Before getting together with her husband Ben Wyatt, Leslie Knope dated a variety of men in the seven-season hit sitcom Parks and Recreation. The Deputy Director's romantic interests ranged from men who could have easily become her true love to odd character choices made for comic relief. Nonetheless, many of the men she dated ultimately helped make her and Ben's relationship seem even better.
The work-oriented Deputy Director of Pawnee's Parks and Recreational Department, Leslie Knope, doesn't get lucky in love until Parks and Rec season 3 when she and Ben's romance finally blossoms. Her upbeat yet single-minded nature made it difficult for her to click with the idea of weaving a committed relationship into her career-driven life. Leslie's optimism clashed with Ben Wyatt's pessimism but their relationship developed from colleagues butting heads to opposites that attract each other. It did, however, take some trial and error in the dating world for Leslie to find the one.
Mark Brendanawicz, who becomes romantically intertwined with Leslie's best friend Ann Perkins, is Leslie's biggest love interest for the first couple of Parks and Recreation seasons. They were a toxic pairing since Mark brought out Leslie's jealous side and he also made sexual advances despite not returning her romantic feelings. Once the actor needed to leave the series, Leslie's love life became more complicated. Until Ben, she either dated men for work-related affairs, distanced herself from true romantic opportunities, and even dated friends like Tom Haverford which she would come to regret. Here are all the guys Leslie Knope dated before Ben Wyatt.
MRI Technician Chris
Leslie Knope meets Chris in the same episode she meets her short-term boyfriend, Justin, in season 2 episode 13 "The Setup." Chris is an MRI technician portrayed by Arrested Development star Will Arnett. She is set up on a date with him by Ann Perkins who is trying to prevent sparks from flying between Leslie and her close friend Justin. They immediately clash because Leslie studied at a rival college, but that doesn't stop him from inviting her to try out an MRI machine. Leslie decides she doesn't want to be with him when he makes awkward sexual comments during the scan.
George Gernway
George Gernway is one of the men Leslie Knope dates who ends up being a device for comedic relief. They meet in Parks and Rec season 1 episode 6 "Rock Show" because Leslie's mother Marlene Griggs-Knope sets her up on a date with him. Though he seems pleased with her, Leslie's interest fizzles out completely when she realizes she isn't attending a political strategy session like she thought she would be. George comes with Leslie to watch Andy sing for a gig at the local bar, but it is obvious she's with him out of pity. He leaves the concert because he's tired, ending their short-lived connection.
Tom Haverford
Tom Haverford and Leslie Knope match on a dating site in the Parks and Rec episode "Soulmates." Leslie, being a detail-oriented individual, feels the urge to understand why she and Tom ed as 98 percent compatible. She takes Tom on a date to get to the bottom of the mystery. Furthermore, Leslie is probably inspired to go on a date with Tom because of her recent rejection from Ben, who she was convinced liked her. It isn't surprising that Tom's sleazy personality doesn't mingle well with Leslie's self-respect. They kiss but their relationship never goes much further than that, especially after she discovers Tom creates dozens of profiles to match with any type of woman.
Dave Sanderson
Dave Sanderson appears in six episodes of Parks and Recreation and is a stern police officer portrayed by comedian Louis C.K. He meets Leslie Knope in season 2 episode 2 "The Stakeout" where he arrests Tom Haverford for stealing his own van. Like Ben Wyatt, Sanderson's serious attitude serves as a perfect foil for Leslie Knope's outgoing persona. She also occasionally helps him with work, such as tipping him off about Greg Pikitis, which helps their relationship grow. They part ways when Leslie decides she doesn't want to move to San Diego with him. In Parks and Rec season 4 episode 15 "Dave Returns" he comes back, however, and has to face that she's moved on from him with Ben despite the fact he's still in love with her.
Justin Anderson
Justin Anderson is a civil litigation lawyer that appears in four episodes of Parks and Recreation and is played by Justin Theroux. He becomes Leslie Knope's boyfriend after Dave Sanderson's departure in season 2. They meet in season 2 episode 13 "The Setup" when Ann recommends him to Leslie to help with a lawsuit Pawnee is facing. He's flirtatious and smooth, unlike Dave, implying that he is likely an unhealthy rebound for Leslie. Their relationship is complicated because of Justin's established friendship with Leslie's friend Ann who is hiding that she has feelings for him. Leslie breaks up with Justin in season 2 episode 16 "Galentine's Day" because she has a revelation that he's too selfish and flighty to maintain a relationship with.
Leslie Knope dated several men in the first few seasons of Parks and Rec but they were all stepping stones that led her towards the end goal of marrying her soul mate Ben Wyatt. Though she slept with Mark Brendanawicz, he never returned her feelings and was not mentioned again after exiting the show. These were all the men Leslie dated before Ben in Parks and Recreation, recounting how they met and why they didn't work out.