Paul Dooley (born Paul Lee Brown; February 22, 1928 in Parkersburg, West Virginia) is an American actor, writer and comedian. He is best known for his roles in Breaking Away, Popeye, and Sixteen Candles.
A cartoonist in his youth, Dooley began seeking work as an actor after graduating from West Virginia University, also working at the time as a clown. He was a cast member in The Second City around the same time as Alan Alda and Alan Arkin, and also helped to create the Edutainment Show The Electric Company (1971), serving as head writer in its first season.
Dooley has been married twice, previously to Donna Lee Wasser and since 1984 to writer and producer Winnie Holzmann, the creator of My So-Called Life. He has three children with Wasser, while his daughter with Holzmann, Savannah Dooley, is a writer and producer who co-created the TV adaptation of Huge.
Works with Paul Dooley:
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Film roles
- 1964 The Parisienne And The Prudes: Ted K. Worrie
- 1970 The Out-of-Towners: Hotel Clerk—Day
- 1972 Up The Sandbox: Statue of Liberty Guard
- 1974 The Dion Brothers: Doctor
- 1974 Death Wish: Cop At Hospital (Uncredited Role)
- 1975 Foreplay: Salesman
- 1977 Slap Shot: Hyannisport Announcer
- 1978 A Wedding: Snooks Brenner
- 1979 A Perfect Couple: Alex Theodopoulos
- 1979 Breaking Away: Ray Stohler
- 1979 Rich Kids: Simon Peterfreund
- 1980 Health: Dr. Gil Gainey
- 1980 Popeye: J. Wellington Wimpy
- 1981 Paternity: Kurt
- 1982 Endangered Species: Joe Hiatt
- 1982 Kiss Me Goodbye: Kendall
- 1982 Strange Brew: Claude Elsinore
- 1983 Going Berserk: Dr. Ted
- 1984 Sixteen Candles: Jim Baker
- 1985 OC And Stiggs: Randall Schwab
- 1986 Monster in the Closet: Roy
- 1986 Big Trouble: Noozel
- 1988 Last Rites: Father Freddie
- 1990 Flashback: Stark
- 1991 Shakes the Clown: Owen Cheese
- 1992 The Player: Himself
- 1993 My Boyfriend's Back: Big Chuck
- 1993 A Dangerous Woman: Tupperware Salesman
- 1995 Evolver: Jerry Briggs
- 1995 The Underneath: Ed Dutton
- 1996 Gods Lonely Man: Polo
- 1996 Waiting for Guffman: UFO Abductee
- 1997 Loved: Leon Amerson
- 1997 Clockwatchers: Bud Chapman
- 1997 Telling Lies In America: Father Norton
- 1999 Happy, Texas: The Judge
- 1999 Guinevere: Walter
- 1999 Error In Judgment: Jack Albert
- 1999 Runaway Bride: Walter Carpenter
- 2001 Madison: Mayor Don Vaughn
- 2001 Rennies Landing: Hank
- 2002 Insomnia: Chief Nyback
- 2003 A Mighty Wind: George Menschell
- 2003 Nobody Knows Anything: Warden
- 2004 Employee of the Month: Reverend Ben Goodwin
- 2005 Come Away Home: Grandpa Donald Brooks
- 2006 For Your Consideration: Paper Badge Sergeant
- 2006 Cars: Sarge
- 2007 Hairspray: Mr. Spritzer
- 2008 Sunshine Cleaning: Sherm
- 2008 Chronic Town: Eleanor’s Father
- 2008 Bedtime Stories: Hot Dog Vendor
- 2009 Horsemen: Father Whiteleather
- 2010 Ironmen: Connors
- 2011 Thanks: Hank
- 2013 Turbo: The Foreman
- 2016 Other People: Ronnie
- 2016 The Holy Man: Lou “The Bull” Devine
- 2021 Boy Makes Girl: Ben
Television roles
- 1963 East Side West Side: Charlie Welty (1 episode)
- 1964 The Defenders: R. W. Wheeler (1 episode)
- 1966 Get Smart: Hanlon (1 episode)
- 1966 Bewitched: TV Man (1 episode)
- 1974-87 Sesame Street: Parrot (4 episodes)
- Also a Museum Security Guard in Don't Eat the Pictures: Sesame Street at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1983)
