--- name: "Paul Dooley" canonical: "https://film.one/person/paul-dooley" fi1m_id: "paul-dooley" imdb_id: "nm0233209" tmdb_id: 15900 wikidata_id: "Q708097" roles: ["Actor"] born: "22 February 1928" reviewed_on_fi1m: 8 average_fi1m_score: 72 average_as: "actor" average_over: 8 updated: "2026-10-05T01:33:43.783149+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Paul Dooley ## Identity Paul Dooley - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/paul-dooley - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** paul-dooley - **IMDb ID:** nm0233209 - **TMDB ID:** 15900 - **Wikidata ID:** Q708097 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Dooley, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q708097, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0233209/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/15900 Actor. Born 22 February 1928 in Parkersburg, West Virginia, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 22 February 1928, Parkersburg, West Virginia, USA - **Active:** 1979–2017 - **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 8 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 86 (1), 1980s 64 (1), 1990s 73 (4), 2000s 72 (1), 2010s 58 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 70 across 7 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 6, Drama 6, Adventure 2, Crime 2, Family 2, Romance 2 - **Screen time:** 13 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $875m across 6 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Dooley, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q708097, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0233209/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/15900 ## Fi1m on Paul Dooley > Paul Dooley plays fathers baffled by their children and fond of them anyway, mostly by underplaying: the flat line, the look at the wall. In *Breaking Away* he is close to perfect; elsewhere he is often the decent man the film forgets to use. A customer brings a used car back to the lot and Ray Stoller, who sold it to him, tries to say the word "refund". He cannot. Paul Dooley plays the scene in *Breaking Away* (1979) as a man in real physical pain, and it is the funniest thing in a very funny film. That is how he works. He does not do anything large; he finds the one word that sticks in a man's throat and stands there with it. He came to films late. There was stage and stand-up work in New York from the 1950s, and writing for *The Electric Company*, before Robert Altman saw him on stage in *Hold Me* and put him in *A Wedding* (1978). Altman made five films with him, including *Popeye* (1980), where he plays Wimpy, and let him improvise and play something close to himself. "I picked you to be you," Dooley has said Altman told him. Then Peter Yates cast him as a former stonecutter selling cars in Bloomington, and from that point on he was the father. John Hughes wrote an extra scene to get him into *Sixteen Candles* (1984). Later came Christopher Guest's mockumentaries, with small odd parts like the UFO abductee in *Waiting for Guffman* (1996), and the voice of Sarge in *Cars* (2006) and its sequels, and character work that has carried on into the 2020s. What he does best is refuse to push. In *Breaking Away* Ray walks his son through the campus at night and names the stone he cut for each building, and says he was proud of the work and never felt allowed inside. Dooley says it flat, looking at the wall and not at the boy. We were moved more than a comedy about bicycles had any right to manage, and it was that refusal to look at Dennis Christopher that did it. Barbara Barrie, at the kitchen stove, is the other half of the performance, and Yates has the sense to leave the pair of them alone. The same quietness is a problem when a director has nothing for him to be quiet about. In Steven Soderbergh's *The Underneath* (1995) he is Ed Dutton, a decent, worried stepfather, and decent and worried is all the film gives him, because it has left its own centre empty. Being the reliable father meant being cast as the reliable father, and the dossier of his career is heavy with men who love their children and get one scene to show it. Guest, to his credit, uses the deadpan for something else entirely. If you know him only as a gravelly