Al Strobel, most famous for starring in David Lynch’s cult classic “Twin Peaks,” died Friday. He was 83 years old.
“Peaks” producer and longtime Lynch collaborator Sabrina Sutherland confirmed the actor’s passing in a statement.
“Through the darkness of future past and much sadness we say goodbye to Al Strobel,” she wrotein a statement on behalf of his family, according to TVLine. “He is an irreplaceable human being and will always be an important part of our ‘Twin Peaks’ family.”
As of yet, Strobel’s official cause of death has not been revealed.
Born in 1939 in Seattle, Washington, the dramatist is best known for playing the Phillip Gerard (aka “The One-Armed Man”) on David Lynch’s iconic ABC fantasy series “Twin Peaks.”
Strobel’s character was a traveling shoe salesman who was possessed by an evil entity that made him commit evil acts. In order to exorcise the demon, Gerard sliced off his own arm, earning the aforementioned moniker. Interestingly, Strobel lost his own arm in a car accident when he was just 17 years old.
The Seattle native appeared in all iterations of “Twin Peaks,” including the series’ original run starting in 1990, its 1992 film adaptation “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me,” and the series Showtime revival in 2017.
Strobel’s former collaborators and fans were devastated by his loss.
“Oh no…. Dear Al… as those of you lucky enough to have met him over the years, what a warm and wonderful gentleman he was. RIP, friend,” wrote “Twin Peaks” co-creator Mark Frost in a touching Twitter tribute.
Dana Ashbrook, who played Bobby Briggs in the series, Tweeted: “Sad , sad news…love Al. He was the sweetest of men. A wonderful story teller…:) and to watch him roll a one handed cigarette- pure magic:)”
“As authentic an actor as I ever met. So precise so real. RIP. Al,” added “Peaks” producer Harley Peyton.
Aside from his storied “Twin Peaks” stint, Strobel also appeared in the movies “Shadow Play,” “Sitting Target,” “Richochet River,” and the 1991 TV movie “Child of Darkness, Child of Light.”
