Paul Constant Coolidge is the late father of an American character actress Jennifer Coolidge. His daughter is famously known for her character Tanya McQuiod in the HBO anthology series The White Lotus for which the actress received a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Jennifer first rose to fame after her supporting roles in the American Pie film series.
Besides, Paul himself was a navy who served in the armed force for four years. Further, Coolidge was a happily married man and was a father of four. As of now, Paul is no longer alive. He died in the year 2015. What was the cause of his death?
Let’s get to know everything about him in the article below!
Paul Constant Coolidge Was Born In 1921; His Early Life
Paul Constant Coolidge was born to parents John Templeman Coolidge IV and Susannah Cunningham in 1921 in Massachusetts, US. As of 2023, he is no longer alive in the world.
Talking about his early life, Paul spent most of his early days in his parent’s home in Canton, Norfolk, MA. He grew up alongside his siblings Susannah Jones, Gloria Meese, and John T. Coolidge.
He had a White ethnical background and was American by nationality.
Paul’s Educational Details: He Went To Harvard
As for education, the late celebrity father went to the Kent School. For higher studies, Paul enrolled in Harvard University and completed his study in the year 1942. About him being a Harvard student, his famous daughter Jennifer also mentioned while giving a speech at Harvard University in February 2023. She said,
“My dad went here (Harvard),” “I wish he was here.”
Paul Constant Coolidge Served In The Navy
After completing his Bachelor’s from Harvard, Paul joined the navy and served there for four years. Initially, he was a deck officer in the pacific theatre and later completed his tenure as a Lieutenant.
After returning back to home, Coolidge started a plastic business. He founded two companies that used to manufacture and sell synthetic raisins and electronic stuff. Apart from this, he was an active member of the North and South River Watershed Association and was hughly interested in environmental ethics.
Paul Constant Coolidge Was Husband To His Wife Gretchen Knauff
Paul was married to his wife Gretchen Knauff. His wife was the daughter of Paul August Knauff, a German-American, and Mildred Ann Adkisson, an Illinois native.
Moving on to their marriage, the information regarding when the couple tied the knot has not been revealed in the media. However, there is a probability that they exchanged their vows around the late 40s or early 50s. From their marriage, they welcomed four children together and remained with each other till the death of Gretchen.
Paul Constant Coolidge Is A Father Of Four
From his marriage, Paul welcomed his four children, three daughters Susannah Coolidge, Elizabeth Coolidge, and Jennifer Coolidge. He also was a father to a son named Andrew Coolidge.
His daughter Susannah is married to her husband Fred Diegel and they live in New Orleans. By profession, she works in the World Trade Centres. Further his son Andrew is husband to his wife Elizabeth and together they reside in Norwell. The detail about his daughter Elizabeth is not known as she has an incredibly private life while his other child Jennifer is a well-known actress in Hollywood.
Short Look On Paul’s Famous Daughter, Jennifer Coolidge
His daughter, Jennifer is an award-winning American actress. She was born on August 28, 1961, in Norwell, Massachusetts, and grew up with a dream to become an actress.

She first began with some small roles and supporting roles in the films like A Night at the Roxbury, A Bucket of Blood, and Plump Fiction. But her breakthrough role came in 1999 with her character of Stifler’s mom in a teen-sex comedy film American Pie.
Besides, Kennifer was also seen alongside renowned singer Ariana Grande in her music video for the song Thank U, Next.
Coolidge’s Daughter Jennifer Credit Him For Her Acting Career
In February 2023, Coolidge’s actress daughter attended the 2023 Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year ceremony at Harvard. While giving a speech, she remembered her late father Paul who was also a Harvard student.
In the ceremony, she revealed that her father was a great inspiration and a big supporter of her acting career. The Golden Globe Award-winning actress said that her dad motivated her to be an actress which at the time was surprising to her. She continued,
“He would bring people when I was in plays; he would bring relatives and whatever. He was so excited, which was so not him, “This would have been his dream come true.”
Paul Constant Coolidge Died In 2015; What Was The Cause Behind His Death?
As of 2023, it’s been already more than a half-decade since he left this living world. Paul died in the month of July 2015 at his residence in Norwell. At the time of his death, he was 92 years of age. He died naturally in his early 90s.
On the other hand, his beloved wife is also no longer alive. She died several years before the death of her husband Paul Constant Coolidge.
Paul’s Obituary And Grave
His obituary was published in The Norwell Mariner. Further, about his grave, there is no detail however, his body must have been buried in a cemetery in Massachusetts.