voice in a children's film about talking cars, go back to Bloomington and watch him fail to say refund. ## Biography Paul Dooley is an American character actor. Born Paul Brown on 22 February 1928 in Parkersburg, West Virginia, he graduated from West Virginia University in 1952 with a degree in speech and drama. He served in the US Navy from 1946 to 1948 and began his career on stage, including in the original Broadway production of *The Odd Couple*, while also working as a comedian and writer. Dooley is known for film roles including *Breaking Away* (1979), *Popeye* (1980), *Sixteen Candles* (1984) and voicing Sarge in the *Cars* series (2006–2017). He appeared as Ed Dutton in *The Underneath* (1995) and has featured in several Christopher Guest mockumentaries. He co-created and served as head writer for the first season of the PBS children's series *The Electric Company*. Dooley received a National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in *Breaking Away*. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, allmovie.com.* ## On Fi1m (8) - *Cars 3* (2017), Fi1m 58, as Sarge (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/cars-3.md) - *Hairspray* (2007), Fi1m 72, as Mr. Spritzer — [page](https://film.one/film/hairspray-2007.md) - *Runaway Bride* (1999), Fi1m 58, as Walter — [page](https://film.one/film/runaway-bride.md) - *The Underneath* (1995), Fi1m 62, as Ed Dutton — [page](https://film.one/film/the-underneath.md) - *My So-Called Life* (1994), Fi1m 87, as Chuck Wood — [page](https://film.one/tv/my-so-called-life.md) - *The Player* (1992), Fi1m 85, as Paul Dooley — [page](https://film.one/film/the-player.md) - *Popeye* (1980), Fi1m 64, as Wimpy — [page](https://film.one/film/popeye.md) - *Breaking Away* (1979), Fi1m 86, as Ray Stoller — [page](https://film.one/film/breaking-away.md) ## Complete filmography (174) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Boy Makes Girl* (2023), as Ben - *Saving Paradise* (2021), as Gramps - *Selfie Dad* (2020), as Barber - *The Gesture and The Word* (2020), as Mr. Rostalle - *Merry Happy Whatever* (2019), series, as Grandpa Jack - *The Good Doctor* (2017), series, as Glen - *The Guest Book* (2017), series, Actor - *Cars 3* (2017), as Sarge (voice) — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/cars-3.md) - *The Holy Man* (2016), as Lou 'The Bull' Devine - *Other People* (2016), as Ronnie - *Life in Pieces* (2015), series, as Mort - *Young & Hungry* (2014), series, as Mr. Fancy - *The Radiator Springs 500½* (2014), as Sarge (voice) - *My Santa* (2013), as Martin - *Super Fun Night* (2013), series, as The Old Man - *Turbo* (2013), as The Foreman (voice) - *Spinning* (2013), as Sarge (voice) - *Hiccups* (2013), as Sarge (voice) - *The Client List* (2012), series, as Earl Hudson - *Cars 2* (2011), as Sarge (voice) - *Workaholics* (2011), series, as Ralph - *Shameless* (2011), series, as Ralph — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/shameless-2011.md) - *Thanks* (2011), as Hank - *Huge* (2010), series, Actor - *Hot in Cleveland* (2010), series, as Bearded Man aka Santa - *Parenthood* (2010), series, as Rocky - *Modern Family* (2009), series, as Murray — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/modern-family.md) - *Horsemen* (2009), as Father Whiteleather - *Bedtime Stories* (2008), as Hot Dog Vendor - *Childrens Hospital* (2008), series, as Grandpa Ben - *Chronic Town* (2008), as Eleanor's Father - *Sunshine Cleaning* (2008), as Sherm - *Private Practice* (2007), series, as Abe Nussbaum - *Hairspray* (2007), as Mr. Spritzer — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/hairspray-2007.md) - *Side Order of Life* (2007), series, Actor - *For Your Consideration* (2006), as Paper Badge Sergeant - *Mater and the Ghostlight* (2006), as Sarge (voice) - *Cars* (2006), as Sarge (voice) - *The Jake Effect* (2006), series, as Mr. Bernthal - *Hopeless Pictures* (2005), series, Actor - *Madison* (2005), as Mayor Don Vaughn - *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Dr. Walter Tapley — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md) - *American Dad!* (2005), series, as (voice) - *Come Away Home* (2005), as Grandpa Donald - *Desperate Housewives* (2004), series, as Addison Prudy — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md) - *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Judge Wendel Donahue — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md) - *Nobody Knows Anything!