Napoleon Dynamite actor hosting event in eastern Idaho shares why he loves Uncle Rico

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IDAHO FALLS – Jon Gries loves Idaho and he’s excited to return for an upcoming event on the eastern side of the state.

The 66-year-old California man is an actor best known for his role as Uncle Rico in “Napoleon Dynamite.” He’s joining two of his cast mates, Jon Heder (Napoleon) and Efren Ramirez (Pedro) for a 20th anniversary celebration of the film at the Colonial Theater in downtown Idaho Falls on Nov. 18. Click here to learn more.

The 2004 indie movie is a “special film” to many people. One of the reasons for that, Gries says, is because it’s such an “inclusive, positive experience.”

“I had many actor friends when it first came out call me and say, ‘I’ve never been able to sit with my kids and watch anything. They either hate what I’m watching or I hate what they’re watching,'” Gries tells EastIdahoNews.com. “This is the first movie we were able to come together and watch and I think a lot of people share that experience.”

The film is beloved for locals in particular because it was filmed in Preston.

While Gries has no familial ties to eastern Idaho or the Gem State, he’s spent a lot of time here and enjoys visiting as often he can.

“I was in a show called ‘The Pretender’ on NBC (in the 90s). I had some downtime and I rented a car and drove around the country. I spent a good amount of time in Idaho. I loved Idaho Falls,” Gries says.

One of his old girlfriends lives in Hope up in the panhandle, and Gries had a major role in a movie called “Twin Falls Idaho” more than two decades ago.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

LISTEN TO OUR INTERVIEW WITH GRIES IN THE VIDEO ABOVE.

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