Kyle MacLachlan Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters | GQ

[@edabakb]

A gravely underrated actor.

[@SpaceCattttt]

That depends on what you mean by underrated. He's not underrated by those who watch thestuff he's in. And aren't they the ones who matter? I'd rather have one serious fan who understands and appreciates the workthat I do, than an ocean full of screaming girls or whatever.

[@heymonalisacani6795]

@@SpaceCattttt truth. Clearly he has a decent fanbase cuz we're all here.

[@orgasmicdave]

teppolundgren under the radar

[@kkdream99]

He’s not underrated wtf

[@Vincent1808]

👍

[@russell28533]

"David, I never left Twin Peaks." Yeah Kyle, a lot of us haven't left either. Thanks for taking us along the ride.

[@hayberdasher8625]

Dale! I'm in the Great Northern. By the fireplace. I saw You talking about us on...a Tube?

[@judsongaiden9878]

Great coffee there. Why leave?

[@Scizzors512]

Time stamp?

[@timo4258]

I would like but I cant ruin 666 likes

[@aadityabhattacharya]

He is the FBI

[@dasninjastix]

Agent Cooper will forever be my favorite character in all of Television history. The sincerity and genuine enlightened humanity of that character has been etched into my conscience as a permanent reminder to act ethically, professionally, and always with a sense of compassion. A brilliant character portrayal by MacLachlan, legendary in my estimation. Cooper is iconic in large part because of the Kyle's charm and deftness as an actor.

[@John-mf1sz]

Amen brother.

[@NuclearCarnivore]

I am with you. He taught me how to behave when you are an outsider in a new place

[@vazzeg]

Makes sense that he was so fond of Albert and Albert of Cooper. That speech Miguel Ferrer did on pacifism always breaks my heart on re-watches. He passed all too soon.

[@Roborron]

Absolutely agree 😀

[@krzysztofp516]

I agree with what you wrote for me too Dale Cooper is one of the best characters ever to put to screen

[@HunterW.Photography]

Whenever he quotes David Lynch I can hear it in his voice

[@resofactor]

Coop!?!

[@targard.quantumfrack6854]

Reso Factor You meant "COOP!?!"

[@PickleSurpriseVEVO]

OREGON!

[@catherinecolwell8939]

Dynamite we all do, we all do...

[@amun1040]

COULD YOU SPEAK UP PLEASE

[@jmathews4765]

Kyle will always be Agent Cooper to me

[@robyortichella7412]

For me too. Forever

[@martinarreola64]

Yes

[@janhelfers9068]

thumbs up !

[@gertrude8883]

AND Mister Jackpot ! :))

[@NeverSaySandwich1]

@@gertrude8883 Helllooooooo

[@Cityheart221]

A very underrated actor. It's so refreshing that he can recall what he learned with each experience. He sounds appreciative of all his roles including those that he felt didn't turn out great. So classy. I'd hire him.

[@SmokeymcJoint420]

MacLachlan is a total class act.

[@honeypower]

Kyle's role in season 3 of Twin Peaks was the highlight of his career by far, amazing.

[@bass6309]

You get a like for that Tremolo EP picture

[@redjakOfficial]

Dale Cooper is one of my favourite fictionnal character ever.

[@tuber00009]

Me too

[@sydhamelin1265]

David Lynch and Kyle Maclachlan together, man what a great combination. I've never seen an interview with him before; he seems awesome!

[@hopelessent.1700]

David Lynch is really cool. I like the video of Lynch’s opinion on watching movies via telephone

[@JackieBorelli]

"Kale! you're gonna be great!" bless David.

[@amparonarbona5142]

Both David and Kyle should be inmortals

[@embracethemystery]

a bit of trivia some may find interesting: the man playing Kyle's assistant to the Mayor in Portlandia, is the real Portland mayor.

[@jechiquim]

why does David call him Kale hahaha

[@dangerousshoes]

It could just be Lynch's accent. He's got a particular way of speaking, especially when he was younger.