* (2004), as Warden - *Employee of the Month* (2004), as Ben Goodwin - *Comfort and Joy* (2003), as George - *Tracey Ullman in the Trailer Tales* (2003), as Dean Duaney - *A Mighty Wind* (2003), as George Menschell - *Touch 'Em All McCall* (2003), Actor - *Insomnia* (2002), as Chief Nyback - *The Perfect You* (2002), as Larry - *Recess Christmas: Miracle On Third Street* (2001), as Hank the Janitor/Mall Santa - *Scrubs* (2001), series, as Paul - *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Stan Coffman - *Rennie's Landing* (2001), as Hank - *A Woman's a Helluva Thing* (2001), as Hank Luckinbill - *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), series, as Cheryl's Father — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md) - *The Geena Davis Show* (2000), series, as Bill Ryan - *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Buddy Ween - *The Huntress* (2000), series, Actor - *Happy, Texas* (1999), as The Judge - *Jack & Jill* (1999), series, as Father Conlin - *Once and Again* (1999), series, Actor - *Guinevere* (1999), as Walter - *Runaway Bride* (1999), as Walter — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/runaway-bride.md) - *Error in Judgment* (1999), as Jack Albert - *I'll Remember April* (1999), as Earl Schimmel - *Providence* (1999), series, as Bill Ridley - *Becker* (1998), series, as Mr. Lerner - *Angels in the Endzone* (1997), as Coach Buck - *Loved* (1997), as Leo Amerson - *Dharma & Greg* (1997), series, as Judge Harper - *Ally McBeal* (1997), series, as Nicholas Engblume — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/ally-mcbeal.md) - *Telling Lies in America* (1997), as Father Norton - *Clockwatchers* (1997), as Bud Chapman - *The Practice* (1997), series, as Judge Philip Swackheim - *Waiting for Guffman* (1997), as UFO Abductee - *Millennium* (1996), series, as Joe Bangs - *Early Edition* (1996), series, as McGinty - *Sabrina, the Teenage Witch* (1996), series, as Ralphie - *7th Heaven* (1996), series, as Red - *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor - *God's Lonely Man* (1996), as Polo - *Out There* (1995), as Emmett Davis - *High Society* (1995), series, as Mel - *The Underneath* (1995), as Ed Dutton — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/the-underneath.md) - *Evolver* (1995), as Jerry Briggs - *The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes* (1995), as Senator Thatch - *ER* (1994), series, as Henry Lewis — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md) - *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Walter McTeague - *My So-Called Life* (1994), series, as Chuck Wood — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/my-so-called-life.md) - *Ellen* (1994), series, as Thomas Kelsey - *Duckman* (1994), series, as Stan (voice) - *State of Emergency* (1994), as Jim Anderson - *Grace Under Fire* (1993), series, as John Shirley - *Tales of the City* (1993), series, as Herb Tolliver - *A Dangerous Woman* (1993), as Tupperware Salesman - *My Boyfriend's Back* (1993), as Big Chuck - *Mother of the Bride* (1993), as Richard - *Stephen King's Golden Tales* (1993), as Chester Caruso - *Cooperstown* (1993), as Sid Wiggins - *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine* (1993), series, as Enabran Tain — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-deep-space-nine.md) - *Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride* (1992), as Asst. Dist. Atty. Robert Norrell - *The Ben Stiller Show* (1992), series, Actor - *Mad About You* (1992), series, as Gus Stemple - *Batman: The Animated Series* (1992), series, as Father Michael (voice) - *The Player* (1992), as Paul Dooley — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/the-player.md) - *Shakes the Clown* (1991), as Owen Cheese - *White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd* (1991), as Hal Roach - *Frogs!