LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Tributes poured in from across the acting world this weekend after 'Twin Peaks' star Al Strobel died at 83.
Strobel was best known for playing Philip Michael Gerard or The One-Armed Man in the original 'Twin Peaks' series as well as the 2017 sequel series on Showtime. The acclaimed actor hadn't appeared in any movies or TV shows since reprising his role for the franchise. The news of his demise was confirmed by Sabrina Sutherland, who produced 'Twin Peaks' and the David Lynch film Inland Empire. However, no cause of death was revealed and it was unclear at this time if he was battling health issues.
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Sutherland posted on Facebook Sunday, December 4, I am sad to have to post that Al Strobel passed away last night. I loved him dearly.
According to Variety, the producer also released a statement honoring the late star. Through the darkness of future past and much sadness we say goodbye to Al Strobel. He is an irreplaceable human being and will always be an important part of our Twin Peaks family, it read.
Born in Seattle in 1939, Strobel lost his left arm following a car crash at the age of 17. He subsequently started performing at the University of Oregon in the 1970s and reportedly co-founded the organization 'Church of the Creative'. The actor filmed footage of a 1972 Grateful Dead concert in Veneta, Oregon, which was eventually used in a documentary film 'Sunshine Daydream'. He made his acting debut in the 1986 thriller film 'Shadow Play' alongside Dee Wallace and Cloris Leachman. Strobel landed the role of Philip Michael Gerard aka. Mike aka. The One-Armed Man in 'Twin Peaks' on its debut in 1989. His character was a traveling shoe salesman possessed by a spirit that would make him commit despicable acts, according to the Daily Mail.
However, at some point, Mike underwent a spiritual awakening. To repent for his misdeeds, he cut off his own arm which had a tattoo reading 'Fire Walk With Me' which indicated he was touched by 'The devilish one.' Mike was notably featured in surreal dream sequences with Kyle MacLachlan's Agent Cooper. It's worth noting that Strobel appeared in both seasons of the original series, along with the 1992 film 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me', the 2014 film 'Twin Peaks: Missing Pieces' and finally in the 2017 Showtime series. The veteran performer also appeared in films such as 1990's 'Sitting Target' and 'Megaville', 'Ricochet River', and the TV movie 'Child of Darkness, Child of Light.'
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Strobel's 'Twin Peaks' collaborators paid tributes to the late actor on social media. Mark Frost, the show's co-creator, tweeted, 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. Dana Ashbrook, who played Bobby Briggs in the series, chimed in, Sad, sad news…love Al. He was the sweetest of men. Producer Harley Peyton offered, As authentic an actor as I ever met. So precise so real. RIP. Al.