her movie and TV experiences.

“I’m not like a regular mom, I’m a cool mom.”

Without a doubt, Mean Girls stands as a timeless comedy masterpiece. Even though Amy Poehler only appeared in a handful of scenes as June George, the mother of popular queen bee Regina George, she made each one memorable. In this film filled with unforgettable lines, Poehler’s contribution includes one of its most famous quotes when she attempted to clarify her “parenting approach” to Regina’s friends.

“We need to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn’t matter, but work is third.”

In the TV show “Parks and Recreation”, Leslie Knope was frequently one of the most dedicated employees within her department, and arguably across all of Pawnee city government. She’s always ready to lend a hand to improve her community. Yet, this quote reveals that Leslie understands what truly matters – giving due importance to breakfast, as it deserves top priority.

“When it comes to torture, I trust the woman who spent three years married to James Cameron.”

In 2013, Amy Poehler teamed up with her friend Tina Fey to host the Golden Globes for the first time. During their opening speech, they joked about the debate surrounding “Zero Dark Thirty,” a film directed by Kathryn Bigelow. Mimicking the movie’s portrayal of military interrogation techniques, Poehler delivered a memorable line that poked fun at Bigelow’s former partner rather than the director herself, adding an extra layer of humor to the joke.

“What I hear when I’m being yelled at is people caring loudly at me.”

The people of Pawnee, Indiana are quite unique, without a doubt. At times, their conduct during Leslie’s town hall gatherings could be less than ideal, yet the statement given offers insight into why Leslie persevered, even managing to keep a smile on her face throughout.

“I don’t know your life!”

Following many years of working together on Saturday Night Live, friends Tina Fey and Amy Poehler finally managed to star in a movie together. In Baby Mama, Fey portrays Kate, a rigid executive yearning to be a mother, while Poehler takes on the role of Angie, a struggling resident of a trailer park who is selected as Kate’s surrogate. The collision of their contrasting worlds creates hilarious moments, but none are more amusing than when Kate accuses Angie of hiding chewed gum under her costly dining table. Angie retaliates by suggesting that Kate was the one who did it. When Kate denies the accusation, Angie fires back with an outstanding comeback.

“Sometimes you have to make the hardest climb to see the most beautiful sunrise.”

Similar to many productions by Michael Schur prior and subsequent, Parks and Recreation transcends being merely a show about office colleagues; it portrays individuals uniting for the greater community’s benefit. Leslie Knope often serves as the driving force behind this unity, and her words of inspiration, as exemplified in this quote, are particularly impactful.

“Maybe we need a little less Forever 21 and a little more Suddenly 42…”

Following the triumph of “Baby Mama”, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler joined forces once more in the 2015 comedy “Sisters”. This time around, they portrayed middle-aged sisters Kate (Fey) and Maura (Poehler). Eager to host one last wild party reminiscent of high school in their parents’ home before its sale, the siblings embark on a shopping spree for the event. Struggling to find suitable outfits, Maura makes an insightful comment during their search.

“What’s Galentine’s Day? It’s only the best day of the year!”

Leslie was asked about her favorite day of the year, and she replied, “On February 13th every year, my female friends and I ditch our husbands and boyfriends at home to spend the day together in a breakfast party-like fashion. It’s all about celebrating women with women.” The concept of Galentine’s Day, as Leslie described it in the fictional town of Pawnee, has gained popularity in reality, making Leslie Knope one of the rare fictional characters responsible for creating a genuine holiday.

“They came…because of Sadness…”

The film “Inside Out” delves into the inner emotional world of a girl named Riley. Characters like Joy (played by Amy Poehler), Disgust, Anger, Fear, and Sadness make up her emotional team. While Poehler is hilarious, there’s a profound emotional depth to many scenes thanks to Pixar. Throughout the movie, Joy frequently criticizes and undervalues Sadness, but then she comes to understand that one of Riley’s most joyful memories was born from her sadness over losing a game. Her family and friends came to cheer her up, ultimately creating a happy memory for Riley. However, this moment of joy would not have been possible without the influence of Sadness.

“Why would anyone eat anything other than breakfast food?”

In a conversation at JJ’s Diner between Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson, Leslie delivers an insightful remark that is not only significant within Pawnee but also universally applicable.

“And the story has to be true, because the story was reported by Shakira’s hips.”

“Weekend Update” is one of Saturday Night Live’s longest-standing and dearly cherished segments. Amy Poehler is among its most memorable anchors. Despite leaving SNL in 2009, she returned to the anchor desk in 2012. One of her stories mentioned that singer Shakira was supposedly attacked by a sea lion. In response, Poehler made a dry remark referencing Shakira’s popular song.