* (1991), as Twittenham - *UFO Cafe* (1990), as Doc - *The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson* (1990), Actor - *Dream On* (1990), series, as Mickey Tupper - *Flashback* (1990), as Stark - *When He's Not a Stranger* (1989), as Ben McKenna - *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Randolph (segment "Forever Ambergris") - *Guts and Glory: The Rise and Fall of Oliver North* (1989), as Robert McFarlane - *Coach* (1989), series, as Horace Van Dam - *Last Rites* (1988), as Father Freddie - *Lip Service* (1988), as Gil Hutchinson - *Coming of Age* (1988), series, Actor - *Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel* (1988), as John Buxton - *The Wonder Years* (1988), series, as Pops — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-wonder-years.md) - *The Murder of Mary Phagan* (1988), series, as William Burns - *thirtysomething* (1987), series, Actor - *O.C. and Stiggs* (1987), as Randall Schwab - *ALF* (1986), series, as Whizzer - *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Karl Bullen - *Big Trouble* (1986), as George Noozel - *Monster in the Closet* (1986), as Roy Crane - *The Golden Girls* (1985), series, as Isaac Q. Newton, George Corliss — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-golden-girls.md) - *The Steel Collar Man* (1985), as Don Liddle - *Tales from the Darkside* (1984), series, as Chester Caruso - *Sixteen Candles* (1984), as Jim Baker - *Hansel and Gretel* (1983), as Father - *Don't Eat the Pictures: Sesame Street at the Metropolitan Museum of Art* (1983), as Museum Security Guard - *Going Berserk* (1983), as Dr. Ted - *Strange Brew* (1983), as Claude Elsinore - *The Wilder Summer* (1983), as Grubbins - *Kiss Me Goodbye* (1982), as Kendall - *Rumpelstiltskin* (1982), as The Miller - *Faerie Tale Theatre* (1982), series, as Father, The Miller - *Endangered Species* (1982), as Joe Hiatt - *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Detective - *The Shady Hill Kidnapping* (1982), as Detective - *Paternity* (1981), as Kurt - *See China and Die* (1981), as Ames Prescott - *Popeye* (1980), as Wimpy — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/popeye.md) - *HealtH* (1980), as Dr. Gil Gainey · Writer - *Rich Kids* (1979), as Simon Peterfreund - *Breaking Away* (1979), as Ray Stoller — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/breaking-away.md) - *A Perfect Couple* (1979), as Alex Theodopoulos - *A Wedding* (1978), as Snooks Brenner - *Simple Gifts* (1977), as (segment "Lost & Found") (voice) - *Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure* (1977), as Gazooks (voice) - *Slap Shot* (1977), as Hyannisport Announcer - *Fore Play* (1975), as Salesman - *Death Wish* (1974), as Cop at Hospital (uncredited) - *The Dion Brothers* (1974), as Doctor - *Up the Sandbox* (1972), as Statue of Liberty Guard - *The Night the Animals Talked* (1970), as (voice) - *The Out-of-Towners* (1970), as Day Desk Clerk at Hotel - *What's So Bad About Feeling Good?* (1968), as Vic - *Man in the Square Suit* (1966), Actor - *Get Smart* (1965), series, as Hanlon - *Howard, Howard and Howard* (1965), Actor - *Bewitched* (1964), series, Actor - *The Parisienne and the Prudes* (1964), as Ted K. Worrie - *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Photographer - *Qiana*, as Norman Pasco - *Capture the Flag*, as Burgess ## Gallery - ![Paul Dooley](https://film.one/media/person/9918/gallery-78c1504440a4.png) Paul Dooley — Paul J. Alessi aka pjalessi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Paul_Dooley.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Paul Dooley at the Gasoline Gallery Art show of James Owens “Savage Beauty” (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/9918/gallery-755bcc99de8b.png) Paul Dooley at the Gasoline Gallery Art show of James Owens “Savage Beauty” (2010) — Paul J. Alessi aka pjalessi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/Paul_Dooley_%28headshot%29.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Actor Paul Dooley and Actor/Producer Paul J. Alessi at the Gasoline Gallery Art show of James Owens “Savage Beauty” (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/9918/gallery-e581fe62cbd2.jpg) Actor Paul Dooley and Actor/Producer Paul J. Alessi at the Gasoline Gallery Art show of James Owens “Savage Beauty” (2010) — Paul J. Alessi aka pjalessi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Paul_Dooley_and_Paul_J._Alessi.jpg/1280px-Paul_Dooley_and_Paul_J._Alessi.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/paul-dooley