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Jon Heder

Jon Heder

Actor, also producer · Born October 26, 1977 (49) · Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Jonathan Joseph Heder (born October 26, 1977) is an American screenwriter, actor, and filmmaker. His feature film debut came in 2004 as the title character of the comedy film Napoleon Dynamite. He also starred in the films The Benchwarmers, School for Scoundrels, Blades of Glory, Mama's Boy, When in Rome, and as Roy Disney in Walt Before Mickey. He provided his voice talents in the animated films Monster House and Surf's Up, as well as the title character for the animated series Napoleon Dynamite.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 26, 1977 (49)
From
Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
47 on Motif · 70 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 16% in 30 days

What are Jon Heder's films like?

Across their 35 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy16 titlesTypical Motif score: 34th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Animation8 titlesTypical Motif score: 27th percentile
: browse their Animation movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Motif score: 40th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Motif score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
35%
Self
35%
Society
10%
Survival
8%
Morality
7%
Ideas
3%
Power
1%
Friendship12 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love9 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose9 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 32 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 27 · Serious 4 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 17 · Stylized 13 · Heightened 2

Gentle: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their gentle movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 24 · Charged 6 · Intense 2

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 26 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 12 · Funny 14

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 19 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 28 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 29 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

25 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 10 of 25 analyzed roles.

Hero
10 of 25
Ally
6 of 25
Trickster
5 of 25
Shapeshifter
2 of 25
Mentor
1 of 25
Shadow
1 of 25
Show the 25 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
16
Absurd
15
Warm
13
Hopeful
11
Contemplative
8
Other
31

How their films linger

Feel-good23 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful22 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy21
  • Bittersweet10
  • Ambiguous3
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Jon Heder's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 42 of their 47 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (18).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Jon Heder's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Motif score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

70 credits, 47 with a Motif page; 17 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Tapawingo(2023)

    as Nate Skoog

    Motif score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Waltzing with Brando(2024)

    as Bernard Judge

    Motif score: 40th percentile of all films

  • I See the Demon (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2025)

    as Roger

  • Plan B(2024)

    as Evan Ebert

    Motif score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Thelma the Unicorn(2024)

    as Reggie (voice)

    Motif score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Legend of Vox Machina(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Lionel (voice)

    Motif score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Pinocchio: A True Story(2021)

    as Tybalt (English)

    Motif score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Funny Thing About Love(2021)

    as Charlie

    Motif score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Tremors: Shrieker Island(2020)

    as Jimmy

    Motif score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • The 100 Candles Game(2020)

    Producer

    Motif score: 9th percentile of all films

  • The Aquabats! RadVentures! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as The Mauler

  • Unexpected Race(2018)

    as Harry

    Motif score: 4th percentile of all films

  • When Jeff Tried to Save the World(2018)

    as Jeff

    Motif score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Gloria Talks Funny (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2018)

    as Harrison

  • Sunshine Brownstone (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2017)

    as Balloon / Clerk / Underwater Giant

  • All Hail King Julien: Exiled (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · as Tentacle (voice)

  • When Jeff Tried to Save the World (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2017)

    as Jeff

  • The Tiger Hunter(2016)

    as Alex

    Motif score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Surf's Up 2: WaveMania(2016)

    as Chicken Joe (voice)

    Motif score: 6th percentile of all films

  • VeggieTales in the City(2017)

    Show as Avacajoe

    Motif score: 6th percentile of all shows

  • Ghost Team(2016)

    as Louis

    Motif score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Bling(2016)

    as Wilmer (voice)

    Motif score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Patient Seven(2016)

    Producer

    Motif score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Christmas Eve(2015)

    as James

    Motif score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Pickle and Peanut(2015)

    Show 82 episodes · as Pickle

    Motif score: 3rd percentile of all shows

  • Walt Before Mickey(2015)

    as Roy Disney

    Motif score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Weepah Way for Now(2015)

    as Ernie

    Motif score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Critical Role (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 3 episodes · as Lionel Gayheart

  • Reality(2014)

    as Dennis

    Motif score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Star vs. the Forces of Evil(2012)

    Show 11 episodes · as Oskar Greason (voice)

    Motif score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • The Visitant (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2014)

