Life Lessons: How Dale Critchlow ended up in Napoleon Dynamite

Life is hard, stressful, fast-paced and can sometimes be overwhelming. That’s why EastIdahoNews.com is partnering with MorningStar Senior Living of Idaho Falls to bring you Life Lessons.
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.

[@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.

[@ThatCarGuy]

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

[@magicmaker15]

Yeah... Blasted its face off... Brutal.

[@yuvgotubekidding]

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

[@AceGoodheart]

One of my most favorite lines in the movie. They're just all standing around eating boiled eggs, or egg sandwich, or drinking egg yoke and just at random "Over there in that pig pen I found a couple of Shoshone arrowheads".

[@TheAdventurersLounge]

Shaw Cony it's a type of native american . I believe

[@ozonethegreat6948]

THANK YOU, always wondered lol

[@JH-qh4hr]

Its CREEKBED

[@troyconcessions8172]

@@TheAdventurersLounge it’s shoshone

[@Rachelroberts87]

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

[@rustytoolman4912]

My favorite quote from the whole movie! :)

[@Alniemi]

He definitely figured out the food situation for napoleon

[@adren0chr0me.]

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

[@marshie1337]

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

[@marshie1337]

@Ramen Lover he 💯

[@adamwaite2323]

My best friend (actor in the lostboys) told me I love you when I brought him dinner one day.(Never hearing that from a guy friend) I kinda blew it off. He stopped me and said If you don't tell the ones you love that you love them... How are they supposed to know? A few years later he passed away but I'll always follow his advice.

[@MyHackerPlace]

He reminds me of my grandpa and some of his friends. Yeah, that's time and experience you can't get later. Soak it up while you can and as much as you can.

[@user-up3ji1el8m]

Agreed. My grandmother lived on a farm and was from the same generation. They all talked like this back then. “Farm language”… miss my grandma

[@shayrealestatephotography]

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

[@RavnerRavner]

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

[@smartereveryday]

I really enjoyed this interview

[@GrantAmann]

You have one of the most uplifting channels on this website. Thanks for giving us an example of how people should act!

[@Jack-Land]

Dang fancy seeing you here. It’s a small world. Hope you’re doing well.

[@JM-yx1lm]

All I know is during his first part in the movie, I think he said something about finding an arrowhead over there somewhere.

[@firedragon7654]

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.

[@Mark-zd5dl]

Exactly 1 born again christian knows another.

[@rabbithole2015]

He truly is a great guy. I'm thankful to have him as an uncle.

[@elijahbrown5818]

@Jason, You do??

[@Dom-fx4kt]

@@rabbithole2015 RIP to him, heard he just passed on today

[@D5quared91]

Time will weather EVRYONE’S personal appearance down!

[@ElizabethaSara]

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

[@calebkelly5311]

If not the greatest & hilarious movie of All time

[@toddbob55]

God bless this man.

[@MsGhost87]

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 🙏🏼

[@sumhung5942]

Was that what he was saying in the movie?! 🤣

[@MsGhost87]

@@sumhung5942 It sure was 😆

[@MsGhost87]

@@sumhung5942 Mind you, I didn't figure it out until I watched the movie for the 3rd time 😂

[@eiffe]

I always thought it was "Over at that pig pen I found a couple Shoshoni arrowheads"

[@MsGhost87]

@@eiffe Hey, that actually sounds familiar, maybe I have the creek bed wrong or it was a deleted scene? IDK... I'll have to watch it again.

[@Callmenobody174]

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.

[@2girls1chuck38]

I really feel you eric. God bless our dear departed.

[@prairiepetresort1698]

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

[@andreacoats444]

Gotta love Nate!!

[@TampaJohn]

That was one of the coolest interviews 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.

[@SpinninBackfisted]

OverthereinthatcreekbadIfoundsomeshashonearrowheads. Thank you sir for the great job.

[@gypsyqueen411]

He was very funny in the movie.

[@blindriverstudios3516]

Yes, one of the best characters for sure

[@jackmehoff6302]

"Over there in that pig pen i found a couple shoshone arrowheads".... this guy was such a good find for the movie

[@ihatefrankiero]

He said creek bed

[@Caitecakess]

How sweet was this! What an Idaho legend!

[@yourmom2262]

He was hilarious- I liked when he was talking and eating at the same time 😆

[@marshallgraphic]

I still have no clue what his line was in that scene!

