Bio
Aaron Ruell is an American actor and photographer best known for his starring role as Kip Dynamite in the 2004 feature film Napoleon Dynamite and its subsequent animated television series, in 2012.
Ruell is an accomplished actor, commercial director and photographer. He was declared one of the most promising new directors in the world of advertising by Shoot magazine, as well as one of the emerging directors to know now by Creativity.
Ruell is best known for playing the role of Kip Dynamite in Fox Searchlight's Napoleon Dynamite. The hit comedy was nominated for a 2005 Teen Choice Award in the category of Choice Movie Rockstar Moment.
He also starred in the independent feature On The Road with Judas, which screened at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Ruell played a successful New York businessman who led a double life as a computer thief.
In 2005, he was the only filmmaker to have two films, Everything's Gone Green and Mary, premiere at Sundance.
Ruell's commercial credits are extensive and cover a wide range of styles and clients. He has directed work for NBC, Comcast, Virgin Mobile, NBA, Target and Nintendo.
As a photographer, he shot the promotional photography for Napoleon Dynamite and designed the opening title sequence to the film. His photography has been seen in nearly every major publication.
A book of his photography, titled Some Photos, and published by Nazraeli Press, was released in February 2008. He was awarded Best Advertising for his work with Citibank and Best Website in the 2007 PDN Annual.
He was also awarded Best Book in the 2009 PDN Annual. His work has been shown in galleries in Paris, Milan, Buenos Aires and Los Angeles.