Paul Bartel (1938-2000) was an actor, writer and director, best known for directing, writing, and starring in the 1982 black comedy Eating Raoul. He had a cameo in Follow That Bird, playing the cook at the Grouch-friendly Don't Drop Inn diner.
Bartel's other film appearances included Piranha, Into the Night, Gremlins 2, The Usual Suspects, and Ethan Hawke's Hamlet (one of his last films).