[@TheDadofThem]

What a sweet old man! “Nothin on here works smooth”. 😂

[@fryguyshvifty5]

This guy was awesome in this movie. His little scenes were some of my favorite parts :)

[@-Jersey-Shore-Girl-]

That movie is a classic!

[@Ojb_1959]

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

[@dustinharrison3491]

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

[@Roy_Boy4.1]

RIP sir. What a chill guy

[@barrygaming19]

I met him. He’s awesome

[@candythompson9863]

I love him so much. What a great gentleman.

[@whoohaaXL]

He adopted too!? What a kind soul. "Over there in that pigpen, I found some Shoshone Arrowheads". Best line in the movie hands down. Without closed captioning you have no idea what he's saying.👌

[@aaronf5346]

He doesnt say pigpen he says creek bed

[@sparkthelight6830]

I wish you good health and happiness Dale, family and friends around you. my grandma always said 'you have your health you have everything'. miss her so much, our Elder's are to be cherished ❤️ As always Nate thank you, your one of a kind.

[@HumanimalChannel]

What a lovely man Dale is. Non plussed abput ND Which was a fantastic movie

[@carolinafine8050]

It’s nonplussed..: and it means to opposite of how you’re using it

[@HumanimalChannel]

@@carolinafine8050 thanks presumptive text police I understand the (ridiculous) English language well; however, my phone does not. Who knows what I meant but I did not notice the change before posting With your help though- The internet is becoming a better, more enjoyable place. Thanks

[@sixstanger00]

"It pays to be daring." ~ Dale Critchlow

[@Billandmeggie]

I smiled all the way through this video. Bless his heart ♥️

[@Christieinthejourney]

This is a beautiful piece. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@lisakvieira9201]

Thank you Nate!! For thses wonderful stories in the morning!! Very refreshing!! Your great!! I love❣ your segments, keep them coming!! God🕊Bless this 90 year old man!! Good morning and thank you again🙏🇺🇸😊👍

[@douglasw9624]

Loved that part of the movie...Mom was from Idaho and Dale's part in ND brought back fond memories of some of Idaho kin I knew as a child.

[@surgicaltech8678]

I don’t know why but am crying crocodile tears watching him. Sweet sweet soul God Bless him.

[@treeleaf7808]

Hard to find a video more wholesome than that. ♥

[@WOZCINEMA]

Sweet old man! God bless him and his family.

[@blindriverstudios3516]

Wow, that was excellent. Dale is terrific in the Napoleon Dynamite. Nice to see him again.

[@baylee8659]

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 :)

[@GDuncan8002]

He stayed in character all those years, waiting for the sequel...

[@scottkessler9881]

Nice interview. RIP Dale..🙂🙏

[@rachela.5311]

This makes me miss my Pop so much

[@rocingersol5060]

I never watched ND past the closing credits, until yesterday. Holy shit, there is a wedding and this guy is officiating!

[@irishpanic]

Bro same. The first time I saw the wedding was a couple of days ago when I watched ND on KZbin

[@haydog]

Rest in Peace this Legend🙏🏻♥

[@westcoast7429]

Never knew I needed this! What an underrated channel!

[@myroastchicken]

seems like a sweet old man i just saw he passed away REST IN PEACE DALE

[@troywest]

This guy is just heartwarming

[@elonmust7470]

Love hearing the stories of old farmers & ranchers.

[@LandoBacon]

Rest in paradise. Someone who made my childhood what it was

[@porksqueezins5302]

I LOVE this man.

[@toyticanos5463]

What a sweet guy!

[@oneworld9071]

I think my two favorite comedy movies of all time are "Kentucky Fried Movie" and "Napoleon Dynamite" :) Years ago I worked for a fantastic produce stand here south of Baltimore. The produce was IMO 5-star; I'd pick up 30 or so bushels of cantaloupe at a farm across Chesapeake Bay. The "chicken man" would help load....... he was the elderly form of "Pigpen" from Charlie Brown cartoons, replete with the cloud of dust always swirling around him :) Guys like this cinematic gem Dale are, like Shemp Howard, the ones that make me wonder "what would this world be like without them?"

[@TheOriginalLexa]

This is so heartwarming! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Dale made this movie even better, and I hope he has always known just how special he is to so many people!

[@user-kn6sz8ji1j]

What a national treasure Dale is and he and his wife adopted some children. May God Bless him.

[@user-dc1mv5rd4n]

Thanks East Idaho News for this great interview and for showing the simple kindness of simple folk. Rest well, Lyle aka Dale Critchlow!