[@MrRandomerz]

@@jechiquim in another interview, he said it was because someone on production mispronounced his name. So David just used it as a nickname. I think I have that right, late response if it hasn't already been googled.

[@Joe-hc1bz]

He looks fantastic for 59.

[@leadvendor]

59?!?! Wow.

[@SirJamesthePaul]

It’s the coffee.

[@trancetuberevived1131]

Yes, beautiful duck lips

[@SiddharthSinghFiery69]

@@leadvendor Wow Bob Wow

[@Underyourbedeyes]

not really. He looks like it. His face is sinking in with age. Especially when you see him in his prime, you can tell.

[@Yupppi]

I can't believe how good he was in Twin Peaks. It was like... A real person despite being completely surrealistic caricature of a person. So full of flavor.

[@gdelan1]

after watching this, i'm thinking that Kyle and Jeff Goldblum should do a movie together

[@nicoleparreira1024]

George Delaney like like like

[@Theomite]

TO KICKSTARTER, PEOPLE!!!!

[@rebekahp4083]

Dear god yes

[@dimitreze]

yes and Ted Danson (the TV budget Jeff Goldblum)

[@film79]

They have, Mad Dog Time. But another one would be nice.

[@Squantanamo]

Dale Cooper is perhaps the greatest character in all of fiction due in no small part to Kyle's masterful acting.

[@shiivainu9442]

What an incredible guy. I just binged Twin Peaks last month, after hearing so much about it. Finished The Return 2 days ago. It's a show that will remain in my heart forever and you can bet there are hundreds of people who feel the same. David Lynch and Kyle are really something. Time to watch Blue Velvet.

[@demonduckofdoom7635]

It disturbs me deeply that the shows are not presented in chronological order...

[@profilenamehello]

I know; they started with Dune and I wasn't sure if that or Blue Velvet came first...then they went to Flintstones I was indignant that they skipped past Blue Velvet AND Twin Peaks.

[@Mmxxaamm]

Thank god for this comment, same here bro

[@1chiTheKiller]

I kinda thought the same thing too.

[@alexis_electronic]

They want to stretch it out because they know that's why you came and they want you to watch the whole thing.

[@lefat4697]

you sound like one very disturbed boy

[@Cuppamilky]

I know we got David Duchovny in Twin Peaks as Denise but how cool would it have been for a mini crossover episode of Dale Cooper helping Mulder and Scully out on a case

[@oldhatcinema]

I've said that before too!

[@blakeandcamp]

One of the best actors ever, and he doesn't get enough recognition. I'll watch anything with Kyle in it. He always gives a great performance.

[@joshl3868]

He deserved 3 Emmys for Twin Peaks: The Return

[@TheAwetist802]

Can you imagine what a hoot it would have been to see him accept as himself/Coop, Dougie Jones, and Mr C.? That would have been *perfection*.

[@bigchungus8287]

Possibly four Emmy’s if your counting Richard

[@clairbear1234]

Jade give two rides!

[@phillipakhzar9047]

"I was looking for a job" - opening statement about Flinstones XD XD XD

[@jamesprovost2602]

Phillip Akhzar what an amazing Job to land always being a part of Cinema History lol

[@Uncle_Smidge]

Whatever your thoughts on Dune, Kyle's fabulous hair deserved an Oscar.

[@TheWisestWizards]

Kyle not even getting nominated for an Emmy for Twin Peaks Season 3 is such a joke.

[@shaneharrington3655]

YES. Idiots.

[@GreasyMcNasty]

"Starting position."

[@jdog7797]

There Assholes! Twin Peaks is the best they are quack pots!!!

[@DMalltheway]

Really played 4 different characters if you think about it and killed it!!!

[@nouprajy]

We will have a jihad in his name

[@supergeeky7529]

Cooper will for ever be one of my favorite characters of all time. Period. He's so charming and innocent.

