Biography

Dooley was a keen cartoonist as a youth and drew a strip for a local paper in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He joined the Navy before discovering acting while at college. Moving to New York, he soon found success as a regular on the stage. Also having an interest in comedy, Dooley was a stand-up comedian for five years, as well as having brief stints as a magician and as a clown. Unafraid of trying different areas of entertainment, he was also a writer. After appearing in many movies, including most notably Popeye (1980), Dooley has appeared as recurrent characters on various shows, including My So-Called Life (1994), Dream On (1990), Grace Under Fire (1993), and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993).

Writer

The Middle Ages(2015)

Lifestyles of the Rich & Fabulous(2012)

The Electric Company(2006)

HealtH(1980)

The Electric Company(1971)

Actor

Cars: Lightning Racers(2027)as Sarge

The Comeback(2005)as Charlie

Boy Makes Girl(2023)as Ben

Saving Paradise(2021)as Gramps

Selfie Dad(2020)as Barber

Producer

Lifestyles of the Rich & Fabulous(2012)

Janeane from Des Moines(2012)

Thanks

My So-Called Life: An Interview with Claire Danes(2007)

My So-Called Life: The Chase Family(2007)

Call the Usual Suspects: The Craft of the Character Actor(2006)

Little Shop of Horrors(1986)

Soundtrack

ALF(1986)

See China and Die(1981)

Self

Go Fact Yourself(2018)as Self - Guest

The Water is Finally Blue: The Untold Story of Robert Altman's O.C. and Stiggs(2023)

Emily @ the Edge of Chaos(2021)as Muon

Reza Rifts(2021)as Self, Self (2022)

Front Row Flynn(2018)as Self

Archive Footage

Altman(2014)as Self

Welcome to Comic-Con!(2013)as Self (in Salute to Star Trek segment)

Curb Your Enthusiasm(2000)as Cheryl's Father

Grace Under Fire(1993)as John Shirley

Known for

Breaking Away1979 · Actor Hairspray2007 · Actor Sixteen Candles1984 · Actor Popeye1980 · Actor

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Photos 33

Paul Dooley, Anne Haney, and Makenzie Vega in The Geena Davis Show (2000)

Geena Davis, Peter Horton, Paul Dooley, and Anne Haney in The Geena Davis Show (2000)

Parker Posey, Paul Dooley, John Michael Higgins, Jane Lynch, Christopher Moynihan, David Blasucci, Mark Nonisa, Steve Pandis, and Patrick Sauber in A Mighty Wind (2003)

Marcus D'Amico, Paul Dooley, and Belita Moreno in Tales of the City (1993)

Jason Bateman and Paul Dooley in The Jake Effect (2003)

Credit Score: Paul Dooley

1098765

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The Practice

Judge Philip Swackheim

Thu Mar 04 1999 – Sun May 16 2004

#	Name	Score	Year	Nom	Known	★	Wins	Noms	Votes
1	The Practice	80.00	1997	•		7.7	15	41	11608
2	Curb Your Enthusiasm	50.00	2000		•	8.8	2	55	166463
3	Dream On	30.00	1990	•		7.6	2	9	4327
4	Breaking Away	10.00	1979		•	7.7	1	5	27559
5	Cars	7.50	2006		•	7.3	0	2	535578
6	Waiting for Guffman	3.75	1997		•	7.4	0	0	33832
7	Slap Shot	3.75	1977		•	7.2	0	0	45113
8	Strange Brew	3.25	1983		•	6.6	0	0	20141
9	Popeye	3.09	1980		•	5.4	0	0	37627
10	Hairspray	2.50	2007		•	6.7	0	1	145647