Napoleon Dynamite
2004 film by Jared Hess · Released January 17, 2004
Napoleon Dynamite is a 2004 American comedy film directed by Jared Hess, written by Jared and Jerusha Hess, and produced by Jeremy Coon, Chris Wyatt, and Sean Covel. It stars Jon Heder as Napoleon Dynamite, a nerdy high-school student who deals with several dilemmas: befriending an immigrant who wants to be class president, awkwardly pursuing a romance with a fellow student, and living with his quirky family. Napoleon Dynamite was Hess's first full-length film and is partially adapted from his 2002 short film Peluca. It was acquired at the Sundance Film Festival by Fox Searchlight Pictures, which partnered with Paramount Pictures and MTV Films for the release.
Cast ages at release (January 17, 2004)
- Jon Heder, as Napoleon Dynamite: 26
- Jon Gries, as Uncle Rico Dynamite: 46
- Efren Ramirez, as Pedro Sánchez: 30
- Tina Majorino, as Deborah "Deb" Bradshaw: 18
- Aaron Ruell, as Kipland Ronald "Kip" Dynamite: 27
- Diedrich Bader, as Rex: 37
- Haylie Duff, as Summer Wheatly: 18
- Shondrella Avery, as LaFawnduh Lucas: 32
- Sandy Martin, as Grandma Carlinda Dynamite: 53