Stumbling through the dial one night in 1995 I discovered Carel Struycken in David Lynch‘s Twin Peaks. In a world of the tragically forgettable I was forever changed.
The veil had been lifted.
I knew I was in the presence of something singular.
And I knew I would never be the same.
Like hearing Dylan for the first time.
Twin Peaks had fundamentally altered my source code.
And an inexorable part of this watershed experience for me was the looming presence of Carel Struycken–the indispensable puzzle piece that made David Lynch’s mosaic whole.
An actor born in the Netherlands he is a performer who defies convention in every conceivable way.
An actor with a thriving career, Struycken has graced audiences for decades.
Over 7 feet tall he is a performer known for his stature, but Struycken’s height is matched only by his compassion and humanity.
An exquisite artist. Unrelentingly curious and imaginative–his works have being featured in the Groninger Museum.
And as an artist of indomitable curiosity his interests run the gamut. Never ceasing to evolve and grow.
From a deep abiding reverence for nature.
To encompassing the beauty of architectural design.
Particularly the works of American architectural visionary John Lautner.
He is also intensely passionate about photography.
Combining his love of photography, nature and design aesthetics he launched a website of interactive panoramic photography.
Do check it out. It is mesmerizing.
In a world of the banal Carel Struycken is a rarefied exception.
Carel Struycken Filmography
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)
Die Laughing (1980)
Go West, Young Man (1980)
The Prey (1983)
Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1985 TV Movie)
Population: 1 (1986)
The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
Night of the Kickfighters (1988)
St. Elsewhere (1982–1988) (TV show)
Hunter (I) (1984–1991) (TV show)
The Addams Family (1991)
Servants of Twilight (1991)
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994) (TV show)
Twin Peaks (1990–1991) (TV show)
Babylon 5 (1994–1998) (TV show)
Oblivion (1994)
Under the Hula Moon (1995)
Oblivion 2: Backlash (1996)
Men in Black (1997)
Star Trek: Voyager (1995–2001) (TV show)
Charmed (1998–2006) (TV show)
Cold Case (2003–2010) (TV show)
De erfenis (2004– ) (TV show)
My Name Is Earl (2005–2009) (TV show)
De wereld draait door (2005– ) (TV show)
From the Mouths of Babes (2012– )
The Blacklist (2013– ) (TV show)
Gotham (2014–2019) (TV show)
Carel Struycken Gallery
Interests include:: coffee, jackhammers, grandma’s medicine cabinet and sympathetic yawning.