Biography
Jared Lawrence Hess (born July 18, 1979) is an American filmmaker known for his work Napoleon Dynamite (2004), A Minecraft Movie (2025) and Nacho Libre (2006), which he co-wrote and directed with his wife, Jerusha Hess. (Nacho Libre was co-written with Mike White). He also produced the video for The Postal Service's third single, "We Will Become Silhouettes" and The Killers' Christmas single, "Boots".
Known For
Complete Filmography
A Minecraft Movie
2025
as General Chungus (voice)
Four misfits find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre...
A Minecraft Movie
2025
Director
Four misfits find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre...
Standout: The Ben Kjar Story
2025
Producer
Standout tells the powerful story of Ben Kjar, born with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare craniofacial disorder. From birth, doctors warn that his life will b...
The Gutter
2024
Executive Producer
Walt (lover of threesomes, hater of shirts) strikes up an unlikely friendship with a former Pro Bowler as they discover he might be THE GOAT of the la...
Thelma the Unicorn
2024
as Gerald (voice)
Thelma dreams of being a glamorous unicorn. Then in a rare pink and glitter-filled moment of fate, Thelma's wish comes true. She rises to instant inte...
Thelma the Unicorn
2024
Screenplay, Director
Thelma dreams of being a glamorous unicorn. Then in a rare pink and glitter-filled moment of fate, Thelma's wish comes true. She rises to instant inte...
Ninety-Five Senses
2022
Director
A heartfelt depiction of a man facing his own mortality while reflecting on the grave mistakes of his youth.
The Unexpected Race
2018
as Deputy
A young woman named Amber is sent to live with her father who she hasn't seen in over 10 years after suffering a car accident that takes the life of h...
The Unexpected Race
2018
Producer
A young woman named Amber is sent to live with her father who she hasn't seen in over 10 years after suffering a car accident that takes the life of h...
The Insufferable Groo
2018
as Self
Having made nearly 200 low-budget movies in just two decades, Utah writer-director Stephen Groo is now seeking production funds and the involvement of...
The Insufferable Groo
2018
Producer
Having made nearly 200 low-budget movies in just two decades, Utah writer-director Stephen Groo is now seeking production funds and the involvement of...
Tim Timmerman: Hope of America
2017
Thanks
Impeached high school president, Tim Timmerman, seeks to redeem himself and get into Yale.
Masterminds
2016
Director
A night guard at an armored car company in the Southern U.S. organizes one of the biggest bank heists in American history.
Don Verdean
2015
Director, Writer, Producer
Biblical archaeologist Don Verdean is hired by a local church pastor to find faith-promoting relics in the Holy Land. But after a fruitless expedition...
Beaver Trilogy Part IV
2015
as Himself
A chance meeting in a parking lot in 1979 between filmmaker Trent Harris and a young man from Beaver, Utah inspired the creation of an underground fil...
Austenland
2013
Associate Producer
Obsessed with the BBC production of "Pride and Prejudice", a woman travels to a Jane Austen theme park in search for her perfect gentleman.
Gentlemen Broncos
2009
Director, Writer, Executive Producer
A teenager attends a fantasy writers' convention where he discovers his idea has been stolen by an established novelist.
World Premiere - Jared Hess: A Non-Linear Look at the Director of Napoleon Dynamite
2006
as Self
A Jared Hess documentary
Nacho Libre
2006
Director, Writer
Ignacio, a disrespected cook at a Mexican monastery, can barely afford to feed the orphans who live there. Inspired by a local wrestling hero, he deci...
On Location Napoleon Dynamite
2006
Director
A documentary of the making of the movie Napoleon Dynamite
Napoleon Dynamite
2004
Screenplay, Director
A listless and alienated teenager decides to help his new friend win the class presidency in their small western high school, while he must deal with ...
Winner Take Steve
2004
Director
Nike asked us to shoot a short film as part of the “you’re faster than you think” campaign. “Winner Take Steve” was selected for SIFF, ResFest, Slamda...
Pride and Prejudice
2003
as Reverend Steve Two-Trees Green
Elizabeth Bennet is a hard-working, intelligent college student who won't even think about marriage until she graduates. But when she meets Jack Wickh...
The R.M.
2003
as LD3 Nerd
Jared Phelps (Kirby Heyborne) has completed two years of full-time missionary service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His mission...
Peluca
2003
Writer, Cinematography, Director
The short film that Napoleon Dynamite was based on shows a day in the life of Seth, supernerd extraordinaire, rocking the megalopolis of Preston, Idah...
The Singles Ward
2002
as DJ V'dob
When Jonathan Jordan gets divorced he's thrust back into the world of being a single Mormon - a world who's ultimate goal is eternal marriage. Struggl...
Cardboard Only
2001
Director
A seven-year-old Idaho farm boy struggles to escape boredom while wearing a cardboard box over his head.
Micronations
N/A
Director
A misfit living amongst neighborhoods and homes that have declared themselves sovereign nations, is recruited to wage a battle against the nation of W...
Shanghai Dawn
N/A
Director
The continuing adventures of former Chinese Imperial guard Chon Wang and American bandit, Roy O'Bannon.
Untitled A Minecraft Movie Sequel
N/A
Director