Napoleon Dynamite (played by Jon Heder) is a protagonist in Napoleon Dynamite.
A socially awkward 16-year-old high schooler who doodles and plays tetherball. He befriends Pedro and Deb, enters an FFA competition, learns to dance, and delivers a viral impromptu routine at the student council election. He ultimately reconciles with Deb and tames a stallion for his brother's wedding. Deb (played by Tina Majorino) appears in Napoleon Dynamite.
A shy girl selling headshots and knick-knacks to fund college. She befriends Napoleon and accepts Pedro's dance invitation. Their friendship temporarily fractures due to Uncle Rico's malicious sales tactics, but they eventually reconcile and resume playing tetherball together. Uncle Rico (played by Jon Gries) appears in Napoleon Dynamite.
A delusional, former high-school athlete living in a camper van who temporarily supervises the boys. He exploits the situation for sales, spreads embarrassing rumors about Napoleon, and causes friction with Deb. He is later assaulted by Rex but eventually reconciles with his own girlfriend. Don (played by Trevor Snarr) appears in Napoleon Dynamite.
Summer (played by Haylie Duff) appears in Napoleon Dynamite.
A popular and snobby student who briefly dates Napoleon before abandoning him. She campaigns for class president against Pedro, delivering a polished presentation, but ultimately loses the election after Napoleon's unexpected dance routine wins over the student body. Trisha (played by Emily Kennard Dunn) appears in Napoleon Dynamite.
A popular classmate whom Napoleon asks to the dance. After Uncle Rico manipulates her mother into buying his products, Trisha is forced to accept his invitation. She attends the dance with him but ultimately leaves to socialize with others. LaFawnduh (played by Shondrella Avery) appears in Napoleon Dynamite.
Kip's long-distance girlfriend from Detroit who visits to finalize their relationship. She gives Kip a hip-hop makeover and gifts Napoleon a mixtape. Her music is played during Napoleon's pivotal election performance, and she eventually marries Kip. Rex (played by Diedrich Bader) appears in Napoleon Dynamite.
A martial arts instructor who interrupts Uncle Rico's inappropriate sales demonstration on his wife. He physically assaults Rico, effectively ending Rico's door-to-door sales scheme.
Napoleon Dynamite (2004) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Napoleon Dynamite
(played by Jon Heder) — protagonist
A socially awkward 16-year-old high schooler who doodles and plays tetherball. He befriends Pedro and Deb, enters an FFA competition, learns to dance, and delivers a viral impromptu routine at the stu...
Deb
(played by Tina Majorino) — supporting
A shy girl selling headshots and knick-knacks to fund college. She befriends Napoleon and accepts Pedro's dance invitation. Their friendship temporarily fractures due to Uncle Rico's malicious sales t...
Uncle Rico
(played by Jon Gries) — supporting
A delusional, former high-school athlete living in a camper van who temporarily supervises the boys. He exploits the situation for sales, spreads embarrassing rumors about Napoleon, and causes frictio...
Don
(played by Trevor Snarr) — minor
Summer
(played by Haylie Duff) — supporting
A popular and snobby student who briefly dates Napoleon before abandoning him. She campaigns for class president against Pedro, delivering a polished presentation, but ultimately loses the election af...
Trisha
(played by Emily Kennard Dunn) — supporting
A popular classmate whom Napoleon asks to the dance. After Uncle Rico manipulates her mother into buying his products, Trisha is forced to accept his invitation. She attends the dance with him but ult...
LaFawnduh
(played by Shondrella Avery) — supporting
Kip's long-distance girlfriend from Detroit who visits to finalize their relationship. She gives Kip a hip-hop makeover and gifts Napoleon a mixtape. Her music is played during Napoleon's pivotal elec...
Rex
(played by Diedrich Bader) — supporting
A martial arts instructor who interrupts Uncle Rico's inappropriate sales demonstration on his wife. He physically assaults Rico, effectively ending Rico's door-to-door sales scheme.
Grandma
(played by Sandy Martin) — supporting
Napoleon's elderly grandmother who lives with him and Kip. She injures her tailbone in a quad bike accident, prompting Uncle Rico to move in and supervise the boys. She returns home safely after the f...
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
Summer → Don
(Romantic Boyfriend)
Napoleon's election performance stuns Summer and her boyfriend, Don Moser.
Napoleon Dynamite → Trisha
(Romantic Dance Companion)
Napoleon chooses Trisha as a date, and her mother forces Trisha to accept his invitation.
Grandma → Uncle Rico
(Family Relative)
Grandma asks Uncle Rico to supervise the boys after her quad bike accident.
Napoleon Dynamite → Uncle Rico
(Family Nephew)
Uncle Rico is asked to look after Napoleon and his brother while Grandma recovers.
Napoleon Dynamite → Grandma
(Family Grandson)
Napoleon lives with his grandmother, Grandma, in Preston, Idaho.
Story Dynamics
Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.
Summer → Napoleon Dynamite
(Conflict Public Competitor)
Summer presents a polished election speech and dance skit, while Napoleon's unexpected performance later stuns her.
Uncle Rico → Rex
(Conflict Victim Of Assault)
Rex interrupts Rico while he demonstrates the breast-enhancement product and assaults him.
LaFawnduh → Napoleon Dynamite
(Alliance Supporter)
LaFawnduh gives Napoleon a mixtape, which he later gives to the sound engineer for his election performance.
Trisha → Summer
(Social Associate)
After leaving Napoleon at the dance, Trisha goes to hang out with Summer.
Uncle Rico → Deb
(Conflict Adversary)
Rico tells Deb that Napoleon suggested a breast-enhancement product, causing Deb to end her friendship with Napoleon.
Napoleon Dynamite → Deb
(Social Friend)
Napoleon becomes friends with Deb, who sells headshots and knick-knacks to fund college.
Story Analysis
An isolated teenager gradually finds friendship, confidence, and recognition while resisting the disruptive influence of his uncle.
