One aspect of Twin Peaks that I’ve greatly enjoyed over the years of being a fan is how well mystery is mixed with some comedic relief. A true joy was seeing David Lander, famously known for playing Squiggy on Laverne & Shirley, return to the ABC Television network in Season 2 of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s wonderful and strange show. While only appearing in three episodes, he left a lasting impression playing Tim Pinkle. Sadly, Mr. Lander passed on December 4 at around 6:30 p.m. at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles as a result of complications from a decades-long battle with multiple sclerosis. This is my love letter to his appearances that still make me laugh years later.
DAVID L. LANDER
While scrolling through Twitter on Saturday, December 5, I saw a tweet from Variety announcing David’s passing. He was 73 years old when he passed peacefully with his wife Kathy, their daughter Natalie and her husband at his bedside.
Growing up, I mostly recall David playing opposite Michael McKean in Laverne & Shirley, a spin-off show from ABC’s Happy Days. I guess that’s why I was so delighted to discover his short-lived role in Twin Peaks back in 1993. His comedic timing was everything I remembered as a child watching him on the small screen.
Lander was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 22, 1947. While attending Carnegie Mellon University, he met McKean and the duo would eventually move to Los Angeles. According to Variety, the duo built their early career together, “co-starring in Steven Spielberg’s comedy film 1941 and Kurt Russell’s Used Cars.”
In 1979, the comedy duo released a vinyl album titled “Lenny and the Squigtones” based on their characters from Laverne & Shirley.
In addition to Twin Peaks, Lander made numerous telvision appearances including The Bob Newhart Show, Barney Miller, The Drew Carey Show, and Spongebob Squarepants On the silver screen, David was seen in A League of their Own and Say It Ain’t So. He also voiced Smart Ass in the 1988 cult classic Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Besides his performance in Twin Peaks, I loved seeing him as director Valdja Gochktch in David Lynch’s On The Air. It’s really a must-see sitcom with only seven episodes (how I wish I would have gone on longer).
In 1999, Lander shared publicly he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He discussed his experience being a Hollywood actor with MS in a 2009 interview with Allen Rucker for Ability Magazine (it’s a great read!).
EPISODE 2005
While Pete Martell mentions Tim and Tom’s Taxi-dermy in Episode 1006, we don’t see Mr. Tim Pinkle on screen until Episode 2005 in Season 2.
Mr. Pinkle demonstrates the Port-O-Patient for Bobby Briggs and Shelly Johnson, who are looking for something to help invalid Leo Johnson.
Lander cracks me up while trying to use Bobby as a guinea pig for the machine which doesn’t quite work according to plan.
But the delightful part of this scene which I can watch repeatedly happens once Bobby and Shelly leave the room. Pinkle appears to get the contraption working correctly before all hell breaks loose.
I can see why Lander was hired for this part. It’s priceless as he swings hopelessly from side to side.
EPISODE 2017
We don’t see Mr. Pinkle return to Twin Peaks until later in Season 2.
In Episode 2017, he is seen carrying a stuffed pine weasel and speaking with Dick Tremayne at the Great Northern Hotel.
I love this entire exchange, particularly Dick’s dialogue which I frequently quote to my wife (to which she can’t stand).
PINKLE
(proferring the stuffed animal)
It’s just so people can see what a Pine Weasel looks like.
TREMAYNE
I understand the concept perfectly, Mr. Twinkle.
PINKLE
Pinkle. The name is Pinkle.
TREMAYNE
But what I’m trying to make clear to you is that using a stuffed animal to represent an endangered species at an ecological protest constitutes the supreme incongruity.
PINKLE
Yeah, that’s real clear, Dick…
The duo would later appear on stage in this episode where Mr. Pinkle introduces a live pine weasel.
The whole scene is totally ridiculous which is why I love it so much.
The way David delivers his lines through this scene is classic deadpan comedy. I don’t know how either actors could keep a straight face.
We already know this scene won’t end well.
And when things are out-of-control, Mr. Pinkle desperately attempts to calm the crowd. I love that he’s sporting suspenders for that outrageous outfit (of course I totally want to cosplay as Mr. Pinkle for the next Twin Peaks reunion … whenever that may be).
Actor Ian Buchanan shared a heartfelt tweet on December 5, 2020 at hearing of David’s passing which included a YouTube video of this particular scene.
The two of them also appear in an official publicity shot from this particular episode.
EPISODE 2020 – MISSING PIECE
Mr. Pinkle would have made another appearance in Episode 2020 with John Justice Wheeler (Billy Zane) but his scene was cut. I explore this deleted scene in-depth in this article.
I wish they would have kept it as it would have made nice connections to Episode 1006 and the Twin Peaks Access Guide to the Town which had images of Tim and Tom’s Taxi-Dermy.
EPISODE 2021
David’s final appearance is in Episode 2021 which aired on June 10, 1991 as a two-hour television event on ABC.
This time Mr. Pinkle is the dance instructor for the 20th Anniversary of the Miss Twin Peaks pageant.
I think he spends more time ogling the contestants versus giving instructions but the entire scene again cracks me up. When he starts counting, I can’t help but clap and count along.
His final on-screen appearance is with the late Catherine Coulson who played The Log Lady. Clearly, she wants nothing to do with him during the performance.
Thank you David for your memorable and hilarious performances every time you graced the screen. We will miss you.
Hi, Steven,
Thank you so much for this love letter to the late, great David L. Lander.
Thank you also for the screenshot from On the Air (with Mr. Lander and Miguel Ferrer). Is the series available on DVD?
I still remember watching each episode and trying to videotape them while at the same time videotaping each Twin Peaks episode. What a glorious time for television that was.
My friend Paula and I were fortunate to meet David L. Lander at one of the “Hollywood Collector Shows” (www.hollywoodshow.com). He was very funny and very friendly.
When Paula approached him, he said “Okay, tell me: what do you want from me?” We had a rather long conversation and I told him my favorite Lenny and Squiggy gag: every time they would argue, they would eventually make up, look at each other, and simultaneously say: “Stuuupiddd!” He thank me and repeated the line for me right there: “Stuuupidddd!”
That is one word that certainly does not describe David L. Lander. May he rest in peace.
–All best!
Dan