[@HotStrange]

Mr. Jackpots is a great actor.

[@beatdude1197]

HELLOOO

[@chazizphat]

@@beatdude1197😂😂

[@NeverSaySandwich1]

Dale Cooper, possibly the best television character of both the 20th and 21st century

[@anubisrapture992]

He always shines under David Lynch - what a team.

[@watchdog304]

Twin Peaks(all of it) is one of those rare shows that once you experience it, you will judge every other show by it. Even when you aren't really trying to. It's that good.

[@friendlyworm420]

The way he explains his acting methodology for Blue Velvet is spot-on.

[@tenkenroo]

Nothing will beat dale cooper saying “I am the fbi” in season 3 of twin peaks. This guy is extremely subtle with his acting and able to just radiate positive energy

[@luisburgos2811]

no spoilers bro

[@tkohearn5645]

I got chills when he said that! The hood kind❤️

[@swifty1147]

He may be the most quaintly pleasant celebrity I've ever seen.

[@kartikmann_]

quiantly is the word

[@TomGallagherSuperboyBeyond]

i'm glad he's not ashamed of The Flintstones. It was my favorite film around the age of 7. Still has a special place in my heart.

[@jamesprovost2602]

Tom Gallagher Same lolz

[@ezekel.4656]

Me too! It was my first intro to him!

[@lunablue7984]

When u fall in love with the young actor in twin peaks so hard that it dosen't even matter to you that he's 60 now 😌😍😻💕💖💋

[@sotyfan73]

I guess it helps he's barely aged haha

[@mordaciousfilms]

He should get an award just for being ridiculously likable and such a charming dude. That's enough, and then there's his acting! :)

[@kathydockins4304]

I have had a crush on "Kale" since I saw him play Romeo and Octavius at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 1982. He is brilliant in everything he does and always has been. His wine's good, too!

[@kg30004]

Absolutely love how so many people discuss Dune existing in their mind for years

[@ozzyg82]

I’m currently half way through Twin Peaks. It’s the best thing ever!

[@ThreadBomb]

Original series? It's great until they solve the mystery in the second season. Then you might as well just skip to the finale.

[@ozzyg82]

Thread Bomb yeah, the original 👍🏻

[@andrewlewis414]

Keep watching through the 2nd season. You’ll get more out of Project Blue Book/Blue Rose, which’ll come back in The Return (especially with Phillip Jeffries).

[@horeacernucan1967]

How's Annie?

[@afonsosousa2684]

@@ThreadBomb It only meanders for a few episodes after the killer's capture. It gets back on track not long after that.

[@ytuser_3122]

I got into Twin Peaks in 2020 and my god, Kyle MacLachlan is such an amazing actor! He’s one of my favorite actors and it’s such a treat to see him pop up in a movie or tv show.

[@nomecognome8737]

it's incredible how he manages to always be the coolest guy in the room in Twin Peaks and it doesn't even look like he's trying or his character is written to be that. Such an amazing actor. in Blue Velvet he's possibly the total opposite and he still puts on a great performance.

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

My goodness he is such a charming and self-effacing man. I can see why Lynch loves him - he's just the All-American boy.

[@douglasdiggins8296]

"I never really left Twin Peaks...' Niether have I Kyle, niether have I.

[@OnafetsEnovap]

None of us have. :)

[@lapsijahti]

*Kale

[@douglasdiggins8296]

@@lapsijahti *Rosemary

[@superman8109]

The first thing I remember Kyle MacLachlan in was "The Flintstones" as Cliff Vandercave!!

[@syroco]

His Agents of SHIELD appearance was really, really well done.

[@probablyaparent]

GQ, you're excluding a large audience when you don't include subtitles for your videos. I enjoy both your videos and the actors featured, unfortunately I'm partially deaf and miss a lot of what is spoken by your guests. Please consider adding closed captioning/subtitles. Please.

