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double take

Stars of cult noughties comedy unrecognisable as they walk the red carpet 20 years after movie

One of their co-stars tragically passed away two years ago

A DUO from a hit noughties comedy movie looked completely unrecognisable 20 years after their flick found fame.

The actors left fans doing a double take as they hit the red carpet at the Sundance Institute in Utah this week.

A duo of noughties comedy actors left fans doing a double take as they reunited on the red carpet
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A duo of noughties comedy actors left fans doing a double take as they reunited on the red carpetCredit: Rex
Efren Ramirez, left, and Jon Heder, right, delighted fans in 2004 coming of age flick Napoleon Dynamite
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Efren Ramirez, left, and Jon Heder, right, delighted fans in 2004 coming of age flick Napoleon DynamiteCredit: Rex
They again came together at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah for a 20th anniversary screening of their movie
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They again came together at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah for a 20th anniversary screening of their movieCredit: Getty

Napoleon Dynamite's Efren Ramirez, 50, and Jon Heder, 46, teamed up for a 20th anniversary screening of the movie - looking wholly different from their characters in the 2004 coming of age film.

Jon played socially-awkward Napoleon while Efren took on the role of Pedro - a schoolchild nominated for president.

In the film, Jon sported blonde curly locks and huge square glasses.

He often donned his "vote for Pedro" shirt or formal waistcoat and suit.

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Yet at this week's celebratory event, Colorado-born Jon appeared totally different, with a darker rich brunette floppy hairstyle.

He also sported a rugged moustache and beard and finished off his effortlessly cool look with a denim jacket and patterned scarf.

Since finding film fame, he was a familiar face in TV series Woke Up Dead in 2009.

His other television appearances include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and kids show Ben 10: Omniverse.

Meanwhile Efren still sports a moustache yet now opts for a trendy sleek hairstyle and black round-rimmed glasses.

The Crank and Due Justice star looked sharp in a blue blazer paired with dark trousers.

He finished off with a grey scarf wrapped over his shoulders as he struck a pose with Jon on the red carpet.

So far, their 20 year old movie has grossed £31million in America.

Meanwhile, their Napoleon Dynamite co-star, actor Dale Critchlow, passed away in 2022, aged 92.

He famously played Farmer Lyle in the hit flick.

Dad of four Dale died in Idaho Falls, Idaho, at the MorningStar Senior Living facility yet had previously opened up to  to discuss how he nabbed the Napoleon Dynamite role.

Dale said at the time of the interview: “My wife called Jared Hess’ mother and asked if one of her boys was there.”

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The movie star added: “He came over, and he had a friend with him. I drove the truck out into the pasture, and the sheep came over.

"They grabbed those bucks and pushed them into the truck … and we got them out of there."

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The duo looked completely different from their geeky appearance in Napoleon Dynamite
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The duo looked completely different from their geeky appearance in Napoleon DynamiteCredit: Rex
They cut cool figures in their outfits, with Jon sporting a stylish denim jacket
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They cut cool figures in their outfits, with Jon sporting a stylish denim jacketCredit: Rex
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