Jon Heder Net Worth​ and Rise to Fame: From Napoleon Dynamite to Hollywood Success

Jon Heder Net Worth: $10 Million

Jon Heder is an American actor and filmmaker with a net worth of $10 million. He gained fame for his role as the quirky Napoleon in the 2004 comedy film Napoleon Dynamite. This role helped launch his successful career in Hollywood.

Between 2015 and 2018, Heder appeared in several popular films such as Just Like Heaven, The Benchwarmers, Blades of Glory, and School for Scoundrels. He also voiced characters in animated movies like Surf’s Up and Monster House. Additionally, Heder featured in TV shows like Pickle and Peanut. Although he slowed down his Hollywood career after 2018, he still occasionally takes on roles.

Jon Heder’s net worth reflects his successful career in both live-action films and voice acting.

Napoleon Dynamite Salary

Jon Heder was paid just $1,000 for his iconic role as Napoleon in Napoleon Dynamite. This low salary seemed like a bargain after the movie went on to earn $44.5 million at the box office. Despite the small initial payment, Heder’s performance became a cultural phenomenon, and the film’s success helped launch his career in Hollywood.

Early Life and Education

Jon Heder was born in 1977 in Fort Collins, Colorado, to Helen and James, a physician. He is of Swedish descent and has five siblings, including his identical twin brother Dan. The family moved to Salem, Oregon, when Jon was about two years old. There, he attended Walker Middle School and South Salem High School, where he was part of the drama club and swim team. Jon also became an Eagle Scout. After graduating high school, he went on to study at Brigham Young University, where he graduated in 2002. During his time at BYU, Jon became close friends with Jared Hess and starred in his short film Peluca.

Breakthrough with “Napoleon Dynamite”

In 2004, Jon Heder gained widespread fame for his role in the independent film Napoleon Dynamite. The movie, adapted from Jared Hess’s short film Peluca, featured Heder as the awkward high school student, Napoleon, who navigates through quirky friends and personal challenges. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in January, the film quickly became a huge hit. It earned $46 million at the box office, despite having a budget of just $400,000. Heder’s performance earned him several awards, including MTV Movie Awards for Best Breakthrough Performance and Best Musical Sequence. He also received multiple Teen Choice Award nominations. Over time, Napoleon Dynamite became a cult classic and even inspired a short-lived animated series on Fox.

Further Film Career

After his success with Napoleon Dynamite, Jon Heder continued to build his career in Hollywood. In 2005, he played a supporting role as a new-age bookstore clerk in the romantic comedy Just Like Heaven, starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo. The following year, Heder lent his voice to the supernatural animated film Monster House and took leading roles in two comedies: The Benchwarmers, alongside David Spade and Rob Schneider, and School for Scoundrels, where he starred opposite Billy Bob Thornton and Jacinda Barrett. Although these films received negative reviews, with some wondering if Heder was a one-hit wonder, his career rebounded in 2007.

That year, Heder starred alongside Will Ferrell in the hit sports comedy Blades of Glory, which was well-received by both critics and audiences. He also voiced Chicken Joe in the animated film Surf’s Up, appeared in Moving McAllister with Mila Kunis, and starred opposite Diane Keaton in Mama’s Boy. These roles helped Heder establish himself as a versatile actor in Hollywood.

In the early 2010s, Jon Heder took on a variety of roles. He appeared in the romantic comedy When in Rome and the drama For Ellen. He also made a cameo in the ensemble comedy Life Happens. Additionally, Heder lent his voice to the English-dubbed versions of several animated films, including Legend of Kung Fu Rabbit, Pinocchio, and Pororo, The Racing Adventure.

Heder continued to diversify his career with roles in Quentin Dupieux’s satirical comedy Reality, the biographical drama Walt Before Mickey, where he portrayed Roy Disney, and the holiday ensemble comedy Christmas Eve. He also appeared in the comedy thriller Ghost Team and the film The Tiger Hunter, alongside Danny Pudi. Other later credits include Unexpected Race and Killing Winston Jones. These projects further showcased Heder’s range as an actor in both comedy and drama.

Television Career

Jon Heder made his television debut in a 2004 episode of the sketch comedy series Mad TV. Following this, he lent his voice to the animated series Robot Chicken and hosted Saturday Night Live, with Ashlee Simpson as the musical guest. In 2008, Heder appeared in an episode of the NBC sitcom My Name is Earl and also made a guest appearance on How I Met Your Mother. Over the years, Heder has taken on several voice roles in animated TV shows. These include The Legend of Korra, Kroll Show (Comedy Central), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Nickelodeon), Uncle Grandpa (Cartoon Network), Clarence, Ben 10: Omniverse, as well as the streaming series All Hail King Julien and Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters. From 2015 to 2018, he voiced the main role of Peanut on the Disney XD series Pickle and Peanut.

Web Series

In 2008, Jon Heder ventured into the world of web series with the horror comedy Woke Up Dead, which he both produced and starred in. He also teamed up with his brother Dan for the internet martial arts comedy series Sockbaby. Heder made additional appearances in various web series, including Dead Grandma (which he hosted), and guest-starred on TableTop and Critical Role.

Personal Life

Jon Heder met his wife, Kirsten Bales, while attending Brigham Young University, and they married in 2002. They are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have four children—two sons and two daughters.