“Ann, you beautiful _______”

In the early seasons of “Parks and Rec,” Leslie Knope’s friendship with Ann Perkins serves as the emotional heart of the show. Much like any genuine friend, Leslie expresses her affection towards Ann in heartfelt ways. Her compliments to Ann often begin with “Ann, you’re so beautiful…” followed by a unique and charming description such as “land mermaid,” “tropical fish,” “rule-breaking moth,” or “powerful musk ox.” Having a friend like Leslie Knope is something we all aspire to have.

“Maybe that’s what happens as we get older…We feel less joy.”

Inside Out 2 – The Next Phase of Riley’s Journey

As Riley enters a new stage of life, a fresh batch of emotions – Anxiety, Embarrassment, Ennui, and Envy – join the existing crew. However, when Anxiety takes charge, Joy (voiced by Poehler) and the original emotions begin to feel like they’re losing relevance in Riley’s life. This prompts Joy to utter one of the film’s most poignant lines. Thankfully, Joy and her friends manage to tame Anxiety, ultimately demonstrating that Joy’s role remains vital at any age.

“I am super chill all the time!”

This quote is amusing not just due to its irony, but the fact that it’s Leslie Knope, known for her organization and Type A personality, saying it makes it even funnier. However, Amy Poehler adds an extra layer of humor by shouting this line at Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott) as if she were emphasizing how relaxed one should be, which is inherently ironic and always amusing.

“Freedom of speech! Look it up! It’s in the thing!”

In the movie Baby Mama, Angie (Poehler) and Kate’s (Tina Fey) surrogacy agreement faces complications when they discover that Angie is pregnant, but not with Kate’s baby. During a subsequent courtroom scene, the judge asks Angie to be quiet. However, Angie seizes this moment to remind the lawyers present of the freedom of speech rights guaranteed to all Americans in the U.S. Constitution.

“Hi, Leslie. It’s Leslie. I love you. Hang in there.”

Leslie Knope consistently holds herself and her team members to high expectations, yet she never resorts to anger or rudeness. Instead, she motivates them through kind words of encouragement or simply by embodying her inspiring personality. In a voice memo, Leslie demonstrates this same kindness towards herself.

“Of course I’m delusional!”

In the sequel to “Inside Out”, titled “Inside Out 2“, Anger voices concerns about Joy’s optimism to Disgust, Fear, and Sadness, suggesting she’s being unrealistic. After acknowledging this, Joy retorts, “Have you ever considered how challenging it is to remain optimistic constantly? With all of your whining, whining, whining?” Poehler delivers a remarkable performance in this scene, making the quote an effective reminder that even those with the sunniest dispositions have their limits.

“Every girl dreams about winning. But winning is my destiny.”

Leslie Knope, a beloved television character, stands out for her unwavering optimism. An essential aspect of this optimism lies in having faith in oneself. In this portrayal, Leslie underscores her victorious spirit by demonstrating that she considers herself a winner precisely because she wholeheartedly believes so.

“I didn’t like Gone Girl. I go to the movies to escape. I didn’t want to see myself up there on the screen.”

Hosts of many award shows often mock the industry or nominees with humor. However, at the 2015 Golden Globes, Amy Poehler turned the tables by inviting the audience to laugh at her, as she playfully compared her life to the movie “Gone Girl.” In this film (spoiler alert), a woman orchestrates her own kidnapping, extorts several individuals, and even takes lives. While Poehler can make such a joke because in reality, she is known for being a charming and amiable person.

“Maybe it’s time for more women to be in charge.”

In terms of championing women and girls in Pawnee, admiring powerful females, and maintaining steadfastly feminist viewpoints, it’s evident that Leslie Knope is a woman who supports other women. It’s only natural that she would advocate for more female leaders.

“In Wasilla we chill baby chilla… but when I see oil it’s drill baby drill-a!”

In 2008, Tina Fey, a friend of Amy Poehler, made a comeback to SNL with a spot-on and side-splitting impression of Senator John McCain’s vice presidential nominee, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Palin handled the jokes gracefully, even appearing as a guest on the show herself. However, during “Weekend Update,” it was Poehler, not Fey, who portrayed Palin. With Palin watching and cheering enthusiastically, a heavily pregnant Poehler delivered energetic rap verses that she claimed were written by Palin, including a shout-out to Palin’s hometown. This moment became one of the most memorable in SNL‘s history.

“I am big enough to admit that I am often inspired by myself.”

Every individual possesses a special talent or trait that serves as an inspiration for others, yet the hustle and bustle of daily life, coupled with our tendency to focus more on our shortcomings than our achievements, often prevents us from recognizing it. Quoting Leslie Knope, let’s remember to focus on our best qualities instead.

