He shared the screen with A-lister Ryan Reynolds and appeared as an extra on The Big Bang Theory.
But despite appearing in dozens of hit movies on the big screen since making his mark in Hollywood in the early 2000s, actor Jesse Heiman, 44, is still not a household name — dubbed “The World’s Greatest Extra.”
With over 100 acting credits to his name, Heiman has played several background characters in movies starring Jason Biggs, Ryan Reynolds, and Toby Maguire, and often plays the role of a high school student.
He’s appeared in The Big Bang Theory and Arrested Development, among others – he even kissed supermodel Bar Refaeli in the infamous GoDaddy Super Bowl commercial, Unilad reported.
We take a look at some of the extras’ most famous roles… but do you recognize him?
Actor Jesse Heiman, now 44, has shared the big screen with A-listers like Ryan Reynolds, but is still not a household name – dubbed ‘The World’s Greatest Extra’
American pie 2 (2001)
Role: Musical instrument student
In 2001, Heiman played a student playing a musical instrument in American Pie 2, after he left for Hollywood to pursue a career on the big screen.
He was persuaded by his roommate to become a background actor after losing his job – his big break as a trombonist in the 2001 sequel to American Pie.
In the film, Heiman can be seen practicing his instrument while sitting at the open back door of a school bus.
The production stars Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Chris Klein, Alyson Hannigan, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Shannon Elizabeth and Tara Reid as they embark on an adventure revolving around music camp.
2001: Heiman played a musical instrument-playing student in American Pie 2, after leaving for Hollywood to pursue a career on the big screen
With over 100 acting credits to his name, Heiman has played several background characters in movies starring Jason Biggs and Toby Maguire.
Van Wilder (2002)
Role: Surprised student
A year later, Heiman appeared alongside Ryan Reynolds in the comedy Van Wilder – now known as the breakout role for Reynolds as a student cut off from his father and forced to pay his own way to graduate.
The background actor plays ‘Student on couch’ and appears only briefly in the comedy.
Spider Man (2002)
Role: shocked high school student
Heiman got more roles in 2002 and managed to enter the Marvel world in the famous film adaptation of Spider-Man, starring Toby Maguire.
Supernatural protagonist Peter Parker is bullied at school and uses his spider-like powers to gain the upper hand, while Heiman looks shocked in the background behind actor Kirsten Dunst.
2002: Heiman managed to enter the Marvel Universe in the famous film adaptation of Spider-Man, starring Toby Maguire. Peter Parker is bullied at school and uses his spider-like powers to gain the upper hand, while Heiman watches in the background
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Role: student
Heiman also landed a background role in the 2002 biographical drama Catch Me If You Can, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.
While Titanic star DiCaprio played con artist Frank Abagnale, who makes millions posing as doctors, pilots and lawyers before being caught by an FBI agent, Heiman is seen in the background of yet another classroom, watching the protagonist .
2002: Heiman also appeared as a student in Catch Me If You Can starring Leonardo DiCaprio
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Role: Member of the theater audience
Later, in 2008, Heiman lands what is arguably one of his most important background roles, playing an audience member in the rom-com Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The movie stars Jason Segel and Kristen Bell, as well as Mila Kunis and Russell Brand.
Segel’s character Peter secretly works on a Dracula musical that eventually comes to life, and Heiman plays the audience member watching the famous vampire.
2008: Heiman lands what is arguably one of his most important background roles, playing an audience member in the rom-com Forgetting Sarah Marshall
The Big Bang Theory (five separate appearances)
Roles: One of Wil Wheaton’s friends; guest at Howard’s bachelorette party; Lonely nerd in the comic book store
For all science buffs, Heiman may be a familiar face, having made five separate appearances in the popular comedy The Bing Bang Theory which first aired in February 2008.
The extra’s first role on the show was as one of Wil Wheaton’s friends in “The 21-Second Excitation,” episode eight of season four.
He also appeared as one of the guests at Howard’s bachelorette party, sitting next to Captain Sweatpants in “The Stag Convergence,” Episode 22 of Season Five.
He later played one of the geeks at the comic book store on Valentine’s Day in Episode 16 of Season Six, titled “The Tangible Affection Proof.”
Jesse Heiman has appeared on The Big Bang Theory five times – the first time as one of Wil Wheaton’s friends in ‘The 21-Second Excitation’
The Social Network (2010)
Role: Typical Harvard student
Returning to more roles in high school, Heiman played a Harvard student in the 2010 biographical drama film The Social Network.
In the film, set at Harvard University and starring Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield, Heiman plays one of the students in a classroom auditorium.
The film follows the protagonists’ time at Ivy League college in 2003 as they create what would become a famous social media site.
According to Uniladwhen Heiman is not performing in the background of some of Hollywood’s most beloved movies and shows, he works as a Lyft driver, which gives him a “good secondary income” and which he “enjoys a lot.”
2010: Heiman returned to more roles in high school, playing a regular Harvard student in the biographical drama film The Social Network
When Heiman isn’t appearing in the background of some of Hollywood’s most beloved movies and shows, he’s working as a Lyft driver. reported Unilad