Name: Jon Heder
Birth Name: Jonathan Joseph Heder
Birthdate: Oct. 26, 1977
Birthplace: Fort Collins, Colo.
1-MINUTE RESUME FOR JON HEDER
While studying animation at Brigham Young University, Jon Heder befriended Jared Hess, who was directing a short film called
Peluca
that featured a weird, geeky kid named Seth. Hess cast Heder as Seth,
and the character was eventually expanded to become the lead in 2004's
Napoleon Dynamite
("Heck yes!"). Following the huge success of that indie (it cost
$400,000 to make; it earned $44.5 million), and hoping to branch out
from the
Dynamite character, Heder went on to appear in
Blades of Glory opposite Will Ferrell and
School for Scoundrels opposite Billy Bob Thornton.
5 Things:
1. He's a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and spent two years on a mission in Japan.
2. His religion dictates that he not work on Sunday, and you won't ever hear him swear in a movie.
3. His trademark frizzy Napoleon hair was actually a perm.
4. An internet rumor once surfaced that he had died in a tragic accident.
5. He admires the comedic performances of Jim Carrey, Will Ferrell and Jack Black.
Quote:
"Personally, sometimes I'm just sick of seeing high school movies and
the messages they give … Celebrating the nerd liberates so many young
people, and even old. It was very liberating for me."
—
Futuremovies.com
Family:
Wife: Kirsten; married 2002; expecting their first child (announced Sept. 15, 2006)
FILMS
Moving McAllister - (2007 ) - Actor
Blades of Glory - (2007) - Actor
Surf's Up - (2007) - Voice
Mama's Boy - (2007) - Actor
The Benchwarmers - (2006) - Actor
Monster House - (2006) - Voice
School for Scoundrels - (2006) - Actor
Just Like Heaven - (2005) - Actor
Napoleon Dynamite - (2004) - Actor
