He found out years later that Carl Reiner had recommended him for the job. Dooley wrote 'runners', a series of short sketches with 8 or 10 characters that were broadcast over the course of several weeks. He created and was one of the head writers on The Electric Company, produced by the Children's Television Workshop for PBS in the United States. Fellow members of The Second City at that time were Alan Arkin and Alan Alda. Īlso having an interest in comedy, Dooley was a stand-up comedian for five years, eventually landing on The Tonight Show, and a member of the Compass Players and The Second City troupe in New York City. Dooley was represented by the William Morris Agency, thanks to a referral from Walter Matthau, who played Oscar Madison in the play. Dooley appeared as Oscar's poker crony, Homer 'Speed' Deegan and understudied Art Carney, who portrayed Felix Unger when Carney left the play later on, Dooley assumed the role of Felix.

The director gave him his first break by casting him in 1965's The Odd Couple on Broadway. In the early 1950s, he made his debut on the New York stage and was discovered by Mike Nichols. In New York he soon found success as a regular on the stage. He initially found work as a clown for children's birthday parties. Career Īfter graduating from West Virginia University, Dooley went to New York City to try his luck in the entertainment industry.

In 1946, he joined the United States Navy and served for 2 years before returning home and graduating from West Virginia University in 1952. ĭooley was a cartoonist as a youth and drew a strip for a local paper in Parkersburg. He enjoyed listening to comedians on the radio, especially Jimmy Durante. He has said that Parkersburg had few attractions that interested him, as there were not many cultural opportunities. He co-created the PBS show The Electric Company.ĭooley was born Paul Brown on February 22, 1928, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, the son of Ruth Irene (née Barringer), a homemaker, and Pete James Brown, a factory worker. He is known for his roles in Breaking Away, Popeye, Sixteen Candles, and many Christopher Guest mockumentaries. Paul Dooley (born Paul Brown February 22, 1928) is an American character actor, writer and comedian.

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