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United States Kyle MacLachlan is an acclaimed actor known for his distinctive work with director David Lynch and his versatile roles across film and television.
Appeared in a print ad, for Donna Karan clothing, with Linda Evangelista (1997).
In September 2025, MacLachlan launched his second podcast, What Are We Even Doing?, a weekly series in which he interviews younger actors and artists about their creative processes. Distributed by iHeartRadio’s Elvis Duran Podcast Network, the podcast has featured guests such as Kaia Gerber, Dylan O’Brien, Benito Skinner, and Caleb Hearon.
Born in Yakima, Washington, Kyle MacLachlan developed an early interest in acting through his mother’s involvement in local theater. He pursued his passion at the University of Washington, graduating with a BFA in drama in 1982. His career trajectory changed significantly when he was cast by director David Lynch in his feature film debut, “Dune” (1984), a major science fiction epic. Although “Dune” received a mixed critical response, it marked the beginning of a significant creative partnership between MacLachlan and Lynch.
This collaboration deepened with the critically acclaimed film “Blue Velvet” (1986), where MacLachlan starred as Jeffrey Beaumont. He then gained widespread recognition and a Golden Globe Award for his role as the eccentric FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper in Lynch’s iconic television series, “Twin Peaks” (1990–1991), a role he reprised in the prequel film “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me” (1992) and the limited series revival “Twin Peaks: The Return” (2017). Beyond his work with Lynch, MacLachlan has demonstrated a wide range, appearing in Oliver Stone’s “The Doors” (1991) as Ray Manzarek, playing the villain Cliff Vandercave in “The Flintstones” (1994), and starring in Paul Verhoeven’s “Showgirls” (1995), which later garnered a cult following. His television career also includes notable roles such as Trey MacDougal in “Sex and the City” (2000–2002), Orson Hodge on “Desperate Housewives” (2006–2012), and the Mayor of Portland in “Portlandia” (2011–2018).
In recent years, MacLachlan has continued to take on diverse projects, including voicing characters in Pixar’s “Inside Out” (2015, 2024) and its sequel, and portraying Franklin D. Roosevelt in “Atlantic Crossing” (2020). He also featured as Howard Baskin in “Joe vs. Carole” (2022) and Overseer Hank MacLean in the Amazon series “Fallout” (2024). In addition to his acting career, MacLachlan is a co-founder of “Pursued by Bear,” an acclaimed wine label, reflecting his varied interests and entrepreneurial spirit. He also launched an interview podcast, “What Are We Even Doing?”, in 2025, further engaging with the arts community.
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