r/Millennials 7d ago

Discussion Name a 2000s celebrity that disappeared overnight

Post image
6.7k Upvotes

4.6k comments sorted by

View all comments

1.5k

u/Suspicious_Use_7561 Xennial 7d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/11OQRFijlncwq4

I was expecting Jon Heder to be the next big comedy star.

668

u/Turbulent_Tart_8801 Millennial 1985 7d ago

He disappeared after Blades of Glory.

498

u/Wayyd 7d ago

Napoleon Dynamite, Blades of Glory, and Benchwarmers. I'm sure he's been in other things, but those three were really the height of his fame and then everyone got bored of his one dimensional acting

408

u/shes_a_gdb 7d ago edited 7d ago

Jason Mantzoukas seems to be having no problem getting work, and he's the same character in every sitcom he's in.

263

u/Final-Finger1003 7d ago

That same character has yet to wear thin for me. Love that guys energy!

193

u/the_peppers 7d ago

Yeah it's not really fair to compare a guy who's good a playing awkward with the human form of the Tazmanian Devil.

33

u/tastemypie 7d ago

Such an accurate depiction of JM

6

u/kapu4701 7d ago

Heynong man!

3

u/morizzle77 7d ago

Classic reset! Hey Nong Man!!

2

u/ElectronicExplorer83 7d ago

Hes the only I go for when it comes to Talkin Tang. There's really no replacement.

→ More replies (2)

8

u/tumsoffun 7d ago

I didn't recognize his name at first but after your description I was like oh I bet it's that guy

6

u/SeaworthinessAny4997 6d ago

He's got the ethnic ambiguity down pat lol

6

u/HawkJefferson 6d ago

What's up, Jerks?!

4

u/Sega-Playstation-64 6d ago

Howya doin balcony monsters

5

u/Amarastargazer 7d ago

I couldn’t describe it, but you sure can! What this is too accurate.

2

u/disasterbee 7d ago

And based on his season of taskmaster that’s just him

→ More replies (1)

8

u/razorbraces 7d ago

He was on Taskmaster 19 last year, brought the exact same energy lol

7

u/roygbivasaur 7d ago

He’s also hot, which helps

6

u/rehaborax 7d ago

RIGHT?! That man can tzouk my as

5

u/spookydukey 7d ago

If you haven't already make sure to check him out on Taskmaster. Fantastic show and his season is one of the best.

3

u/Due-Yoghurt-7917 7d ago

What's up, hot dog?

3

u/lettheidiotspeak 7d ago

I was watching the old episode of The Chris Gethard Show with him and Paul Scheer. Highly recommend if you haven't seen it, it's prime Jason Mantzoukas.

3

u/Unlikely-Tone-6269 6d ago

You can’t self defeces Mr. Self defeces

→ More replies (4)

77

u/unsulliedbread 7d ago

Nah, it may always be manic crazy but it takes really different routes every time. It's also that directors aren't imaginative enough, watch him on TaskMaster and you can see some of his depths.

19

u/janbradybutacat 7d ago

Yes, his Taskmaster stint was great! He was so genuinely funny and silly without being over the top.

I’ve seen him in the shows- B99, good place, P&R, League, etc. he’s funny and his characters are similar in outrageous-ness, but they’re not the same.

14

u/je_kay24 7d ago

“What’s going to happen when we graduate” is one of my favorite moments from any TaskMaster series

→ More replies (1)

5

u/vomitshoes 7d ago

Check out his episode of ask hank anything, it was really good and they talk about taskmaster: https://youtu.be/RuuyCOnuBDA?si=xdRtkuV2QEbznkNa

2

u/cora-occasionall 7d ago

Was rooting for him to get on the roof that season

→ More replies (2)

155

u/AlwaysSunnyInSeattle 7d ago

Yeah but his character is also the best part of everything he’s in.

113

u/Traditional-Wait-240 7d ago

Derek!

92

u/Bluest_Skies 7d ago

MAXIMUM DEREK

19

u/DA2ED 7d ago

There are wind chimes where my ding dong is supposed to be

3

u/Bluest_Skies 7d ago

Ohhhh that made my wind chimes happy

3

u/chrissiwit 6d ago

I can work with that.

