Bill Murray Played The Mayor On 'Parks & Rec,' Making Amy Poehler's Dreams Come True

In the stretch toward its final episode, "Parks and Recreation" is pulling out all the stops. On Tuesday night, that meant a little old guest appearance by Bill Murray. Yes, BILL MURRAY was on "Parks and Recreation."

The actor appeared as Walter Gunderson, the deceased mayor of Pawnee -- a character widely referenced throughout the show's history but never before depicted. The mayor spoke to his residents from the grave in a little video message, and had an open casket at his funeral.

Getting Murray to play the mayor of Pawnee has been a dream of Amy Poehler and the "Parks and Rec" cast and crew for years. Back in 2011, Poehler mentioned her wish to cast him in an interview at PayleyFest and during an appearance on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." She brought it up it again in an interview with Entertainment Weekly at Sundance in 2013.

"I want Bill Murray to play the mayor," she said "And I just dream about it every night. I whisper it to a bird and then I open the window and the bird flies away."

Show creator Mike Schur told Entertainment Weekly that when they did finally manage to snag the actor, he was the perfect addition on set.

“He was just the most delightful person,” he said. “Not only was he incredibly complimentary of the show, he went around to every one of the actors and told them how great they were and cited specific episodes and moments. He hung out on the set for three hours, watching us shoot the show.”

The man, the myth, the legend.