Jared Hess

Jared Hess

1979-07-18 Preston, Idaho, USA 30 Credits

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

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Complete Filmography

A Minecraft Movie

A Minecraft Movie

2025

as General Chungus (voice)

6.5
Acting

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

A Minecraft Movie

2025

Director

6.5
Directing

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

Standout: The Ben Kjar Story

2025

Producer

Producing

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

The Gutter

2024

Executive Producer

4.6
Producing

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

Thelma the Unicorn

2024

as Gerald (voice)

7.0
Acting

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

Thelma the Unicorn

2024

Screenplay, Director

7.0
Writing Directing

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

Ninety-Five Senses

2022

Director

7.4
Directing

A heartfelt depiction of a man facing his own mortality while reflecting on the grave mistakes of his youth.

The Unexpected Race

The Unexpected Race

2018

as Deputy

Acting

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

The Unexpected Race

2018

Producer

Producing

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

The Insufferable Groo

2018

as Self

5.0
Acting

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

The Insufferable Groo

2018

Producer

5.0
Producing

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

Tim Timmerman: Hope of America

2017

Thanks

5.1

Impeached high school president, Tim Timmerman, seeks to redeem himself and get into Yale.

Masterminds

Masterminds

2016

Director

5.8
Directing

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

Don Verdean

2015

Director, Writer, Producer

4.9
Directing Writing Producing

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

Beaver Trilogy Part IV

2015

as Himself

7.4
Acting

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

Austenland

2013

Associate Producer

6.4
Producing

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

Gentlemen Broncos

2009

Director, Writer, Executive Producer

5.7
Directing Writing Producing

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

6.0
Acting

A Jared Hess documentary

Nacho Libre

Nacho Libre

2006

Director, Writer

6.5
Directing Writing

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

On Location Napoleon Dynamite

2006

Director

6.0
Directing

A documentary of the making of the movie Napoleon Dynamite

Napoleon Dynamite

Napoleon Dynamite

2004

Screenplay, Director

6.8
Writing Directing

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

6.0
Directing

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

Pride and Prejudice

2003

as Reverend Steve Two-Trees Green

4.7
Acting

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.

The R.M.

2003

as LD3 Nerd

4.6
Acting

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

Peluca

2003

Writer, Cinematography, Director

6.2
Writing Directing

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

The Singles Ward

2002

as DJ V'dob

6.0
Acting

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

Cardboard Only

2001

Director

5.0
Directing

A seven-year-old Idaho farm boy struggles to escape boredom while wearing a cardboard box over his head.

Micronations

N/A

Director

Directing

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

Directing

The continuing adventures of former Chinese Imperial guard Chon Wang and American bandit, Roy O'Bannon.

Untitled A Minecraft Movie Sequel

N/A

Director

Directing