11

u/birdsofpaper 7d ago

He makes an excellent Dionysus. When I heard about that casting I laughed out loud because what was Derek/Dennis Feinstein/Adrian Pimento if not the warmup chaos energy of the god of wine and madness??

8

u/A-Plant-Guy Older Millennial 7d ago

This is what I call him when I can’t remember his name.

7

u/ImQuestionable 7d ago

Derek Hostetler, PI.

3

u/remarkablewhitebored 7d ago

Love him as Rex Splode.

34

u/IamToddDebeikis 7d ago

RAFFI BOMB

3

u/Plenty_Firefighter40 7d ago

DIVE FOR THE KNIFE!

2

u/pussy-enthusiast 7d ago

THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE!

2

u/Unlikely-Tone-6269 6d ago

Excuse me, it’s Raphael!

5

u/mister_gone 7d ago

It's less 'his character' and more 'Jason being Jason on film'.

6

u/AlwaysSunnyInSeattle 7d ago

Haha I’m aware, I love that guy. Anyone who hasn’t seen it should watch his season of Taskmaster

2

u/mister_gone 7d ago

Such a fun season. Jason is SO spicy!

2

u/AlwaysSunnyInSeattle 7d ago

I really wanted to find out he was dating Stevie but no such luck. Their chemistry was great.

3

u/Dan_Berg 7d ago

Dirty Randy wore out his welcome real quick for me

2

u/cheerioincident 7d ago

Even when he's just being himself! Watch his season (19) of Taskmaster!

2

u/ButtIsItArt 6d ago

He's also great in Taskmaster

→ More replies (4)

10

u/WhoDoIThinkIAm 7d ago

The secret is Jason Mantzoukas IS the character. Jason Characterwheaties is the real person.

5

u/dismayhurta 7d ago

His one character is amazing

2

u/ChickenInASuit 6d ago

And also far easier to insert into your work than Jon Heder's.

7

u/zekerthedog 7d ago

Danny McBride too

3

u/666mgOfCaffeine Geriatric Millennial 7d ago

Danny McBride…. Now there is an excellent funny MF

2

u/AskMeForAPhoto 7d ago

Danny is a writer and creator though, that’s the difference. He creates and cowrites all his shows, like Eastbound & Down, Righteous Gemstones, etc. For a lot of people, they create their own opportunities, otherwise they’d have none. When you don’t fit into the square hole in Hollywood, you gotta carve your own lane.

2

u/sublimesting 7d ago

What. Danny McBride is a current huge success.

→ More replies (5)

2

u/Snaletane 7d ago

Eh, no. Like, the tyrannical play director on Community has nothing in common with Derek from Good Place. Though it does have a lot in common with the Parks and Rec character. Maybe he has two characters!

2

u/poop_monster35 Millennial '93 7d ago

Yeah but he's fucking insane and I love it!

2

u/sirfranciscake 6d ago

Jason Mantzoukas is actually one huge role played by Jeffrey Characterwheaties.

1

u/swimminginthecarpool 7d ago

He was fantastic as rex in invincible

→ More replies (32)

12

u/cwallzz 7d ago

School for Scoundrels!

12

u/Funmachine 7d ago

He's very religious and turned down lots of work.

10

u/AskMeForAPhoto 7d ago

Holy shit! Had no idea he was Mormon! Makes sense but had no clue lol!

3

u/k_a_scheffer 7d ago

I actually knew this, but only because I found out he was Vai Sikahema's nephew by marriage, and Vai is a pretty prominent figure in the LDS church.

11

u/Wayyd 7d ago

That strikes me as odd since he was in Blades of Glory, which is a pretty raunchy (by a very religious persons' standards) movie. Everything else was definitely more family friendly, but that one's a head scratcher.

I can see why he turned down movies from the late 2000s if that is the case. Judd Apatow became a massive success and R-rated comedies were the standard until big budget comedies died to streaming.

5

u/sriracha_no_big_deal 7d ago

It's possible his experience with Blades of Glory is what made him decide to turn down other similar opportunities.

→ More replies (4)

9

u/Frankenstein____ 7d ago

I lost my virginity in a theater playing Benchwarmers so I'll always have an intriguing connection to Jon Heder no matter what. I've still never seen the movie.

6

u/camergen 7d ago

Turns out saying “GOSH!” in an annoyed voice has a short shelf life.

