‘Movie Dad’ stars veteran entertainer Paul Dooley, in a theatrical interpretation of his life, and passion for comedy.
Speaking with Paul Dooley about his one man show, playing live Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm. Sundays at 2:00 pm, at THEATRE WEST, 3333 Cahuenga Boulevard West, Los Angeles, CA. Tickets: 323-851-7977 or theatrewest.org. Playing currently until July 23, 2017.
When did you decide you wanted to become an actor?
Paul Dooley: I knew from the time I was a child that I liked to entertain people. I taught myself juggling, some magic tricks, performed for friends in my backyard, and took the plunge into becoming a clown for kids birthday parties. Buster Keaton is my hero and I always wanted to make people laugh. After I graduated from West Virginia University, I bravely drove my broken down 1948 Dodge to New York, where my friend Don Knotts introduced me to some producers that helped me get commercial and voice over work.
When did you know you would be able to make a living doing what you love?
Paul Dooley: My career took off when I was performing on stage in the Jules Feiffer comedy Hold Me. Director Robert Altman came to see the show and signed my on the spot to play Carol Burnett’s husband, and father of the bride, in his film A Wedding. I have been fortunate to play many “Movie Dads” since, Molly Ringwald’s Dad in Sixteen Candles, Julia Roberts’ Dad in Runaway Bride, to name a few.
What is ‘Movie Dad’?
Paul Dooley. I love to write, and I did write this script myself. It is a personal buffet-style presentation of my life as an actor, comedian, husband, father and grandfather, with snippets and photos of memorable events. It has some dramatic moments but my passion is comedy. As I said, Buster Keaton is my inspiration, and I have tried to learn as much about him and the performer’ s of comedy as possible. I’m obsessed. I had the opportunity to work with Robin Williams in Popeye, another one of my favorite comedians, as well as working with Christopher Guest in, Waiting For Guffman and A Mighty Wind, and Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Have you done any stand-up comedy?
Paul Dooley. Yes. I actually appeared as a stand-up comic on the Jack Paar Show, before Johnny Carson! A also love improvisation and I worked with Alan Alda and Alan Arkin in the Second City Comedy Improvisation Troupe.
With all your hard work, was there time for a family life?
Paul Dooley: Oh yes, I’m not just a ‘Movie Dad’. I have four children and three grandchildren. My son and I have actually written a few movie scripts together and my wife Winnie Holzman is a successful playwright. She wrote My So Called Life, that I had a part in, and also introduced the fabulously talented Claire Danes to the big screen. Winnie also wrote the Broadway smash Wicked which is heading into its thirteenth season. We often co-write plays, most recently Assisted Living that we perform in together.
What’s next for Paul Dooley?
Paul Dooley: I’m having a blast doing the voice of ‘Sarge’ the Jeep in the Disney ‘Cars’ franchise. It’s so popular we’re doing a Cars 3!
Catch Paul Dooley July 14- 23, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays 2:00 pm at the THEATRE WEST, 3333 Cahuenga Boulevard West. Los Angeles. Tickets 323-851-7977 or theatrewest.org.
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