Twin Peaks Actress Catherine Coulson (AKA 'Log Lady') Dies At Age 71

Actress Catherine Coulson, famous for her role as “The Log Lady” on David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, died of cancer on Monday, September 28. She was 71 years old.

According to the LAist, “[Coulson] was supposed to reprise her role as Margaret Lanterman (AKA Log Lady) in the 2017 revival of Twin Peaks on Showtime.” Lynch confirmed the return of the show on May 15, 2015.

In a statement released Monday, Lynch expressed his profound sadness at the news of Coulson’s passing. Variety shares Lynch’s statement in its own report:

“Today I lost one of my dearest friends, Catherine Coulson. Catherine was solid gold. She was always there for her friends—she was filled with love for all people—for her family—for her work. She was a tireless worker. She had a great sense of humor—she loved to laugh and make people laugh. She was a spiritual person—a longtime TM meditator. She was the Log Lady.”

Coulson and Lynch became acquainted in 1971. She starred in his 1974 film short The Amputee and served as assistant director for Eraserhead, released in 1977. She offered little hints as to her character’s narrative arc in the revived show, but told the Wall Street Journal that Lynch “suggested [she] talk about sustainable forestry.”

Her log is preserved “in a ‘secure, undisclosed location’ with a humidifier” and remains in Lynch’s care.