Dale Critchlow, Jared Hess’ Napoleon Dynamite actor, died on Friday, February 18, at 92. His family informed a local newspaper, The Preston Citizen, about his death. According to Deadline, the nonagenarian died at the MorningStar Senior Living facility in Idaho Falls. The family, however, did not reveal the reason for his death. Critchlow most likely died of natural causes, given his age. According to an obituary in local media, the late Idaho resident’s funeral will be placed in Preston next week on Friday.
What is Dale Critchlow, the late Napoleon Dynamite actor, known For?
Dale Critchlow was best recognized for his role as Farmer Lyle in the 2004 film Napoleon Dynamite. In the movie, he played a poultry farmer who shot a cow as a school bus passed. He is also featured in other sequences, including when his character lunches at the farm with Jon Heder’s Napoleon. Critchlow gained a local sensation in his hometown of Idaho Falls after making his acting debut in the 2004 sleeper hit. Two years later, he featured in Kurt Hale’s Church Ball as Rodney Munch. From 2004 to 2006, Dale Critchlow participated in just two films throughout his short acting career.
How did Critchlow get into acting?
Critchlow discussed his sudden venture into acting in a 2020 interview with EastIdahoNews.com, which he owed to filmmaker Jared Hess. The Utah native explained that he met the filmmaker looking for lost sheep. Critchlow recounted an event where his sheep fled and ended up on Jared Hess’ mother’s property.
Hess was assisting Critchlow with the return of his sheep at the time. Later, Hess is said to have offered the late farm owner the part of Lyle in Napoleon Dynamite. In an interview with EastIdahoNews.com, Critchlow commended the picture. He said,
“I thought it was kind of humorous in sections, and it was a little drawn out in a couple spots.” He did an excellent job.”
Critchlow is survived by his four children and grandkids, according to reports. Glenna Marie Hunsaker, his wife of nearly 49 years, died in 2008.
