Editorial Team
Photo by Gage Skidmore via Flickr.
Jon Heder is an American actor who rose to fame with his hilarious portrayal of the awkward teenager Napoleon Dynamite in the 2004 cult comedy film of the same name. He has since appeared in several other films and TV shows, such as “Blades of Glory,” “Surf’s Up” and “The Tiger Hunter.” Here are 10 interesting facts you may not have known about Jon Heder.
1. He has an identical twin brother named Dan, who is also an actor and filmmaker. They’ve collaborated on several projects, such as the short film “Peluca,” which was the basis for Napoleon Dynamite.
2. He is fluent in Japanese, as he spent two years in Japan as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has also voiced characters in Japanese animated films, such as “Pororo’s Racing Adventure” and “Pororo: Treasure Island Adventure.”
3. He is a nephew by marriage of former NFL player Vai Sikahema, who is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sikahema is a sports anchor and reporter for NBC10 in Philadelphia.
4. He is an Eagle Scout, and has served as a Scoutmaster in 2010. He has also participated in the Boy Scouts of America’s National Jamboree in 2013, where he performed a comedy sketch with his twin brother.
5. He met his wife, Kirsten Bales (now Kirsten Heder), while attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. They got married in 2002 and have four children: Evan, Philip, Timothy, and Alice.
6. He is a fan of video games, especially Nintendo games. He has said that his favorite game is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. He has also voiced characters in video games, such as Wreck-It Ralph and Disney Infinity.
7. He is a vegetarian, and has been since he was a child. He’s said that he doesn’t like the taste or texture of meat, and that he feels healthier without it.
8. He is allergic to cats and dogs, which makes him sneeze and itch. He has said that he loves animals, but he cannot have any pets because of his allergy.
9. He is a fan of Star Wars, and has collected memorabilia from the franchise. He has said that his favorite character is Han Solo, and that he owns a replica of his blaster. He has also appeared in a Star Wars-themed episode of “Robot Chicken,” where he voiced Anakin Skywalker.
10. He is a co-founder of the production company Greasy Entertainment, along with his twin brother and their friend Nick Peterson. They have produced several web series and short films, such as “Sockbaby,” “Drained” and “Reality Bytes.”
