Actor Kyle MacLachlan has opened up about his decades-long friendship and creative partnership with director David Lynch. In his new memoir, Fictional Selves, MacLachlan reflects on his unconventional path in Hollywood and his collaborations with Lynch, who passed away in January 2025. MacLachlan says that working with Lynch was a unique experience, and that the director's presence always made him feel at ease.
MacLachlan's collaboration with Lynch began in 1984 with the film Dune, an adaptation of the science fiction novel. At the time, MacLachlan was just 23 and had barely graduated from drama school. He went on to star in Lynch's 1986 film Blue Velvet and 1990 TV series Twin Peaks, cult classics that explore strange characters in unsettling places.
In his memoir, MacLachlan describes his role as Lynch's "submersible" into dark places. He says that he was tasked with maintaining an innocence in these worlds, which often got "singed." MacLachlan's experiences playing complex characters, including a psychopath in Twin Peaks: The Return, have left him with a deep understanding of the human psyche.
MacLachlan also discusses his personal connections with his co-stars, including Laura Dern, with whom he fell in love during the filming of Blue Velvet. He says that Dern was "magical" and that their on-screen chemistry was mirrored in real life. Lynch, it seems, was pleased with the development, recognizing that it added to the film's authenticity.
The actor also shares his experiences working with Dennis Hopper, who played a deranged villain in Blue Velvet. MacLachlan describes Hopper as charming and delightful off-set, but terrifying when in character. He says that he was often in shock during their scenes together, and that Hopper's performance was incredibly convincing.
MacLachlan has also reflected on his own aging process, saying that he is happy with the way his face has changed over time. He believes that men have an easier time aging than women, but is grateful to have his son as motivation to stay fit.
The interview, which was conducted by Terry Gross, provides a unique insight into MacLachlan's life and career. His memoir, Fictional Selves, is a testament to his experiences working with Lynch and his own personal growth as an actor.
Key points
- Kyle MacLachlan's new memoir, Fictional Selves, offers a behind-the-scenes look at his collaborations with David Lynch.
- MacLachlan describes his role as Lynch's "submersible" into dark places, exploring complex characters in films like Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks.
- The actor reflects on his personal connections with co-stars, including Laura Dern, and his experiences working with Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet.
