T-R FILE PHOTO From this Jan. 11, 2014 photo, Aiddy Phomvisay, former Marshalltown High School principal, left, is shown presenting the late Dale Paullin of Marshalltown an honorary MHS diploma at a special ceremony. Phomvisay said Paullin earned the degree because he had moved from Marshalltown at a young age, but had remained “a life long learner” and thereby exemplified other MHS graduates. Paullin said he was thrilled with the honor. “I’m proud to be a Marshalltonian today,” he said. Paullin, 93, passed away earlier this week at a local nursing home. He had a distinguished film and stage career.

A Marshalltown resident with extensive ties to Hollywood has died.

Dale Paullin, 93, passed away earlier this week at Grandview Nursing & Rehabilitation in Marshalltown.

He was born in Cedar Rapids but the family moved to Marshalltown.

At his mother’s urging, Paullin left school early to pursue a show business career.

Paullin’s stage name was Paul Dale.

The 32-inch man who was afflicted with pituitary dwarfism had a starring role in the 1950 “Warner Brothers film “It’s a Small World”, and later, “The Night They Saved Christmas.”

Additionally, he was a tap dancer and sang as a tenor and a soprano. During his career, Paullin periodically returned to Marshalltown to visit family and to appear as a guest star with the County Marshalls band as part of KFJB’s venerable “Barn Dance,” program performed live at the Coliseum (later renamed the Veterans Memorial Coliseum).

He would go on to play advertising roles of Lennie Lennox for the furnace manufacturer and as a backup to Phillip Morris’ cigarette boy, as well as selling appliances for Montgomery Ward, according to the Des Moines Register.

Paullin lived his final years between two local nursing homes.

“My deepest heartfelt sympathy to all of Dale’s family, friends, and fans,” wrote Nancy Warden on the Anderson Funeral Home tribute wall. “He was one special loving little man. I was so blessed to have spent a lot of time with Dale at the nursing homes and shopping.”

“I will always miss his singing in the morning,” wrote Kimi Banderas, LPN at Hawkeye Care Center. “He was my favorite to sing with ‘It’s a Small World.'”

A display of memorabilia from Paullin’s life and show business career is at the Historical Society of Marshall County museum, 202 E. Church St.