A well-known actor and comedian, Jon Heder is best known for his role as Napoleon Dynamite in the hit comedy film of the same name. His incredible film made him a household name and also opened doors to new opportunities.
Heder has since appeared in many comedy films, voiced characters in animated movies, and even worked in television. With a career spanning over two decades, Heder has established himself as a successful figure in the entertainment industry. Naturally, people are curious about his career and life. We have sorted those details in the post below.
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Early Life
Jon Heder’s birth name is Jonathan Joseph Heder. He was born on 26th October 1977, in Fort Collins, Colorado, but he grew up in Salem, Oregon. He is the son of James and Helen Heder. Growing up alongside his siblings, Heder has an identical twin brother named Dan. His other siblings are Rachel, Adam, Doug, and Matt.
Coming from a Swedish background, Heder attended South Salem High School, where he developed an interest in acting. He later went to Brigham Young University in 2002 to study animation. It was during his time at BYU that he met future filmmaker Jared Hess.
Beginning of Career
Heder’s acting career started with short films while he was a student at BYU. He worked with director Jared Hess on a short film called Peluca in 2002. This short film was later turned into a full-length movie Napoleon Dynamite, which turned out to be a major success.
Heder also won a few awards, including the MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Male Performance and Best Musical Performance for his role.
Shot to Fame
After the success of Napoleon Dynamite, Heder starred in several comedy films. In 2006, he appeared in The Benchwarmers and School for Scoundrels. The following year, he co-starred with Will Ferrell in Blades of Glory. The film was another box office success. He also acted in films like Ghost Team, Mama’s Boy, and When in Rome.
Besides acting, Heder has lent his voice to animated films and TV shows. He voiced the main character in Surf’s Up and its sequel Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania. In 2012, he reprised his role as Napoleon Dynamite in an animated series based on the movie.
Relationship
Jon Heder is a married man and his wife is Kirsten Bales. The two tied the knot in 2002 and have been together since then. The couple met while studying at Brigham Young University and have four children together. They are also members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Major Source of Income and Net Worth
As of 2025, Jon Heder’s net worth is around $10 million. His main source of income comes from acting in films and TV shows. His voice-acting roles in animated projects have also contributed to his earnings. Additionally, he makes money from appearances at fan conventions and events. Over the years, he has worked hard to build a massive wealth, which is likely to increase more in future.