    Producer

  • My Dad Is Scrooge(2014)

    as Raffi (voice)

    Motif score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Clarence(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Randy (voice)

    Motif score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • About a Boy(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Computer Virus Guy

    Motif score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Beyond Beyond(2014)

    as Bill

    Motif score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Wildlife (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2014)

    as Raymond Hinckley

  • A Monsterous Holiday (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2013)

    as Frankenstein

  • Uncle Grandpa(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Additional Voices (voice) · as Kev / Additional Voices (voice)

    Motif score: 4th percentile of all shows

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Napoleon Bonafrog (voice)

    Motif score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • The Legend of Korra(2012)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ryu (voice)

    Motif score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • For Ellen(2012)

    as Fred Butler

    Motif score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Napoleon Dynamite(2012)

    Show 6 episodes · as Napoleon Dynamite (voice)

    Motif score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • All Star Bowling Trick Shots (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • Life Happens(2011)

    as Wrong Number Caller

    Motif score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Dead Grandma! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 10 episodes · as Jon Heder

  • Legend of Kung Fu Rabbit(2011)

    as Fu

    Motif score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Woke Up Dead (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    as Drex Greene

  • FCU: Fact Checkers Unit (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 8 episodes · as Jon

  • When in Rome(2010)

    as Lance

    Motif score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Woke Up Dead (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 22 episodes · as Drex

  • Mama's Boy(2007)

    as Jeffrey Mannus

    Motif score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Moving McAllister(2007)

    as Orlie

    Motif score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Surf's Up(2007)

    as Chicken Joe (voice)

    Motif score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Blades of Glory(2007)

    as Jimmy MacElroy

    Motif score: 57th percentile of all films

  • School for Scoundrels(2006)

    as Roger Waddell

    Motif score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Monster House(2006)

    as Reginald "Skull" Skulinski (voice)

    Motif score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • On Location Napoleon Dynamite (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    as Napoleon Dynamite (Archival Footage)

  • The Benchwarmers(2006)

    as Clark

    Motif score: 29th percentile of all films

  • The Sasquatch Gang(2006)

    as Laser Tag Employee

    Motif score: 60th percentile of all films

  • My Name Is Earl(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Joel Malone

    Motif score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • How I Met Your Mother(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Narshall

    Motif score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Showbiz Show with David Spade (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Just Like Heaven(2005)

    as Darryl

    Motif score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Tankman Begins (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    as Napoleon Dynamite/Batman

  • Napoleon Dynamite(2004)

    as Napoleon Dynamite

    Motif score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Sockbaby (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Black Ops Frogmen

  • Best Week Ever (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • Peluca (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2003)

    as Seth

  • Killing Winston Jones (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    as Edwin Jones

  • The Big Kill (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    as Peter

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 65 titles, 63 of them dated from 2003 to 2025; peak year 2006.

Biggest box office

Surf's Up (2007)

$152M worldwide

Highest rated

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Motif 81st

Most popular right now

Surf's Up (2007)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
20032025

Peak 2006 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 13 Motif titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting64 of 65: 64 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Motif score39thProducing1 of 65: 1 only producing, 0 with another role

By decade

2000s19 · acting2010s35 · 34 acting · 1 crew2020s9 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 21% of 24 roles
0308

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Jon Heder's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 30th percentile, the median of all 35; across their 32 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 28th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

28thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 32

Approval · how many liked their films

33rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 32

Reach · how many have seen their films

79thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 32

Motif score across 47 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th18

Shape of the crowd

24 of their 47 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Divisive3
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser12
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed24

Most divisive · actor

Pinocchio: A True Story (2021)

99th percentile spread · 57% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Star vs. the Forces of Evil (2012)

Motif 85th · 81% liked

Reviewers score the acting 57/100 in their films, across 30 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 33. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Motif score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Jon Heder's work okay for kids?

Across up to 14 Motif titles with content scores, frightening / intense runs lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore11 titles24–67 · median 35 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity14 titles16–55 · median 30 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 31
Profanity14 titles16–67 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 35
Alcohol & Drugs13 titles7–59 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense12 titles11–68 · median 27 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Jon Heder work with?

People who share at least 2 of Jon Heder's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jared Hess shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles