Ya Heard?': No wonder Parks and Recreation's news broadcaster Perd Hapley looks familiar; he's played a reporter in 21 different shows and was a real-life TV anchor for more 22 years. Jay Jackson is known for playing the rather silly news broadcaster Perd Hadley on Parks and Recreation. He's portrayed a TV anchor and reporter in 21 other roles on TV and film, including Scandal, Revenge and Pretty Little Liars. Jay pulls from experience, having had 22 years of work as an actual broadcast news journalist The 48-year-old is also a jazz musician and owns a company that helps future broadcast journalists with their reels in Los Angeles, California. From Nancy Wilson (Vino Jazz Festival) to Barbara Morrison (Pips) to Oleta Adams and Poncho Sanchez (Barclay Theater), Jay Jackson has performed in shows with some of the biggest names in jazz. But no matter whom heâ??s singing with, his soulful, rich jazz voice is unique and special. Jay trained at the prestigious LoDuca Brothers Music Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Performing in venues such as The Vino Jazz Festival, NOLAâ??s, Red, White and Bluezz, and the Hollywood Studio Bar and Grille, Jay is becoming a familiar treat for LA jazz fans. Jay Jackson is also an award-winning journalist and actor who is regularly seen on the hit NBC comedy Parks and Recreation, and has appeared on national television shows, such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dexter, The Mentalist, The Closer, and CBS News. Jay is also seen in the blockbusters Battleship and Fast Five and has appeared on Scandal and Criminal minds.