[@lydiaa9594]

There are subtitles, at least now

[@probablyaparent]

Lydia A I only see an option for auto generated and those are quite wacky in their interpretations.

[@HotStrange]

I agree but there should be an option to disable them as well for people that don’t need them and want to see the entire screen.

[@vaclav_fejt]

@@HotStrange There is always that option.

[@lloydrodriguez9969]

@@HotStrange Ben is not talking about subtitles that are part of the movie and always on screen. I'm pretty sure some channels offer their own CC options which are more accurate than what the KZbin's oft wonky auto-generated CC options can offer.

[@nickrigdon8883]

If anything bad ever happens to this man I will lose my mind

[@williamwoodcock7903]

I know Kyle's two brothers very well. They are two of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. Haven't had a chance to meet Kyle but he seems very much like them. What a great interview

[@MaiconFirmiano]

HE WAS ROBBED OF AN EMMY!!

[@MaxPowers1245]

Maicon Firmiano if your talking about Twin Peaks the return you’re totally right the Emmys clearly haven’t a clue.

[@basti_marr]

Dude the Emmys are dookie!

[@FreakieFan]

and a Globe. His performance in The Return is one of the best ever

[@HotStrange]

Maicon Firmiano Yeah that was one of the best TV performances possibly of all time. Definitely deserved it.

[@brandonsamano7428]

Haut Strange Nope

[@Maesolmese]

It's a tiny thing, but I love Kyle's shirt. What a lovely high collared cut! He's always been stylish.

[@lefat4697]

He was dating Linda Evangelista ( the definition of a SUPERMODEL )

[@anubisrapture992]

His perfect hair is iconic. Lol. Plus the coffee is not the only thing that's HOT.( Sorry) 😂😂He DID get cheated out of more than one Award!!!!!

[@twelvechimesitsmidnightpod]

Wow he was so surprisingly terrifying as Mr. C. When you can go 180, that's the sign of a great actor. Love this guy!

[@ste118]

I love so much the story he tells at 9:55. That exact scene of Cooper smiling at angry Bobby made me think "wow, this character is great!".

[@watchdog304]

Agent Dale Cooper is arguably(or not) the single greatest character in the history of television.

[@WHR17]

Saying he has had a diverse career is an understatement!!! Not a lot of actors will talk about the unsuccessful films they have been in. Have to admire someone who can do that.

[@NastyaKireeva]

I love him as Orson in Desperate Housewives! His character (especially when he first appeared) is just amazing! ❤️

[@keepXonXrockin]

He's so likable.

[@stormblessed2321]

MacLachlan walks into coffee shop, barista sweats profusely.

[@steveforrester7653]

Personally, I think Kyle would have been an ideal choice for Tony Stark. While Downey embraced the role, Kyle would most likely have exuded a more distinguished ane perhaps a more serious potrayal according to the source material.

[@kemojoaquin]

Steve Forrester I think he would make a better Bruce Banner.

[@SirJamesthePaul]

Steve Forrester I like to believe there’s an alternate universe where David Lynch directed a dark reimagining of Superman in the 80’s called “Krypton” with MacLachlan as Superman, Sean Young as Lois Lane, Juergen Prochnow as Jor-El, and Dennis Hopper as Lex Luthor.

[@SoWachuWan]

He'd be a great Mr. Fantastic

[@aksayinishah2509]

He's already in the mcu as Mr Hyde (Calvin Zabo)

[@antidoteify]

@@SirJamesthePaul wow what a cast!

[@marlo8528]

Orson Hodge...only because I just watched Desperate housewives on hulu.

[@FanofAlmostEvery]

Marlo that’s all I see

[@Boyzby]

I've only really seen him in Twin Peaks, so he's probably always going to be Special Agent Dale Cooper to me. The guy is so charming, I just have to go through his filmography now.

[@jeffkyler5660]

It was a tiny film but one his best performances was in The Hidden. Fine science Fiction film too.

[@skijumpnose]

That scene in the pool in Showgirls = Iconic

[@zer00rdie]

Dale Cooper beats everything.

