john heder

Jonathan Joseph Heder was born on October 26, 1977, in Fort Collins, Colorado. He later moved to Salem, Oregon, at the age of two, where he attended Walker Middle School and graduated from South Salem High School in 1996. During his time in high school, Heder was an active member of both the swim team and the drama club, showcasing early interests in performance. As an Eagle Scout and a fluent Japanese speaker, having served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan, Heder brings a unique background to his professional endeavors. He pursued higher education at Brigham Young University, where he met Jared Hess, a collaboration that would prove pivotal in his career.

Heder’s breakthrough role came in 2004 as the title character in the comedy film “Napoleon Dynamite.” This independent film garnered significant attention and led to Heder reprising the role in an animated series and an MTV Movie Awards skit. Following this success, he appeared in a series of notable comedy films, including “Just Like Heaven” (2005), where he played a supporting role, “The Benchwarmers” (2006) alongside Rob Schneider and David Spade, and “Blades of Glory” (2007) with Will Ferrell. His work also extends into voice acting, where he lent his voice to characters in animated productions such as “Monster House” (2006) and “Surf’s Up” (2007), showcasing his versatility across different genres. In 2005, Heder hosted “Saturday Night Live,” further solidifying his presence in mainstream entertainment.

Throughout his career, Heder has continued to take on diverse roles in both live-action and animated projects. His filmography includes appearances in “School for Scoundrels” (2006), “Mama’s Boy” (2007), “When in Rome” (2010), “For Ellen” (2012), “Reality” (2014), and “Ghost Team” (2016). He has also maintained a strong presence in voice acting, with roles in the “Pororo the Penguin” film series, “Pinocchio: A True Story” (2021), and “Thelma the Unicorn” (2024). Heder’s commitment to his craft is evident in his consistent work and willingness to explore various character types, from awkward comedic leads to animated figures. He has been married to Kirsten Bales since 2002, and they have four children.