In a year that has been filled with immeasurable loss, it is with heavy heart that I pen this Love Letter to Clark Middleton. He played Charlie in Twin Peaks Season 3 on Showtime and passed on Sunday, October 4 at age 63 after contracting West Nile Virus. Appearing in four episodes, Clark’s character Charlie left a lasting impression on me. Here’s a brief look at his performance an enthusiasm for David Lynch and Mark Frost’s wonderful and strange world.
CLARK MIDDLETON – A LIFE WORTHY OF CELEBRATION
I discovered Clark had passed after reading an article by Natalie Oganesyan on Variety.com that I found while “doom scrolling” through Twitter on Monday, October 5.
Born Clark Tinsley Middleton, he began his acting career after leaving his home in Tucson, Arizona. Following friends, he moved to California and signed up for an acting class because it “sounded like fun and only cost $15 at a junior college.”
Middleton spent years honing his craft while performing theatre in New York. His first television role was the 1983 Michael Dinner film Miss Lonelyhearts. Charlie also gave memorable performances in Law & Order, the rare book dealer Edward Markham in Fringe, and Glen in The Blacklist.
Clark married Elissa in 2006. She accompanied him to the premiere of Twin Peaks Season 3 in May 2017.
She took to Twitter via Clark’s account on October 5 to express her gratitude for love and support of her husband. She quoted Clark’s father Mel: “Give the world your best and the best will come back to you.”
DAVID LYNCH RESPONDS TO CLARK MIDDLETON’S PASSING
On October 6, David Lynch shared an image of Clark on his Instagram account – @DavidLynchTheater1. The post included a link to David’s daily weather report on his YouTube channel.
After delivering part of the weather report, David reminisced about working with Clark:
“Today I’m thinking about the great Clark Middleton who I believe passed away on Sunday. Clark played Charlie in this last season of Twin Peaks opposite Sherilyn Fenn, and Clark did such a great job. I loved working with him. I feel for his family and friends. He was such a good guy.”
CLARK MIDDLETON AT THE TWIN PEAKS ON SHOWTIME PREMIERE
Clark appeared to be thrilled to be in the newest season of Twin Peaks. On May 19, he tweeted an image of a giant banner advertisement along Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California.
As mentioned, Clark attended the premiere event held on May 19, 2019.
At the time, we had no idea which character Clark would play. We’d have to wait twelve episodes before we were introduced to Charlie.
PUBLICITY SHOTS OF CHARLIE FROM TWIN PEAKS
Charlie was prominently featured in several publicity shots taken by Suzanne Tenner for Showtime.
I love these crystal clear shots as they provide so many details waiting to be discovered.
CHARLIE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 12
Part 12 aired on July 30, 2017. Clark made an official welcome to what he called “Charlie and Audrey’s world” via Twitter on August 4, 2017.
Here are a few additional shots of Clark from that episode.
CHARLIE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 13
Charlie and Audrey returned in Twin Peaks – Part 13 which aired on August 6, 2017.
This episode contained Audrey’s line, “What story is that, Charlie?”, which was used as sort of an unofficial episode title.
According to the EXIF data on the official publicity photo for this scene, it was shot on April 11, 2016 at a private home in Southern California. Most likely the Part 12 scenes with Charlie at the desk were also shot this day.
Clark joked on Twitter about Charlie’s coat the day after the episode aired.
CHARLIE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 15
Part 15 was aired on August 20, 2017. The following day, Clark remarked how tough Audrey was in the scene and wondered if Charlie and her would ever get to the Roadhouse (not the Bang Bang Bar … no one calls it the Bang Bang Bar).
This scene, according to the Behind the Curtain footage and EXIF data from the publicity photo was shot on April 12, 2016.
The moment just before Audrey attacks. Charlie had the patience of a saint!
CHARLIE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 16
Charlie and Audrey FINALLY make it to the Roadhouse in Twin Peaks – Part 16, which aired on August 27, 2017.
The two of them share martinis before Audrey is called to the dance floor.
Entranced, Charlie watches Audrey’s moves on the dance floor. This would be Charlie’s (and Clark’s) final episode.
In anticipation of the final two episodes of Season 3, Clark summarized Audrey’s dance from Part 16 in a tweet – Wow!
SEE YOU IN THE TREES
I’m deeply saddened I never met Clark in person. By all accounts, he seemed like an immensely talented person with a wonderful energy and positive outlook on life.
Scott Ryan and John Thorne had an excellent interview with Clark in Issue 6 of Blue Rose Magazine. Definitely worth reading, and can be ordered HERE.
On April 8, 2020, he recognized the 30th Anniversary of my favorite show in the tweet below.
While he wrote he loved his experience and Twin Peaks fans, I think it was us who fell in love with him. Clark’s character Charlie may have only appeared in four episodes with limited screen time, but his performance, like so many of his roles, was top notch.
Thank you Clark for sharing your passion with the world. We miss you already.