[@lct8954]

Oscar worthy performance

[@ronage6514]

This man is HARD to dislike!!! Man, this man is a grade-A class act! Such a professional, humble, candid. Probably a cool guy to hang out with. My first Muad'dib!

[@rhiannongoguen4569]

Such a dapper, intelligent , and versatile actor ❤️ also he barely ages

[@pauljohnson7548]

I'm glad that so many people in the comments are giving shout-outs to The Hidden. I didn't realize so many people were aware of that movie, which is freaking awesome.

[@aurorawu6080]

I love The Hidden soooo much! Even this movie is more than ten years older than me, it is still one of my favorite.

[@ianmcbee6709]

Love twin peaks. His Agents of Shield appearance is quite amazing. He brings so much depth to his character and really brings it to life on a show where, to be quite honest, the plot twists and action dominate over storytelling. I agree, very underrated.

[@marcelltoing8363]

He kind of had to play four roles in Twin Peaks 2017 - Cooper, Mr C, Dougie, and amnesiac Cooper as Dougie

[@kristimccabe8288]

The Twin Peaks original series, The Return and the Twin Peaks movie "Fire Walk With Me" are in my top three all time favorites.. i just love them and I'm constantly rewatching the series, both original and the return, and I watch the movie at least once a month.

[@dluelmo]

I’m giggling through this. So many fantastic roles that pop up. I love every character he’s played. And he makes a great mayor 🥰

[@mr.goodwill2256]

TWIN PEAKS ... TWIN PEAKS ... TWIN PEAKS... and TWIN PEAKS!!!!! he'll always be cooper for life. thank u sir for endless rewatchings of original series.

[@valariediane6490]

He looks like such a huggable man. I wanna give him a hug.

[@bernlin2000]

I think Twin Peaks was the first TV series to elevate TV drama to the level of film, it's that groundbreaking. In a world of Netflix and HBO, that seems completely normal, but it was completely revolutionary in an era where Cheers was the number 1 TV show.

[@ophelia.artaud]

You are spot on. So many shows owe a debt to Twin Peaks, including Lost and The Sopranos

[@monk3742]

Such a talented man.

[@sdidora5]

One of my favourites!

[@JamesPawson]

He was actually a fan of Frank Herbert's book _Dune?_ Now I love Kyle, and the Lynch movie, even more-- if that was even possible.

[@ThreadBomb]

It is an underrated, visionary movie. So glad they didn't skip it.

[@pditties]

As a kid I loved the movie Dune then i get to college in the mid-90s and find another version of it. The box office release was 136 minutes long the other version is 178 mins long and is great. If you can find it watch it.

[@Casket1488]

I really like Kyle and think he’s very talented. I really enjoyed him in Twin Peaks his character Dale Cooper has a likable quality to him.

[@jrdeborja0000]

this is the first i watched where someone actually honestly said the movie they did was a hit to their career.

[@mdot2213]

I love how blunt he is about Showgirls.

[@alylopez3721]

So intelectual as an actor, not too many people can talk about acting in such a way

[@IdioticGeek]

Should have let him discuss The Hidden. Fantastic movie.

[@adamarens3520]

IdioticGeek please elaborate! What’s it about? No spoilers please 😊

[@emanuelmartinez2597]

An FBI agent (Kyle MacLachlan) and a homicide detective (Michael Nouri) hunt the current human host of an orally exchanged alien life-form. Worth the watch!

[@erikkillmonger5624]

IdioticGeek I was thinking the exact same thing. I LOVE that movie and Kyle as Lloyd Gallagher is almost a messiah figure the way he plays that character. Brilliant!

[@fictionnation]

He mentioned that he really liked that movie, but it didn't make it in the cut.

[@adamarens3520]

All right y’all thanks for the replies! Im gonna check it out 👍

[@DylanisHere04]

What about his brilliant performance as the Captain!

