Heder is riding high thanks to 'Napoleon Dynamite'

PORTLAND, Ore. — A lot has happened in the 7 and a half years since Jon Heder hit the screens in a low-budget indie film called "Napoleon Dynamite."

Then, he promoted the film at a few small theaters out of love for the project that had earned him just $1,000. Fox Searchlight Pictures gave free screenings and passed out bags of props in hopes the film would become a cult classic. (It did, grossing $46 million.)

Now, Heder has just wrapped up a five-day tour to promote Fox's new animated series of the same name. He hop scotched from Boston to Chicago to Dallas to his hometown Salem and Portland to promote the TV show, which airs at 7:30 Sundays, between "The Simpsons" and "The Family Guy."

"This is more like work," he says. "I mean, it's fun, but … you're hitting up radio stations, five in a hour. I'm a little more used to it, but it's hectic."

But hectic has its rewards. He's greeting the reporter and photographer in a very nice suite at Portland's Vintage Plaza Hotel. And those flights across the country? First class.

"First class rocks," he says. "I told myself I should not fly first class, I should get used to coach. … Most of those Hollywood luxuries I am not privy to, but man, first class is nice."

He's casually dressed in dark blue denim shirt, dark green pants and hiking boots. His wavy brown hair is a little past due for a haircut, but nothing like "Napoleon's" wild blond locks. He talks very fast and uses his hands. Asked to pose for a photo in a "menacing but flirty" posture, he plays along (and nails it).

In between the two "Napoleons," it's been an exciting ride. Heder has appeared on "Late Night With David Letterman" and hosted "Saturday Night Live." He's starred in six films, the most recent of which, "For Ellen," just opened at Sundance.

Fox may pick up the animated "Napoleon Dynamite" for a second season. And Heder hopes to appear in another feature film this summer.

"It's called 'Alive and Well.' It's about Buddy Holly," he says. "It's kind of sci fi-slash-comedy. It's a very weird movie, but it's a great script, and I hope we can get it made."

Along the way, Heder has had opportunities to pick up what both he and the fictional Napoleon refer to, reverentially, as skills.