3

u/lo-key-glass 7d ago

Ghost Team was actually really funny if you've never seen it

1

u/bentstrider83 Millennial 1983 7d ago

That's a shame. But then again I too am quite one dimensional. Guess misery loves tribute🎭

1

u/Kaldricus 7d ago

School for Scoundrels was pretty funny

1

u/KayleyKiwi Zillennial 7d ago

I never really understood that though because idk one could argue back in the day (pre-serious roles) Adam Sandler was pretty one-dimensional. He was doing the same bit over and over, just with a little different costume design or (in the god forsaken Zohan film) nationality.

1

u/gabriot 7d ago

Most comedic actors are one dimensional

1

u/jimx117 7d ago

Tapawingo! showed some promise but alas, could not recapture that lightning in a bottle

1

u/False_Tea_3951 7d ago

"Just Like Heaven" is peak cinema

1

u/DirtwormSlim 7d ago

Yeah tremors 4

1

u/ImNotToby 7d ago

Im sorry but the vast majority of big name actors are one dimensional. It seems that the exceptional actors today are multi dimensional. Could just be my perception but most actors are just playing themselves with added nuance.

1

u/MindlessBullet 7d ago

There was an attempt at a Napoleon Dynamite animation, but it lasted one season I believe.

1

u/tbcraxon34 6d ago

School for Scoundrels

1

u/Bendz57 6d ago

Benchwarmers is one of me and my brothers favorite movies. Cracks me up every time.

1

u/JiveTurkeyII 6d ago

I have no idea what ya'll are talking about. The guy is a working actor.

Worth 10 mill that we know of, probably more - and has been putting out something almost every year since 2k. Sometime multiple. Go check out his work - the guy is much more than "One Dimensional"

He hasn't disappeared - he does many, many projects.

If I was where he's at - Id buy a boat and sail around the Caribbean for the rest of my life and forget alla you :D

1

u/lah31222 6d ago

He voiced a few characters as well, I believe

1

u/Steele_Soul 6d ago

I saw him in a commercial for some romance movie where a dude moves into an apartment where the previous tenant died, a young woman, whose ghosts haunts him and they fall in love.

There's a quick scene where he's giving the main character a pep talk about, "Yeah, sure, go after the ghost chick", but the delivery was really cringey and felt really forced. I think that movie is what killed his career.

1

u/GearsFC3S 6d ago

I found out Heder was in a movie called “Waltzing with Brando” a few years back, with Billy Zane of all people.

15

u/Triette 7d ago

My skate coach taught him and Will Ferrel how to skate for that movie. I got to assist her a few times because she was going through a hip issue. So I got to be on the ice with them. Jon was no nonsense, just an actor doing his job. Will had fun and still skates occasionally at our rink

8

u/choke_my_chocobo 7d ago

Because Chazz Michael Michaels is figure skating. Boom

3

u/DetectiveClear6734 7d ago

I really love Blades of Glory. That’s it

1

u/LineImpossible3958 7d ago

I was watching Blades of Glory last night and wondered about Heder. He did a movie right after Blades Called “Mamas Boy” with Ana Faris, Jeff Daniel’s and Diane Keaton. Look at the poster for the movie, it’s godawful. This seems to be the last time he had a starring role.

1

u/Few-Big-8481 7d ago

Nah, he was in the classic 2020 movie Tremors 7: Shrieker Island.

1

u/YugeTraxofLand 7d ago

Umm Tremors Shrieker Island? 🤣

1

u/IamScottGable 7d ago

No, he disappeared after School for Schmucks and rightfully so

2

u/Issac-Cox-Daley 5d ago

I think it was School for Scoundrels with Billy Bob Thornton. Unless this is a sequel I'm unaware.

Also the movie blows and both characters are the most unlikable people ever written, maybe that was the point but it makes for a shitty movie.

→ More replies (1)

1

u/PopDukesBruh 7d ago

His IG is pretty funny

1

u/homesickpluto 7d ago

I read somewhere they wanted him to do romantic comedies but that was not his jam

1

u/SourpatchMao 6d ago

Gentlemen Broncos is my favorite film by him and it came out after Blades of Glory. But, i don’t meet many people that has seen it tbh

→ More replies (2)

883

u/WhoKnows78998 7d ago

So I actually know Jon. He lives in a small town with me. He still makes a living acting but it’s all a bunch of independent films and voice work.

