Lenny Von Dohlen, who starred in the film Electric Dreams and appeared on Twin Peaks, is dead at age 63

• e-mail

Lenny Von Dohlen, the actor who played the agoraphobic hermit Harold Smith on Twin Peaks, has died at age 63.

Von Dohlen's death was first announced by his sister Catherine Von Dohlen in a Facebook post on Thursday, and his agent subsequently confirmed his death to Variety.

'The world lost a magnificent man on July 5. Brother Len was passionate about everything and everyone. He was always leading; whether it be riveting conversation, an artistic creation or a trip to new places. He loved a good laugh. He continues on his spiritual journey. Living life full in his memory,' Catherine wrote. 

Film and TV actor: Lenny Von Dohlen, the actor who played the agoraphobic hermit Harold Smith on Twin Peaks, has died at age 63; seen in 2014 in LA

Von Dohlen appeared on four episodes of Twin Peaks, as well as in co-creator David Lynch's spin-off film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, which served as both a prequel and a sequel of sorts to the series, which was revived in 2017 for an acclaimed third season.

His character Harold was an acquaintance of Laura Palmer, whose mysterious murder set the series in motion. 

The character gave her secret diary to him for safe-keeping, but when her friends tried to steal it to aid the investigation, his arc ended on a dark note.

Harold hanged himself, leaving a note in French that read, 'I have a lonely soul.'

Striking portrayal: Von Dohlen appeared as Harold Smith in Twin Peaks (pictured) and its spin-off film Fire Walk With Me. He kept the diary of the murdered Laura Palmer. He hanged himself after her friends stole it to aid the investigation

Comedy role: Von Dohlen's most prominent film role was probably his 1984 science fiction rom-com Electric Dreams (pictured)

Von Dohlen's most prominent film role was probably his 1984 science fiction rom-com Electric Dreams, in which he played an architect who becomes enmeshed in a love triangle as his computer — which has become sentient after a malfunction — vies with him for the affections of a female cellist who lives next door.

The actor might be best known to younger viewers for playing one of the hapless villains in the 1997 sequel Home Alone 3, which did not feature original star Macaulay Culkin.

According to IMDb, Von Dohlen's most recent roles prior to his death were in the short film Creator (2022) and the feature For The Weekend (2020).

The actor was born in Augusta, Georgia, on December 22, 1958, and he was subsequently raised in a small South Texas town.

He later graduated from Loretto Heights College in Denver, Colorado, and he studied theater at the University of Texas. 

Kid's movie: The actor might be best known to younger viewers for playing one of the hapless villains in the 1997 sequel Home Alone 3, which did not feature original star Macaulay Culkin

After finishing his studies, Von Dohlen moved to New York City to pursue theatre roles. 

He got his first television role in 1981 on the series Kent State, and two years later he made his first film appearance in Tender Mercies, which earned Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay and for Best Actor for its star, Robert Duvall. 

In 2010, Von Dohlen made a special guest appearance on USA's Psych for the episode Dual Spires, which was a tribute to Twin Peaks.

He played Sheriff Andrew Jackson — the original series features a Sheriff Harry S. Truman — while several other Twin Peaks actors made guest appearances, including Sheryl Lee, who played the murdered Laura Palmer, as well as her nearly identical cousin.

Von Dohlen's other TV appearances included stints on Miami Vice, Tales From The Darkside, The Equalizer, Thirtysomething, The Flash, Red Dwarf, Picket Fences, Walker, Texas Ranger, The Pretender and CSI: Miami, among many others.

Throwback: In 2010, Von Dohlen made a special guest appearance on USA's Psych for the episode Dual Spires, which was a tribute to Twin Peaks

Tribute: He played Sheriff Andrew Jackson while several other Twin Peaks actors made guest appearances, including Sheryl Lee; (L–R) Twin Peaks actors Robyn Lively, Dana Ashbrook and Von Dohlen