| |
 |
| |
| |
 |
 |
Jon
Heder stars as the title character in Napoleon Dynamite, which
is probably the best film ever. Already a cult classic, Napoleon Dynamite
includes some of the most unforgettable characters ever created. The film
is about Napoleon Dynamite, a tall, gawky high school student, who lives
in Idaho with his eccentric family, and is one of the most unforgettable
film characters ever created. Napoleon's quest to help his friend Pedro
win Student Body President demonstrates the magic and unique skills inherent
in everyone, even those society deems "uncool." Through being
true to his own personality, Napoleon is able to realize his dreams.
Now
Wolfman Productions proudly presents the cast of this unique film: Jon
Heder; Aaron Ruell, who plays Kip Dynamite,
Napoleon's older brother; Jon Gries, who plays Napoleon's
Uncle Rico; and Efren Ramirez, who plays Napoleon's best
friend Pedro. |
 |
 |
| |
|
 |
Jon
Heder
"Napoleon Dynamite"
Jon
Heder is a 26-year-old Brigham Young University student who is majoring
in 3-D Animation along with his identical twin brother Daniel. Both began
their school career in the Film Studies program. Jon was raised in Salem,
Oregon in a family of 6 children. He currently lives in Springville, Utah,
with his wife Kirsten. He has acted in several student productions and
was the lead in the award-winning short film Peluca, which was
written and directed by Napoleon Dynamite helmer Jared Hess.
Read
more about Jon Heder and Napoleon Dynamite... |
 |
|
 |
 |
| |
 |
 |
Efren
Ramirez
"Pedro"
Efren Ramirez graduated from a conservatory program at The Laura
Henry Studio in Santa Monica, and studied and performed improv at The
Young Actors Space. He has appeared on television in "The District,"
"ER," "Judging Amy," "Relativity," "Dangerous
Minds," and "Nothing Sacred." He currently has recurring
roles on "Even Steven," Fox's "Boston Public," and
the animated series "Pepe the Bull." His film credits include
Delivering Milo with Albert Finney, The Race with Cliff
Robertson, and Missing Pieces opposite the late James Coburn.
He recently shot the pilots "The Commissary" and "I Hate
You." His next film is Night Crew with Bruce Campbell and
Jack Black. |
 |
|
 |
 |
| |
 |
 |
Jon
Gries
"Uncle Rico"
Jon
Gries has appeared in more than 30 feature films. His recent starring
credits include the Independent Spirit Award-winning Jackpot;
The Big Empty, which premiered at the AFI Film Festival with
Gries starring opposite Jon Favreau and Daryl Hannah; Northfork;
The Snow Walker, which was nominated for 11 Canadian Academy Awards
including Best Picture of the year; and last summer's hit The Rundown,
in which he appears opposite The Rock and Christopher Walken.
Other
memorable credits include Get Shorty, Running Scared
and Real Genius. His next project is the independent feature
Sledge. |
 |
|
 |
 |
| |
|
 |
Aaron
Ruell
"Kip Dynamite"
Aaron
Ruell was born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley of California. He
discovered still photography and filmmaking in high school, which led
him to Brigham Young University's film school. Ruell is primarily a writer
and director and his work includes several short films as well as a series
of national television commercials. Napoleon Dynamite marks Aaron's
acting debut. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
More
about Aaron Ruell and Efren Ramirez: |
| |
"All together 1,270 attended, one of the largest crowds at a Student
Activities Board event."
-- SAB, SUNY Cortland |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
More
about Jon Heder and Napoleon Dynamite: |
 |
 |
| |
Even more inspiring than the film is the story of its success. Jon Heder
attended Brigham Young University with co-creators Jared and Jerusha Hess.
They worked together on several short student films, directed by Jared,
written by Jared and Jersuha, and starring Jon. After graduation, they
used family connections to raise $200,000 to film the feature length Napoleon
Dynamite. This unknown trio were able to premiere the film at the
prestigious Sundance Film Festival, and the enthusiastic reception it
achieved led to a bidding war between several major distributors. The
film went on to earn more than 50 million dollars, outstanding for such
a low budget film. In addition, the film has generated intense passion
among its predominantly young fanbase, who enthusiastically repeat the
film's catchphrases and watch it over and over again. Unusual among current
teen comedies is the warmth and lack of offensive material in the film,
which is rated PG. Although the film has little or no religious undertones,
the positive message it imparts is probably due in part to the fact that
Jon, Jared and Jerusha were all raised Mormon, and in fact met at a Mormon
University.
Jon's
story of how he and his friends went from struggling student film-makers
in Utah to college comedy favorites is an inspiring one, and will help
anyone appreciate that dreams are achievable, with hard work, loyalty,
and remaining true to oneself. The story of Napoleon Dynamite
is echoed in the real life saga of Jon Heder, and his fantastic, rags
to riches tale is a Hollywood story for the ages.
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|