After spending several years in L.A., the strapping and ever-charming Diedrich Bader finally caught his big break when director Penelope Spheeris cast him as “The Searcher”—a hilariously heroic yet clueless and accident-prone biker—in an episode of the over-the-top spoof series Danger Theatre (Fox, 1993). That role put Diedrich Bader on the map, and Spheeris wasn’t done with him yet. She went to bat for Bader again, pushing back against producers who wanted a more famous name, and landed him the dual roles of Jethro and even Jethrine in her big-screen take on the zany 1960s classic The Beverly Hillbillies (1993). This move gave Diedrich Bader even greater visibility and solidified his knack for playing lovably offbeat characters.
By 1995, Diedrich Bader had become a household name thanks to his role as Oswald on the ABC sitcom The Drew Carey Show (1995–2004). As one of Drew’s endearingly dim but loyal pals, Bader stayed with the show through all its twists, turns, and cast changes, making it to the very last season. His consistent presence made him a fan favorite, and audiences grew fond of his laid-back charm and comedic timing.
Once he became a familiar face on TV, Diedrich Bader started popping up in a string of memorable film roles. He brought his signature goofball energy to cult classics like Office Space (1999), Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), and Eurotrip (2004). But perhaps one of his most outrageously funny performances came as Rex, the wildly eccentric fitness guru in the beloved indie hit Napoleon Dynamite (2004)—a role that still has fans quoting lines today.
Alongside his live-action work, Diedrich Bader carved out a highly successful niche as a voice actor. With his rich, instantly recognizable voice, he lent his talents to a variety of animated projects. He voiced multiple characters on Disney’s Phineas and Ferb (2007–2015) and brought life to key roles in major animated films such as Ice Age (2002) and The Country Bears (2002). Over the years, Diedrich Bader continued to expand his voice repertoire with recurring roles in shows like The Penguins of Madagascar (Nickelodeon/Nicktoons, 2008– ) and Ultimate Spider-Man (Disney, 2012– ).
Diedrich Bader also returned to the big screen in live-action form, notably playing a flamboyant stylist opposite Sandra Bullock’s FBI agent Gracie Hart in Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005), the sequel to the surprise comedy hit from 2000. After focusing largely on voice acting for a stretch, Diedrich Bader made a strong comeback to prime-time television in 2016, taking on a leading role in the ABC sitcom American Housewife. There, he charmed viewers once again as the easygoing husband of series lead Katy Mixon—a role that showcased both his warmth and his impeccable comedic instincts. Through it all, Diedrich Bader has remained a versatile and enduring presence in American entertainment.
So, when it comes to Diedrich Bader’s filmography, there are definitely some highs and lows. If we’re talking about the standout in his career, Diedrich Bader’s highest rated movie is definitely Superman: Unbound from 2013—a solid animated feature that really showed off his voice acting chops. On the flip side, one project that didn’t quite land was Meet the Spartans in 2008, which ended up being Diedrich Bader’s lowest rated film. It’s just one of those comedic misfires that didn’t age too well. Still, overall, Diedrich Bader has had a pretty diverse career, with roles that range from animated superhero tales to more forgettable parody flicks.