Life Lessons: How Dale Critchlow ended up in Napoleon Dynamite

We usually ask MorningStar residents to share gems of wisdom every Tuesday with us. Some of their answers might make you laugh, some may make you cry, some may even change your life.

You may recognize Dale Critchlow is you've seen Napolean Dynamite. The 91-year-old Preston native appeared in the 2004 film and he sat down to tell us how he ended up with an acting role.

Dale also shared two life lessons he's learned: it pays to be daring and help people if you can.

Watch our entire interview with Dale in the video player above.

[ThatCarGuy]

RIP Dale. Amazing part. You have millions of fans. You wont be forgotten.

[orofritokathy]

This dude is a legend. The part when he shoots the cow in front of a schoolbus is somehow the funniest and darkest scene i have witnessed. I miss my grandparents.

[adrenchrme.]

RIP Dale Vernon Critchlow
October 27, 1929 — February 18, 2022
The old school generation...

[RavnerRavner]

That's how you land an unforgettable role. You just be yourself.

[marshie]

watching this reminds me how much i miss my grandpa. call your relatives people. you wont get the time back.

[Rachelroberts]

he is adorable and he absolutely was a staple in that movie. “nothin on here works SMOOOOTH”

[firedragon]

He seems like a good natured, salt of the earth kind of guy. Time has worn his physical appearance down, but his soul is wise and beautiful. His humble attitude, even with the attention, is refreshing and draws you in even more. That energy warms the heart.

[shayrealestatephotography]

"It pays to be daring...but not too daring". This guy is my hero.

[yuvgotubekidding]

“Over there in that creek bed I found a couple of Shoshone arrowheads.”

[ElizabethaSara]

I love Napoleon Dynamite and I absolutely loved his part in this movie!

[Callmenobody]

Man, this is like a gut punch when I see it. My grandfathers been gone since 2005. This guy reminds me of him, somehow. I miss him so much it hurts.

[MsGhost]

OMG, I loved his character, Lyle! He had the best line in the movie;
"Over there in that creek bed I found a couple Shoshoni arrowheads."
My fiance teases me & says that line to me all the time because when we go out hiking, I'm always looking for arrowheads 😂
Dale's a sweetheart ❤️ I hope he has a good family who will help him when he needs it!
God Bless 🙏🏼

[MikyDatBoi]

This man was a legend. Had so many of us laughing as kids and still to this day as adults loving the movie the exact same. Rest in Peace, Sir.

[prairiepetresort]

I wish there were MANY MANY MORE .. East Idaho News 🥰teams. A true news crew with a heart !

[TampaJohn]

That was one of the coolest interviews of all time.

[dustinharrison]

Napoleon Dynamite is my favorite movie and I'm not just saying that. It really is my single favorite movie of all time!

[AceGoodheart]

I LOVED Dale's parts in the movie. I'm so glad he was in it. Shooting the cow in front of the school kids was classic.

[Ojb_]

He was the icing on the cake as far as casting. Good man too.

[vihockeyguy]

My papaw died in 2013. I still miss him every day

[baylee]

Man this made me cry so hard. You never know how your life can touch other people. I'm grateful he was in the movie :)