Jon Heder is an American actor and producer best known for his role as Napoleon Dynamite in the 2004 cult classic film.
He has appeared in various films, including Blades of Glory and The Benchwarmers, and lent his voice to animated features like Monster House and Surf’s Up.
Heder has been married to Kirsten Bales since 2002 and has four children.
He is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Siblings
Jon has a notable family background with several siblings.
He has an identical twin brother, Daniel Heder, who is also involved in the film industry.
In addition to Daniel, Jon has an older sister named Rachel, an older brother named Doug, and two younger brothers, Adam and Matt.
Career
Heder’s career began to take shape during his time at Brigham Young University (BYU), where he studied film.
It was there that he honed his acting and filmmaking skills, participating in various student projects.
Before achieving fame, Heder appeared in short films, with his first significant role being in the 2003 short film Peluca, which served as a precursor to his breakout role.
In 2004, Heder gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Napoleon Dynamite in the indie film Napoleon Dynamite.
This low-budget film became a cultural phenomenon, resonating with audiences due to its quirky humor and memorable quotes.
Heder’s performance earned him several accolades, including MTV Movie Awards for Best Musical Performance and Breakthrough Male Performance.
The film grossed over $46 million against its $400,000 budget and won multiple awards, including Best Feature at the 2005 Independent Spirit Awards.
Following the success of Napoleon Dynamite, Heder starred in several notable films.
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In Blades of Glory, he showcased his comedic timing alongside Will Ferrell as Chazz Michael Michaels, a flamboyant figure skater.
The film was well-received and further solidified Heder’s status as a comedic actor.
He also appeared in The Benchwarmers, where he played one of three adult misfits who form a baseball team to compete against kids, reinforcing his comedic credentials.
Additionally, Heder lent his voice to animated films such as Surf’s Up, where he voiced the character Cody Maverick, and Monster House, demonstrating his versatility in voice acting.
His television work includes reprising his role as Napoleon in the animated series based on Napoleon Dynamite in 2012, which allowed fans to revisit the beloved character despite its single-season run.
Heder has also made guest appearances on various shows, including The Mindy Project and How I Met Your Mother, showcasing his range beyond film.
Awards and accolades
Heder has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, reflecting his impact in the film industry.
He has won 8 awards and received 17 nominations.
Notably, Heder won two MTV Movie Awards in 2005 for Best Breakthrough Male Performance and Best Musical Performance for his role in Napoleon Dynamite.
He was also nominated for the Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Breakthrough Performance that same year.
In addition to his MTV accolades, Heder has been recognized at various other award ceremonies.
He received nominations for several Teen Choice Awards, including multiple categories for Napoleon Dynamite and his role in Blades of Glory.
His work in Napoleon Dynamite also earned him a nomination for the Washington DC Independent Film Festival’s Grand Jury Award in 2012.
Heder’s contributions to voice acting were acknowledged when he won the BTVA People’s Choice Voice Acting Award in 2017.
He continues to be celebrated for his unique comedic talent and memorable performances across various genres.
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