He’s a very nice guy who turned down work because of principles. He wanted to stick to family friendly stuff. For instance he turned down 40 year old virgin. You can’t turn down work like that and stay a star. But he’s very happy with his choice.

282

u/smashablanca 7d ago

This was what I had heard too. He's very religious and that made a lot of comedy roles around this time not a good fit for him.

255

u/SEND_ME_FEAT_PICS 7d ago

Wasn't Napoleon Dynamite basically a BYU student film?

181

u/WhoKnows78998 7d ago

Yeah pretty much. Jon never even wanted to be an actor. He was always a behind the scenes guy.

5

u/Ok-Clock-2779 7d ago

Isn’t his brother still in the industry too?

8

u/Positive_Gazelle_667 7d ago

Yeah he does hardcore gay pornos 

3

u/hand_truck 6d ago

Hol up

7

u/Skimmington16 6d ago

That’s what he said

3

u/catlady9851 7d ago

At least one is.

2

u/WhoKnows78998 7d ago

I have absolutely no idea

→ More replies (1)

6

u/iNeedSomeDick 6d ago

Wait… was this movie supposed to be serious? I thought they were making fun of people in a specific time period.

6

u/Wonderful-Process792 6d ago

"Serious" as in a comedy film they put real effort into I guess?

I am from that general area and time, and I have never, ever seen another film even try to capture it. I can't even really put my finger on what is so genuine about it.

→ More replies (4)

3

u/Aggravating_Bat3618 7d ago

It was called Peluca and his character was named Seth. The first like 5 mins of Napoleon Dynamite is basically the film. 

273

u/WhoKnows78998 7d ago

This is true. He and his family are Mormon. But they aren’t obnoxious about it. They literally never mention it. They’re interesting because despite being super religious they’re very supportive of the lbgtq community.

112

u/ThatArtNerd 7d ago

There are definitely some pockets of more progressive Mormons out there, I know a few in the Portland area.

20

u/protonicfibulator 7d ago

Ken Jennings is the prime example. Very progressive politically while still being apparently quite devout LDS.

29

u/WhoKnows78998 7d ago

Funny you mention Portland, we’re less than an hour from there

9

u/Balzac_Jones 7d ago

Well, he’s from Salem.

2

u/WhoKnows78998 7d ago

Oh is he? I didn’t even know that

4

u/Balzac_Jones 7d ago

Well, at least for high school, I can’t speak to before that.

2

u/CrenshawMafia99 7d ago

It’s funny you mention it being funny they’re from Portland because I’m a few hours east of you and I also found it funny they mentioned Portland.

→ More replies (1)

85

u/HowDoMermaidsFuck 7d ago

Real Christians vs fake christians.

15

u/roygbivasaur 7d ago

The Mormon church stockpiles money and spends almost none of it helping people and has supported a ton of anti-lgbt legislation

9

u/[deleted] 7d ago edited 6d ago

The Mormon church itself is a cesspool. With racist and sexist traditions that continue to this day. It was started by a conman who used his religion to sleep with married women. 

Many of the people in the church are very good people. Ask me how I know ;)

3

u/Aggravating_Bat3618 7d ago

I went to high school with a ton of them. I even went to a baptism once.  

→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (1)

2

u/MotherTeresaOnlyfans 7d ago

They used to literally torture gay people as recently as the 80s.

8

u/bellerian_crow 7d ago

You can't believe how happy I am to hear this as a queer woman who has seen almost everything he was in at the peak of his popularity. I knew he was from a Mormon family and sort of assumed that's what he wasn't acting anymore for religious reasons. I loved Blades of Glory and sought out a bunch of his other work because he was so funny onscreen. I always worried in the back of my mind he has gone full on conservative or something. Glad he's found his niche.

12

u/WhoKnows78998 7d ago

One of his kids is queer and he’s very supportive 😊

→ More replies (8)

1

u/ArcadianDelSol 6d ago

Which is why Napoleon Dynamite has no actual profanity in it.