[@Rameus]

“Over there in that creek bend I found a couple of Shoshone Arrowheads”

[@valerief1231]

I wanted them to show a clip of Dale in the movie!

[@artico777]

He's awesome! Thanks for this

[@Angrath]

Aww I just want to hug him!

[@woodentulike2no]

This interview brought me to tears I'm not sure why but thank you so much this gentleman is a true Jewel

[@King42089]

Over there in that pigpen I found a couple of Shoshone arrowheads. RIP Dale thank you for the laughs.

[@IntelligentDiscussion]

Dang, had a son, adopted two, ran into this video while reminiscing about Napoleon Dynamite. I hope he is living his golden years well, this guy definitely deserves it. 💙

[@nevergiveup9560]

What a sweet fella . I bet he could tell some good stories . ..

[@Itdontmatter69]

What a awesome interview.

[@johnny-ko4mm]

Idaho state gem

[@joshuaGmartin2023]

i cant describe how much he reminds me of my grandfather. i loved him dearly

[@jc72outdoors]

Dale was a great man. If he reminds you of your grandfather, your grandfather must have been great as well. Dale is my uncle and he is greatly missed by many.

[@mikenew5380]

Not sure why, but this made me feel overwhelmingly thankful & yet sad at the same time. There’s something about the stories of someone that has lived so long that I find fascinating. I enjoyed this 🙏

[@shawnnixon2616]

A true Angel.. 😢😢 rip Dale, thank you for sharing yourself to the world. You're a gem

[@jc72outdoors]

He was the best. I miss my many talks I had with thus great man. He taught me many valuable life lessons.

[@sb1178]

I'm from egypt I had watched this movie since 2005 I loved it so much and after all this year's still one of best movies of all .... This interview really touching .. a real amazing kind man ..each one had share acting in this movie just leave a touch with smile in my heart ... Thanks for this video God bless you all

[@joshuam4895]

Such a pure soul

[@mzshastalibra4705]

thank you for this. from WI.

[@leestephens1]

You did an outstanding job interviewing that guy. You showed patience and respect. I’ve done many interviews for video projects. Way to go!!

[@CristoferVidz]

He never got out of character! Wow 😯

[@danielpinkowski4890]

Thanks for including jangly acoustic guitar tracks over his voice, and no subtitles. "Howd you end up in the movie?" "Welllliiiuuuhhehhhavesheepandiiuhhheehhhaaannddduuhehehhhh...."

[@cjp592]

Dale, please take care! Love from California.

[@charley1359]

Great interview! 💜💜💜💜

[@Debraj1978]

Love Napolean Dynamite from India.

[@Debraj1978]

@Chadfield Clapsaddle I: I don't understand a word you just said. You:

[@marcostapiz3568]

What a neat man. Thanks for sharing this!

[@upcyclebob692]

Thankyou Darryl. legend . a good person

[@cowboyandhorse7]

I'd be so fortunate to be as good a man as Dale is in this life. Bless him :)

[@Clayton11789]

I LOVE HIM SO MUCH

[@Sparky5]

Here I thought he was just acting but that's how he really is. Respect.

[@emissaryofcharybdis105]

He was preparing his whole life for that role.

[@briantruitt5218]

Wow - That was kinda cool. Great interview.

[@freddyfreddy42]

Awesome guy ! My favorite part of the movie

[@Mr.Apples956]

Best favorite man

[@janjackson7732]

How wonderful is this???!! N.D. remains in my top five favorite movies and he's certainly central to the great writing and humor. What a great guy. I'm sure he's got so many wonderful stories. Thanks for this interview!

[@GeoAce777]

2nd funniest film after Better Off Dead ⛷️🚴‍♂️😉

[@chardem.5743]

This was so wholesome

[@drew32]

R.I.P. Dale!

[@ilovecontroversy6940]

this was actually so wholesome.

[@vihockeyguy1]

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

[@stevedv629]

That was a cool little piece

[@alexcruz2631]

This made my day

[@danchanda]

Best movie ever made.

[@cherylbarnard5621]

I agree!!

[@brittherself]

Thanks algorithm I really enjoyed that

[@OPAIK]

When he points to the mountain range during lunch and murmurs something about a arrowhead was my favorite scene of the whole movie

[@missmodern]

Nate, you're the best interviewer! From Lori Dingbell to this cool dude, you nail it every time!!!!