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Who is Jon Heder?
Jon Heder is an American actor and producer, perhaps best known for his title role in the 2004 film “Napoleon Dynamite”, directed by Jared Hess. Heder’s portrayal of the socially awkward and eccentric teenager gained him widespread recognition, and he became an iconic character. He’s since appeared in various films and television shows.
What Happened to Jon Heder?
Jon has experienced some ups and downs in his career, but he’s now fully focused on Hollywood. He was away for some time from the industry, saying that he wasn’t happy with other people in Hollywood. Nevertheless, he’s currently working on several projects. He’s recently completed the film “Killing Winston Jones”, in which he portrays Edwin Jones, and is set to appear in the film “Tapawingo”, in which he will play the character Nate Skoog.
Jon Heder Wiki: Age, Childhood, and Education
Jonathan Joseph Heder was born on 26 October 1977, in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA, the son of James Heder who was a physician, and Helen Heder. He’s one of four siblings in the family; he has a twin brother, Dan, an older sister Rachel, and an older brother Doug. Heder attended Walker Middle School in Salem, Oregon, before matriculating from South Salem High School in 1996. He enrolled at Brigham Young University, Utah – while there, he worked on the animated short film “Pet Shop”. However, his acting career got going, and he never returned to finish his work on the film. One more important thing, it was at BYU that he met Jared Hess, through whom he made his acting start.
Career Beginnings and Early Stardom
Heder’s journey to stardom began with small roles in short films. In 2000, he made his career debut as an audience member in “The Wrong Brother”, and demonstrated his comedic skills as Officer Hardy in “Funky Town”.
During his time at Brigham Young University (BYU), Jon Heder formed a friendship with Jared Hess, a fellow student. This friendship led to Heder starring in a short film directed by Hess called “Peluca”. The success and potential of the short film eventually led to it being expanded into the cult classic film “Napoleon Dynamite”, the lead role in which that launched him into the spotlight and widespread recognition.
The movie was a quirky indie comedy that followed the life of a socially awkward and eccentric teenager named Napoleon Dynamite, played brilliantly by Heder. Directed by Hess, the film became a surprise hit, earning $44.5 million at the box office. Heder’s portrayal of Napoleon garnered critical acclaim and a devoted fan base. His deadpan delivery, awkward mannerisms, and unforgettable catchphrases like “Vote for Pedro” became iconic, and won him the 2005, MTV Movie Award for Best Musical Performance and Breakthrough Male Performance, further solidifying his rising star status.
Later that year, Heder had the opportunity to display his comedic talents on a larger stage, when he hosted “Saturday Night Live” in October alongside musical guest Ashlee Simpson.
Building on his success, Heder continued to charm audiences with his unique brand of humor in subsequent projects. In 2006, he appeared in the romantic comedy “Just Like Heaven” and the comedy film “The Sasquatch Gang.” However, it was his role as Clark, a socially awkward and geeky character in “The Benchwarmers” that brought him further acclaim. The film, co-starring comedy veterans Rob Schneider and David Spade, tells the story of three adult friends who form their own Little League baseball team to compete against younger players. Heder’s performance added a touch of awkward charm to the hilarious ensemble.
During the same year, Heder lent his voice to the animated film “Monster House”, providing the voice for the character Skull. The film follows a group of kids who discover that their neighbor’s house is a living, breathing monster. Heder’s comedic timing and distinctive voice added a playful element to the animated adventure. Additionally, he was on his comedic prowess once again in the comedy “School for Scoundrels”, starring alongside Billy Bob Thornton and Jacinda Barrett.
Has anyone ever pointed out how much Jon Heder in Blades of Glory looks like Harold Wilson’s political secretary, Marcia Falkender? pic.twitter.com/ipTSDsSpY9
— Grant Tucker (@GrantTucker) March 18, 2018
In 2007, Heder teamed up with comedy heavyweight Will Ferrell in the hit film “Blades of Glory”, which revolves around two rival figure skaters, played by Heder and Ferrell, who are forced to team up as a pair to compete in the world championship.
Continuing his foray into animated films, Heder voiced the character Chicken Joe in the 2007 film “Surf’s Up”. The movie explores the world of competitive surfing through the eyes of a young penguin named Cody Maverick. Heder’s energetic and enthusiastic portrayal of Chicken Joe added a touch of humor and heart to the animated adventure.
In 2008, Heder ventured into the world of web television by producing and starring in the web series “Woke Up Dead”. The live-action, sci-fi comedy thriller followed Drex, a USC student who wakes up underwater in the bathtub one morning and suspects he may be dead.
In 2012, Heder returned to the role that made him famous by lending his voice to the Fox Network animated series “Napoleon Dynamite”. The series brought back the beloved characters from the original film and continued their misadventures in the town of Preston, Idaho.
Outside of acting, Heder made appearances in music videos, adding another dimension to his creative endeavors. In 2013, he appeared in the music video for “On Top of the World”, alongside numerous other Utah-based actors and musicians. The following year, Heder starred in the music video for the Chromeo song “Old 45s”.
Recent Work
In January 2017, Heder returned to his role as Chicken Joe in the direct-to-video sequel “Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania”. From 2017 to 2018, Heder lent his voice to the animated series “Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters”, portraying multiple characters, including Multi-Farious, Don Robertson, and Dr. Don Robertson, in four episodes, Heder’s voice acting skills bringing these diverse characters to life.
Additionally, in 2018, Heder made a guest appearance in the television series “Swedish Dicks”, playing the character Mark in the episode entitled “Two Dicks Walk into a Bar”. The series follows two unlicensed Swedish private detectives living in Los Angeles – Heder’s comedic timing and charm make his appearance memorable.
Net Worth
According to authoritative sources, Jon Heder’s net worth is estimated at $10 million as of mid-2023.
Personal Life, Married, Wife, Children
Jon Heder met Kirsten Bales at the university. The two have been married since 2002 and have four children. Moreover, they are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Appearance and Body Measurements
Jon Heder has dark brown hair and blue eyes. He stands at 6ft 2ins (1.87m), while he weighs approximately 160lbs (72kgs). His vital statistics are unknown, but he has an athletic figure.