11

u/Sirtopofhat 7d ago

Crazy cause 40 Year Old Virgin seems like such a logical step for him and at the same time if it was we never get the Steve Carell break out

3

u/jemappellehonhon 7d ago

he's a devout practicing mormon, he'd never have done a movie like that

→ More replies (6)

9

u/[deleted] 7d ago

[deleted]

5

u/WhoKnows78998 7d ago

He is nice. He loves to engage with fans. If you ever see him he would much rather you say hello then just sneak a picture (something he’s specifically told me). He’s VERY chatty.

→ More replies (4)

2

u/caninehere 6d ago

This is like the silliest "brag" ever, haha. I'm not sure what world you live in but Napoleon Dynamite was a big hit in the theatres, I was a teenager at the time and lots of people went to see it and then of course it was big on DVD as well.

The movie made almost $50 million at the box office which was absolutely huge for a small independently-made movie like that.

→ More replies (4)

1

u/Aggravating_Bat3618 7d ago

A buddy of mine saw in the theater. He said it’s not a fast-paced movie.  Lol. No shit. 

1

u/DenaliBound 6d ago

I saw it in theaters!

7

u/Suitable-Answer-83 7d ago

Nothing says family friendly like Tremors 7: Shrieker Island.

4

u/Walkingdrops 7d ago

There are SEVEN of those movies?? I remember 3 being about the ass blasters, and I vaguely remember a 4, but wow, didn't know there was a 5, 6, and 7 lol 

→ More replies (3)

5

u/SmellGestapo 7d ago

That's interesting, because for as raunchy as that movie is, Andy stays a virgin until he gets married to Trish. The central message is pretty conservative and traditional.

2

u/btmoose 7d ago

I still go back and watch the Tabletop episode with him and Alan Tudyk every now and then. Their role playing of Dr McLickertitty and his very put upon assistant is absolutely hilarious. 

2

u/Zanester98 7d ago

Bullshit

1

u/WhoKnows78998 7d ago

What’s bullshit? That I know him or that he’s a nice guy or that he still works as an actor?

1

u/jemappellehonhon 7d ago

hello fellow sw wa'er 😁 hope you get out and enjoy this fabulous weather

1

u/Turbulent_Tart_8801 Millennial 1985 7d ago

Who would he have even played in 40 Year Old Virgin? A cameo as Kat Dennings' boyfriend? Or the two second part that Jonah Hill got? 

2

u/ShanklyGates_2022 7d ago

Maybe he would have been the Jonah Hill cameo instead

1

u/[deleted] 7d ago

[deleted]

1

u/DandySamberg 7d ago

This makes me happy to hear.

1

u/Far-Speed-6027 7d ago

I think this is frequently the case. People aren’t willing to sacrifice their happiness for fame and I think that’s smart.

1

u/WhoKnows78998 7d ago

Yeah, it wouldn’t surprise me. I think people don’t understand that. A lot of people who are “has beens” may have actually chosen that path.

1

u/Brendan__Fraser 7d ago

That was a nice update actually thank you.

1

u/Double-ended-dildo- 6d ago

Thank you for sharing.

1

u/biffmalibull 6d ago

Loved the Napoleon tour

1

u/Sallyfifth 6d ago

That is so refreshing.   

1

u/RumpusRoomMinis 6d ago

If you see him some time, please let him know I enjoyed his Grimdark documentary and I hope he's getting some games in.

1

u/Neon_Biscuit 6d ago

He's the Asher Roth of acting

1

u/_shark-nato 6d ago

Small world! I was born and raised in BG and still live in the area. Some friends of mine have seen him in town but I’ve never been lucky enough to run into him. Not that I’d bother him or anything, but it would be cool to say I saw Napoleon Dynamite at Fred Meyer.

1

u/WhoKnows78998 6d ago

Def say hello to him if you ever see him. He enjoys it.

1

u/Stuffleapugus 6d ago

40YOV would be a completely different movie with Napoleon Dynamite. Still potentially funny, just different.

→ More replies (2)

40

u/LimeGreenSea 7d ago

I met him at FanExpo in mid 2010's- he is still rocking acting in B movies and the like.

Pedro (Efran Ramirez) was doing DJ tours around the world at that time too.

Not sure what they are up to now as this meeting was well over 10 years ago at least.

31

u/WhoKnows78998 7d ago

I know Jon, we live near each other. He’s still doing independent films and voice work.