[@anastasyakurochkina9560]

yes! i wanted to hear about that role, it's actually the first time that I saw Kyle, as the Captain!

[@satt2932]

OMG. THE CAPTAIN !! HIMYM!!!

[@makenah5466]

Ahoy!

[@anastasyakurochkina9560]

@Jam haha for me it was vice versa. maybe in the middle of the first twin peaks episode I realised Cooper is young Captain :) and I was like o la la Captain is HOT!:D

[@blameitonyaboi]

i've been waiting for this one. He's the perfect actor for this kind of break down.

[@gyloir]

Wish he talked about The Hidden, that's one of his best roles imo.

[@TheNoMan23]

I guess this is my new favorite actor. I just love everything about him; his charisma, his boyish behavior, his good-looking. Of course his collaboration with Lynch is, by far, the best thing in my life!

[@paulinat3202]

So I have watched this interview again. Kyle is so enchating to listen to. I love that he says his acting was genuine because of all the other actors performance. So humble. Then you see him in a movie and it strikes you how amazing he is. Twin Peaks 3 is a masterpiece up to the point that I used to forget that Mr C and Dougie was played by the same person.

[@simonboccanegra3811]

There was a long time when I felt he did not get his due for being as good as he is. Even when something he was in, like Blue Velvet, got rave reviews, the praise would be more for the film or the show itself than for his performance. Maybe because he has a very steady presence, and he was sometimes sharing the screen with more flamboyant performers (Hopper and Rossellini in Blue Velvet, for example). But I think now, in his fifties, people are waking up and seeing how consistently good he's been.

[@TheGreenGentlewoman]

I was scared y’all weren’t going to include Showgirls. Absolutely iconic trash.

[@thesea7965]

Hahahha so true.

[@TheDresen12]

this could've go on forever, I'd be listening to him all the time ... what a classy guy

[@hollywoodshopaholic]

Such a class act. I can see why he and Marcia Cross got along so well

[@devindelgatti9214]

His best role will always be cooper 😞 him and audrey were the cutest💕

[@kierans5583]

I just finished twin peaks S1+2 and wow Kyle Maclachlan is so talented. Cooper has to be one of the best characters of all time

[@tylerf.145]

It was such a trip finding out Kyle wrote and performed music w my grandmas friend at church. And my dad sang in the symphony w him as well. Small world, man.

[@Wakeupdream]

Fantastic Actor. Dune, blue velvet, twin peaks

[@mitch8419]

Kyle starred in a little known sci-fi actioner, The Hidden, 1987. Saw it in the theater. Terrific 80s flick!

[@brooklynyte]

He seems like such a likeable guy. I'm 35 and I only just found Twin Peaks and I'm loving it. He definitely aged with grace, I hope I'm that good looking at his age.

[@nickchambers3935]

I love how casually he mentions that he learned Ray Manzarek’s keyboard parts by ear. I mean that’s no small feat

[@kuribo1]

Did he and his brother Jeff Goldblum get seperated at birth? They both have this extremely chill way of talking that is relaxing.

[@memmermiller]

kuribo1, I had the same thought!

[@leob4403]

Except Goldblum tries to be funny all the time and this guy is more normal

[@ronage6514]

Agree!!! Like, somebody you can hang out with!

[@arradlam]

The Hidden. One of the sleeper sci-fi classic hits of the 80s,adrenaline plus. Cool

[@lukewarm1403]

"OMG This is awful....You watch the first scene and, alright, it's not so good but it's got to get better. You watch the second, mmm, not getting any better. I watched the whole thing and...I don't know what to say about this movie. I don't think I can talk about this movie." hahahahaha

[@Gourgandise]

He's so lovable! You can see in Cooper that his personality is in the background. Empathetic and humble.

[@RobVespa]

What happened to The Hidden? This is a great early (and underrated) Kyle MacLachlan film and he was really good in it!

[@_fidelio]

"David, I never left Twin Peaks"