‘Napoleon Dynamite’ cast in Lexington telling why the movie is still a cult hit

As the title character of the unexpected cinema success “Napoleon Dynamite,” Jon Heder has seen the quirky, coming-of-age 2004 comedy movie come from humble beginnings. More specifically, black-and-white college short film humble beginnings, where Heder starred in director Jared Hess’s “Peluca” while attending Brigham Young University in 2002.

Now, this cult classic movie continues to attract new fans. Heder knows this because he encounters them several times a month when he ventures out to interact with appreciative audiences during “Napoleon Dynamite Live!”, which comes to the Lexington Opera House on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

“I think what’s great is you see all these original fans who saw it in theaters… and they are bringing their kids,” Heder said. “The younger crowd is experiencing this film… it’s pretty neat.”

Similar to the film the tour is spotlighting, the actual “Napoleon Dynamite Live!” tour also had humble and unexpected beginnings. Heder and cast members like Efren Ramirez (Pedro) and Jon Gries (Uncle Rico) initially got booked to appear on college campuses to discuss the movie. Six years ago, that same booker began scheduling them to appear at more theatres and historic venues for a combined film screening and moderated Q&A with the cast.

“It just kept getting booked, and he kept finding interest,” Heder recalled. “It just kind of started taking off with no real exit strategy.”

Interest in the film has only increased recently since 2024 marked the 20th anniversary of the movie’s release. Heder said it’s been fun seeing a film he thought would only be appreciated by people who liked arthouse and indie movies turn into something that is annual holiday viewing in some families or even put on in school classrooms as end-of-the-year entertainment before dismissing for summer break, based on the stories he’s heard on the road.

As the film begins to take on a life of its own, the live show has done the same.

“It slowly morphed into what it is today, which is more of a show,” Heder said. “We try to make it a more interactive, fun experience.”

What has Jon Heder been in since Napoleon Dynamite?

Heder’s increased demand as an actor following the success of “Napoleon Dynamite” led to some memorable acting experiences of his own, whether he was figure skating opposite Will Ferrell in the 2007 comedy “Blades of Glory” or doing voiceover work as the laidback surfer Chicken Joe in the “Surf’s Up” animated movies or as Pickle in the popular Disney XD animated series “Pickle and Peanut.” He can be seen starring in “Waltzing With Brando” (in theaters Sept. 19) as an architect helping the iconic actor (played by Billy Zane) build a sustainable ecological retreat in Tahiti.

While Heder has shared screen time with his fair share of actors through the years, he said he has a special bond with actors like Ramirez, Gries, and everyone else closely involved in “Napoleon Dynamite. “ This bond is what makes reuniting and hitting the road with castmates so special for not just the fans who attend.

“You’re always going to have a working relationship, but you’re not going to automatically become friends,” Heder said. “I think it helped that everybody came together and made this special thing…and now, 20 years later, when I see them, it just feels like family.”

Napoleon Dynamite Live

When: 8 p.m., Sept. 17

Where: Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St.

Tickets: $52-$87, 859-233-4567 or lexingtonoperahouse.com