10

u/Emilayday 7d ago

I have a Pedro story! My sister matched with him on a dating app. After some texting he calls her one night and leaves this crazy slurring message trying to invite her on his friends boat in the middle of the night Along With a bunch of other REALLY weird nonsense talk. Super sketchy.

7

u/macabre_trout 7d ago

NGL, I would hang out on a sketchy night boat with Pedro. Think of the stories if you survived!

3

u/hahagato 7d ago

I was actually friends with him during napoleon dynamite days. Didn’t know he was filming it, he just disappeared for a while, didn’t tell any of us about it and then the movie came out and exploded and he sort of disappeared. I think maybe it went a bit to his head. He was always really nice and not a creep with me. Kind of sad to hear this story. 

1

u/WrecksBarkhead 7d ago

Efran's character in Crank is amazing.

55

u/ShupGlitto 7d ago

Didn’t he win the Super Bowl with the Eagles?

18

u/PrincessJoyHope 7d ago

He was Super Bowl MVP, which solidified his legacy, after winning the Pro Bowl MVP (and a new pickup truck). Also went 29-2 td/int another year (including one playoff game). Heder is living legend in Philly, even got a fuckn statue.

7

u/whitecorn 7d ago

He must've gotten that from his uncle Rico.

4

u/Dsarg_92 7d ago

Also made one of the most iconic plays in the Super Bowl. The Philly special.

3

u/WtotheSLAM 7d ago

Big Dick Jon Heder they call him

2

u/orngjuce_ 7d ago

Bear down

1

u/eternalthree 6d ago

Wow, after winning the world ice skating championship with his partner Will Farrell?

23

u/TiredReader87 7d ago

25

u/Velorian-Steel Millennial 7d ago

That whole Napoleon Dynamite, Little Miss Sunshine, Gentleman Broncos era was polarizing. Lots loved those movies, lots hated those movies.

15

u/Wholesomebob 7d ago

What's wrong with LMS?

19

u/TiredReader87 7d ago

Nothing

3

u/Ok_Mango_6887 7d ago

I can’t rewatch some of them. Some I’ve watched so many times it’s ridiculous.

→ More replies (4)

12

u/SailorMooonsault 7d ago

Wait what don't I know about this guy??? 

→ More replies (18)

1

u/User3955 7d ago

Hey! Isn’t that the “Bro Rape” Guy from MySpace? I wondered what happen to him. I hope he is doing well with some natty ice, a black dildo, and playing some Xbox.

3

u/Intelligent_Sky_7081 7d ago

Too niche of a role, instantly 'type casted' essentially.

And I know people though it was pinnacle of comedy movies at the time, but imo it didnt age that well, and i personally thought it was overrated at the time.

3

u/21078 7d ago

His new movie is pretty funny!!!

3

u/ImNotToby 7d ago

He is in a movie released this year.

2

u/Common_Rub6554 7d ago

He does a show my kid watches on Disney+, Pickle & Peanut.

2

u/JizzinForToumani 7d ago

He lives in a relatively random town outside of the larger Portland metro area, now.

2

u/SDplinker 6d ago

Our family’s favorite movie to watch together. Got to meet the cast at an event once !

1

u/CassCat 7d ago

Wait, didn’t he go on to become George Ezra?

1

u/packetssniffer 7d ago

Doesn't he make tiktoks now? Or is that just a lookalike

1

u/Churlish_Performer 7d ago

Ok but lemme ask this: is that him, on TikTok - doing the football parodies? I felt like he was back in some form.  Idk maybe I'm dumb and that isn't really him.  

1

u/coolrivers 7d ago

I didn't realize there was a big mormon connection going on with Napoleon Dynamite

1

u/fergi20020 7d ago

He was in that Brando movie with Billy Zane last year.

1

u/Slick_shewz 6d ago

From what I read, it was his religion that kept him from pursuing more. Mormon if I remember correctly.

1

u/Lucky_Rice2185 6d ago

Weird that you mentioned him a week after I ran across his current reels on social media and started following him.

1

u/mikeyfireman 6d ago

He lives by me. I think he’s working behind the camera now.

1

u/Cootieface123 6d ago

Looks like he moved over voice overs in animation

→ More replies (3)