Made acting debut in a commercial for the Atari videogame Pitfall at age thirteen (date approximate)

Film debut as an obsessed fan of Tim Robbins' folk-singing politician "Bob Roberts"

Appeared in the futuristic actioner "Demolition Man"

Made TV-movie debut with a cameo in the NBC crime drama "Marked For Murder"

Formed Tenacious D with guitarist Kyle Gass

Was featured in the fantasy sequel "The Neverending Story III"

Reteamed with Tim Robbins with a role in the director's acclaimed death row-set drama "Dead Man Walking"

Along with Kyle Gass, appeared as Tenacious D in the inane comedy "Bio-Dome"

Featured in the sci-fi fantasy film "Crossworlds," debuted on HBO in 1997

Acted in the action thriller "The Jackal"

Had a scene-stealing featured role in the independent thriller "Johnny Skidmarks," aired on HBO in lieu of theatrical release

Featured as a computer whiz in "Enemy of the State"

Was creator, executive producer, writer and star of a three-episode series of comedy specials featuring the comedy rock band "Tenacious D" (HBO)

Had a comedic turn alongside Gass as bumbling aspiring performers in Tim Robbins' "Cradle Will Rock"

Featured in the acclaimed independent "Jesus' Son"

Had a memorable supporting role as an obnoxious record store clerk in the feature "High Fidelity"

Signed to star in the comedy "Saving Silverman"; reportedly earning $1 million

Had leading role opposite Gwyneth Paltrow in "Shallow Hal"

Released self debut album, Tenacious D with band member Kyle Gass

Starred in the comedy "School of Rock"; earned a golden globe nomination for best actor in a comedy or musical

Co-starred with Ben Stiller in the comedy "Envy," directed by Barry Levinson

Voiced Lenny in the animated feature "Shark Tale"

Cast as Carl Denham, an adventurer filmmaker in Peter Jackson's "King Kong" a remake of 1933 classic

Cast as a mexican cook who hits the wrestling circuit in "Nacho Libre," a comedy directed by Jared Hess

Produced (also co-wrote and starred) "Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny," a film about his rock comedy band with Kyle Gass; also released the album, The Pick of Destiny

Played rare romantic lead opposite Kate Winslet in director Nancy Meyers' romantic comedy "The Holiday"

Portrayed Jennifer Jason Leigh's fiancé in "Margot at the Wedding" directed by Noah Baumbach

Co-starred with Mos Def in Michel Gondry's eccentric comedy "Be Kind Rewind"

Voiced the lead character in the animated feature, "Kung Fu Panda"

Co-starred in the Ben Stiller directed action comedy "Tropic Thunder"