Actor Lenny Von Dohlen, best known for his role as Harold Smith in Twin Peaks, has died at 63. News of Von Dohlen’s passing was first shared by the actor’s sister, Catherine, in an emotional Facebook post last Thursday.
“The world lost a magnificent man on July 5. Brother Len was passionate about everything and everyone,” she wrote. “He was always leading; whether it be riveting conversation, an artistic creation or a trip to new places.”
“He loved a good laugh,” she continued, sharing a photo of the two smiling warmly together. “He continues on his spiritual journey. Living life full in his memory.”
Von Dohlen’s longtime manager Stephen J. Wolfe confirmed to People on Friday that the actor “died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles after a long illness.”
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The actor, who made his big-screen debut in 1984’s Electric Dreams alongside Bryan Cranston and Steve Buscemi, was known for his love of acting. “Above all,” Wolfe wrote in a statement. “Theater was his first love.” Other credits from his nearly four-decade career include Billy Galvin, Home Alone III, Tollbooth, and One Good Turn.
Von Dohlen is survived by his partner, playwright James Still; his mother, Gay Von Dohlen; his 21-year-old daughter Hazel, and his siblings Mary Gay, Catherine, and John David.
Von Dohlen’s Passing Follows Twin Peaks Co-Star’s Death
Von Dohlen’s death comes less than a month after news of the passing of Twin Peaks co-star, singer, and actress Julee Cruise. Cruise, who sang the show’s haunting theme “Falling” and appeared as a performer several times, died by suicide in early June. She was 65.
Twin Peaks quickly garnered critical acclaim and a cult following with its surreal imagery and tone. The show begins with the discovery of murdered prom queen Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee), and what begins as a routine FBI investigation into a series of similar deaths quickly takes a turn for the strange.
Twin Peaks ran for two seasons on ABC until its cancellation in 1991; the series would go on to spawn a feature film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, as well as a limited-series return on Showtime in 2017.
Von Dohlen joined the series in its second season as Howard Smith, a kind, agoraphobic orchid-keeper who befriended Laura before her death. He reprised his role for Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, though his character was not a part of the 2017 return.
