Actor, Parkersburg native Paul Dooley discusses memoir
Paul Dooley, 94, a Parkersburg native, has written about his life in “Movie Dad: Finding Myself and My Family, On Screen and Off.” He has appeared in numerous films including “Breaking Away,” “A Wedding” and “Sixteen Candles.” (Photo by Caroline Greyshock)
The cover of “Movie Dad: Finding Myself and My Family, On Screen and Off” by Paul Dooley includes a photo of a scene with Dooley and Molly Ringwald from “Sixteen Candles.” The book is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other outlets. (Image Provided)
Paul Dooley, 94, a Parkersburg native, has written about his life in “Movie Dad: Finding Myself and My Family, On Screen and Off.” He has appeared in numerous films including “Breaking Away,” “A Wedding” and “Sixteen Candles.” (Photo by Caroline Greyshock)
The cover of “Movie Dad: Finding Myself and My Family, On Screen and Off” by Paul Dooley includes a photo of a scene with Dooley and Molly Ringwald from “Sixteen Candles.” The book is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other outlets. (Image Provided)
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PARKERSBURG -- A Parkersburg native who became a successful stage, TV and movie actor known for his fatherly roles has written a book that includes the most difficult time in his life as a dad.
Paul Dooley's book, "Movie Dad: Finding Myself and My Family, On Screen and Off," is his first book.
"My first and only book," the 94-year-old Dooley told The Parkersburg News and Sentinel.
Dooley, born Paul Brown in Parkersburg, became an actor known for his roles as a father. Among his movies are "Breaking Away," "Sixteen Candles," "Runaway Bride" and "A Wedding." Dooley was 49 when "A Wedding," his first leading role, was produced.
He was Wimpy in "Popeye," the voice of Sarge in "Cars" and on TV appeared on "Deep Space Nine" as Enabran Tain, among other television shows.
"Movie Dad" took over a year to write and includes the most difficult times in his life, when his second wife disappeared after their divorce and took their children with her, which affected him throughout his career, Dooley said.
"I write about that a lot in the book," he said.
Dooley includes a passage about a scene from the movie "Breaking Away" when he speaks to his son after the Italian cyclists he admired betray him in a race.
"I was embracing a young boy who could be my missing son," Dooley wrote. "At the time, I remember thinking I wish my real missing son could see this scene."
Not easy to write about, Dooley said.
"It was hard to write about that part, yes," he said.
"Movie Dad: Finding Myself and My Family, On Screen and Off" is about 230 pages and is $29.95 at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It was published by Applause Theatre and Cinema Books.
Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.