“I’m not following you. This is a dual storm off!”

2019 marked Amy Poehler’s first venture into directing with the side-splitting Netflix production titled “Wine Country.” Beyond managing the project, Poehler also shone in a significant on-screen role. The film chronicles a group of friends (comprising Saturday Night Live veterans like Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, and Tina Fey) as they journey to Napa Valley for a 50th birthday celebration. As the weekend unfolds, long-standing and fresh grudges put friendship ties to the test. After a heated disagreement, Naomi (Maya Rudolph) departs from her companions. Not long after, Abby (Poehler) also bids farewell from the gathering. However, she employs the quote you mentioned to indicate that she too has her own motives for leaving.

“I am a goddess.”

In the captivating world of Parks and Recreation, one of my favorite story arcs unfolds when Leslie Knope discovers that the Pawnee Rangers, led by the formidable Ron Swanson (played brilliantly by Nick Offerman), bar girls from membership. This revelation sparks a rebellion within Leslie, leading her to establish a rival group, the Pawnee Goddesses. Leslie’s credo for this sisterhood resonates strongly: “I am a goddess, a powerful female warrior. Queen of all I behold. Let the winds of injustice tremble at my womanly might. Yes!”

As the Pawnee Goddesses gain traction, they become an irresistible force, captivating the hearts of every child in town – boys and girls alike. The joy they bring is contagious, turning Pawnee into a playground for all!

“These facts and opinions look so similar!”

Within the movie “Inside Out”, Joy takes a chance to delve deeper into Riley’s thoughts. This quote encapsulates one of Joy’s astute insights into the workings of a pre-teen mind.

“I have the most valuable currency in America: a blind, stubborn belief that I’m 100% right.”

Leslie Knope is remarkably inspiring, yet not without flaws. Her extensive knowledge and readiness on a wide range of topics can sometimes lead her to underestimate the insights others might bring to the table. However, this quote suggests that she possesses some self-awareness regarding her own imperfections.

“TV is the one that I watch for five hours straight, but a movie is the one that I won’t even start because it’s two hours long.”

During the 2021 Golden Globes, co-hosting alongside friend Tina Fey, Poehler displayed exceptional comedic skill. Rather than joking about the nominees or Hollywood’s eccentricities, she humorously touched on a relatable topic: avoiding lengthy films yet binge-watching multiple episodes of an hour-long series because we can’t resist getting hooked. It seems Netflix might be onto something when asking if we’re still watching!

“There’s nothing we can’t do if we work hard, never sleep, and shirk all other responsibilities in our lives.”

In the initial seasons of “Parks and Recreation,” I, as a devoted viewer, discovered that Leslie Knope was an unyielding worker, always ready to put in extra effort to accomplish her goals. This quote encapsulates Leslie’s early work ethic and outlook on life. Luckily, as she forged deeper bonds with her team and fell in love with Ben (Adam Scott), Leslie started to value friendships and family more profoundly.

“We weren’t intersectional enough … We called our meetings pow wows!”

In Amy Poehler’s second directorial effort, titled Moxie, which is available on Netflix, we follow a band of high school girls who fight against the discriminatory environment at their school by publishing an underground magazine. Alongside her directing duties, Poehler also plays Lisa, the mother of the protagonist. Through her heartfelt conversation with her daughter, she subtly advises her to blaze a trail different from her own, one that is more progressive and empowering.

“I stand by my decision to avoid salad and other disgusting things.”

In her role as an employee for Pawnee’s Parks and Recreation Department, then later a member of the Pawnee City Council, Leslie Knope is expected to assist every local resident and business – yes, even those like Sue’s Salads and produce sellers at the farmer’s market. However, it doesn’t mean she has to feel fondness towards her tasks; this quote indicates that Leslie carries out these duties because they are part of her professional responsibility.

“Cake is, like, a fluffy dessert that people eat on their birthdays.”

At the 2015 Golden Globes, Jennifer Aniston was nominated for her role in the movie “Cake”. Later on, Poehler humorously defined the term “cake” to the health-conscious Hollywood audience. After this, Tina Fey jokingly pointed out another sensitive issue by saying, “And birthdays are something people celebrate when they acknowledge that they have grown older.

“Find your team and get to work.”

This Leslie Knope quote encapsulates the core values of her character and “Parks and Recreation.” No individual can accomplish anything significant on their own; we all require assistance. An isolated effort may not be enough to move a mountain, but if we assemble an effective team, we could very well achieve success.

2025-01-15 21:38

“I’m not like a regular mom, I’m a *cool* mom.”