Derek Aaron Ruell (born June 23, 1976) is an American director, photographer and actor. He is most recognized for his performance as Kip Dynamite in the indie movie ''

Napoleon Dynamite ''Napoleon Dynamite'' is a 2004 American Independent film, independent Coming-of-age story, coming-of-age comedy film produced by Jeremy Coon, Chris Wyatt (producer), Chris Wyatt and Sean C. Covel (producer), Sean Covel, written by Jared and J ...

''.

Early life and education

Ruell was born in

Fresno, California Fresno (; ) is a city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County, California, Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley (California), Central Valley region. It covers a ...

and raised in a

Mormon Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism, the principal branch of the Latter Day Saint movement started by Joseph Smith in upstate New York during the 1820s. After Smith's death in 1844, the movement split into several ...

family in the nearby town of

Clovis Clovis may refer to: People * Clovis (given name), the early medieval (Frankish) form of the name Louis ** Clovis I (c. 466 – 511), the first king of the Franks to unite all the Frankish tribes under one ruler ** Clovis II (c. 634 – c. 657), ...

. After graduation from

Clovis West High School Clovis West High School (CWHS) is a co-educational, public high school part of the Clovis Unified School District in the well-established suburban community in northeast Fresno, California. It was founded in 1976, and has grades 9–12. Clovis W ...

, Ruell studied film at

Brigham Young University Brigham Young University (BYU) is a Private education, private research university in Provo, Utah, United States. It was founded in 1875 by religious leader Brigham Young and is the flagship university of the Church Educational System sponsore ...

Career

Director

Ruell is an accomplished commercial director and photographer. As a director he is represented by Sanctuary in Los Angeles. He was declared one of the most promising new directors in the world of advertising by ''Shoot'' magazine in 2009, and "one of the emerging directors to know now" by ''

Creativity Creativity is the ability to form novel and valuable Idea, ideas or works using one's imagination. Products of creativity may be intangible (e.g. an idea, scientific theory, Literature, literary work, musical composition, or joke), or a physica ...

''. He has directed commercials for clients such as T-Mobile, Nintendo, Coke, and

Burger King Burger King Corporation (BK, stylized in all caps) is an American multinational chain store, chain of hamburger fast food restaurants. Headquartered in Miami-Dade County, Florida, the company was founded in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacks ...

. He was the only filmmaker to have two films, ''Everything's Gone Green'' and ''Mary'', which he wrote and directed, premiere at the 2005

Sundance Film Festival The Sundance Film Festival is an annual film festival organized by the Sundance Institute. It is the largest independent film festival in the United States, with 423,234 combined in-person and online viewership in 2023. The festival has acted ...

Actor

Ruell is best known for playing the role of Kipland Dynamite in the movie ''Napoleon Dynamite''. In 2007, he starred in '' On the Road with Judas,'' which premiered in the Dramatic Competition section of the

2007 Sundance Film Festival The 2007 Sundance Film Festival ran from January 18 until January 28, 2007, in Park City, Utah with screenings in Salt Lake City, Utah and Ogden, Utah. It was the 23-rd iteration of the Sundance Film Festival. The opening night film was '' Chica ...

. Ruell played a successful New York businessman who led a double life as a computer thief.

Personal life

Ruell and his wife, Julia Yuka Ruell, were at one time members of the Los Angeles Latebirds, an official

Moped Army The Moped Army is an organization of moped enthusiasts centered on the organization's website, which serves as a catalyst for the spread of moped culture and the organization of moped-related events throughout the US and Canada. About Founded ...

branch. They currently reside in

Portland, Oregon Portland ( ) is the List of cities in Oregon, most populous city in the U.S. state of Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest region. Situated close to northwest Oregon at the confluence of the Willamette River, Willamette and Columbia River, ...

after having resided in

Pasadena, California Pasadena ( ) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is the most populous city and the primary cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley. Old Pasadena is the city's original commerci ...

Filmography

Awards and nominations

Teen Choice Awards The Teen Choice Awards were an annual awards show that aired on the Fox television network between 1999 and 2019. The awards, based on a popularity vote that could be overridden by the producerswho reserved the right to choose the winnerscovered ...

*2005: Nominated, "Choice Movie Rockstar Moment" - ''Napoleon Dynamite''

References

External links

*
Aaron Ruell's photography siteAaron Ruell's commercialsAaron Ruell's BookInterview with Aaron Ruell
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ruell, Aaron American male film actors Latter Day Saints from California Male actors from Fresno, California Brigham Young University alumni Living people People from Clovis, California People from Fresno, California 21st-century American male actors 1976 births