- 1982-83 Faerie Tale Theatre: The Miller/Father (2 episodes)
- 1985 Spenser For Hire: Bryce Taylor (1 episode)
- 1986 Tales from the Darkside: Chester Caruso (1 episode)
- 1986-87 The Golden Girls: Isaac Q. Newton/George Corliss (2 episodes)
- 1987-89 ALF: Whizzer (3 episodes)
- 1988-89 Coming Of Age: Dick Hale
- 1990 thirtysomething: Bob Spano (2 episodes)
- 1991 Evening Shade: Rayford Taggart (1 episode)
- 1991 Coach: Horace Van Dam (1 episode)
- 1991 My Life And Times: Jack Miller (1 episode)
- 1991 Sunday Dinner: Jack (1 episode)
- 1991 Square One Television: Casey Bengal (2 episodes)
- 1991 The Wonder Years: Pops (1 episode)
- 1991 Pros And Cons: Archie Williams (1 episode)
- 1991 Mathnet: Charles Dillon “Bengal” Casey (1 episode)
- 1992 Batman: The Animated Series: Father Michael (1 episode)
- 1992 Mad About You: Gus Stempel (1 episode)
- 1992 Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride: Asst. Dist. Atty. Robert Norrell
- 1992 The Ben Stiller Show: The Professor/Mr. Adult (2 episodes)
- 1992-94 Dream On: Mickey Tupper (6 episodes)
- 1992 Room For Two: Wally (1 episode)
- 1993 Tales of the City: Herb Tolliver
- 1993 L.A. Law: Karl Bullen (1 episode)
- 1994 The Mommies: Frank Kellogg (1 episode)
- 1994-97 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Enabran Tain (4 episodes)
- 1994 Chicago Hope: Walter McTeague (1 episode)
- 1994 My So-Called Life: Chuck Wood (2 episodes)
- 1994 Sisters: Erin “The Bargain” Baron (1 episode)
- 1994-96 Grace Under Fire: John Shirley (22 episodes)
- 1995-2004: ER: Henry Lewis (4 episodes)
- 1996 High Society: Mel (1 episode)
- 1996 Ellen: Thomas Kelsey (1 episode)
- 1996 Millennium (1996): Joe Bangs (1 episode)
- 1997 Duckman: Stan (1 episode)
- 1997 Early Edition: McGinty (1 episode)
- 1997 Sabrina the Teenage Witch: Ralphie (1 episode)
- 1998-99 Tracey Takes On...: Agent Ivan Hamel/Cop (2 episodes)
- 1999 Dharma & Greg: Judge Harper (1 episode)
- 2000-05 Curb Your Enthusiasm: Cheryl’s Dad (7 episodes)
- 2001 Ally McBeal: Nicholas Engblume (1 episode)
- 2001 Providence: Bill Ridley (1 episode)
- 2001 The Geena Davis Show: Bill (1 episode)
- 2001 Kate Brasher: Father (1 episode)
- 2001 Jack & Jill: Father Conlin (1 episode)
- 2001 The Huntress: Dante Cicollo (1 episode)
- 2001-02 Once and Again: Les Cresswell (6 episodes)
- 2003 Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Stan Coffman (1 episode)
- 2003 Becker: Mr. Lerner (1 episode)
- 2004 CSI: Buddy Ween (1 episode)
- 2005 Desperate Housewives: Addison Prudy (3 episodes)
- 2008 Grey's Anatomy: Dr. Walter Tapley (1 episode)
- 2009 Scrubs: Paul (1 episode)
- 2010 Huge: Joe Sosniak
- 2011 Private Practice: Abe Nussbaum (1 episode)
- 2012 Hot in Cleveland: Bearded Man aka Santa (1 episode)
- 2012 The Client List: Earl Hudson (1 episode)
- 2013 Criminal Minds: Chip Gordon (1 episode)
- 2013 Major Crimes: Larry Murdock (1 episode)
- 2013 Super Fun Night: The Old Man (1 episode)
- 2014 Parenthood: Rocky (1 episode)
- 2016 Childrens Hospital: Grandpa Ben (1 episode)
- 2017 Workaholics: Ralph (1 episode)
- 2017 The Good Doctor: Glen (1 episode)
- 2018 Shameless (US): Ralph (1 episode)
- 2018-19 The Kids Are Alright: Fr. Cecil Dunne (6 episodes)
- 2019 Bizaardvark: Uncle Morty (1 episode)
- 2019 Merry Happy Whatever: Grandpa Jack (1 episode)
- 2020 Modern Family: Murray (1 episode)
