PAUL DOOLEY - I'LL NEVER RETIRE

The hard-working character actor looks back on his life, his remarkable television and film career, and the long road he's traveled

- Fortune Benatar

It’s ironic that actor Paul Dooley got his first big break in the film industry — a business famous for prizing youth above all — at the not-so-young age of 49. Since that first role, the popular character actor has played fathers in 25 films and counting, and has been a paternal figure to some of the silver screen’s biggest stars, including Julia Roberts, Molly Ringwald and Helen Hunt. “In general, if you’re a character actor, you’re in there to support the stars. The story being told is their story and you’re just part of it,” explains Paul, 94.

Of course, with more than 200 film and television credits on his résumé, the Emmy-nominated actor hasn’t just played fathers. One of his quirkiest roles was Wimpy, the hamburger-obsessed best pal to the spinach-loving sailorman in 1980’s Popeye, starring Robin Williams. “That was quite a stretch, and there was no dad in it,” laughs Paul, who adds, “I’ve had a good career and have been able to keep very busy.” The actor is finally taking center stage with the publication of his memoir, Movie Dad: Finding Myself and My Family, On Screen and Off.

What prompted you to write your memoir, Movie Dad? 

It started as a one-man live show because I wanted to hear the audience’s laughs, but then the pandemic hit. They weren’t doing any movies or TV, so I used my downtime to turn it into a book. It took me about a year.

You grew up in West Virginia. What was your childhood like?