How David Lynch, the Cast of ‘Twin Peaks’ and Her Lifelong Friends Are Paying Tribute to the Beloved Log Lady in a Documentary About Her Life

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Catherine Coulson, who was fondly known as The Log Lady in “Twin Peaks,” was much more than just her character. She was adored by many fans, not only for her role in the series but also for her interactions with fellow enthusiasts, contributing significantly to the show’s mythos. Beyond Twin Peaks, she was a seasoned actor, having worked extensively with Ashland’s Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Moreover, she had experience as a camera assistant, working alongside directors such as David Lynch, John Cassavetes, and Albert Brooks.

According to Richard Green, the director of “I Know Catherine, The Log Lady,” Coulson had a knack for making people who were close to her feel as if they were her dearest friends. This documentary will be screened at Ojai’s Playhouse Theatre on Saturday, followed by a Q&A session with “Twin Peaks” co-creator Mark Frost.

A number of my friends contributed to creating the film that concludes with a gripping account of the final days in Coulson’s life. This tale unfolds as Lynch and his team worked frantically against the relentless advance of Coulson’s lung cancer, aiming to incorporate her into the Showtime revival “Twin Peaks: The Return.

In 2015, four days beforehand, Coulson passed away. A short appearance by The Log Lady was filmed at her Oregon home with assistance from a local production company and Lynch directing remotely via Skype. This final scene in the documentary was deeply touching as friends and relatives gathered at her house for a farewell, while Lynch’s L.A. producer attempted to determine if Coulson could travel to the Washington set by Medevac flight despite his health condition.

Initially, we delve into an intriguing portrayal of a versatile woman who spent her childhood amidst the spotless 1950s, with a father employed in PR for Disney. As the counterculture blossomed, Coulson transformed into a bohemian theater artist during the vibrant era of 1960s San Francisco. Following her relocation to Hollywood, she found herself sharing a residence with Lynch and “Eraserhead” actor Jack Nance, whom she later wed. Her role in “Eraserhead” was instrumental, as she served as assistant camerawoman and Lynch’s assistant, and it was during this time that the idea of the Log Lady character started to take shape between her and Lynch.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but acknowledge that while she had numerous remarkable achievements, it was her portrayal of the enigmatic Log Lady—a character who effortlessly delivered cryptic pearls of wisdom such as “The solutions to all our queries are hidden within the wind and the trees, the rocks and the water”—that truly transformed her into an iconic figure for countless David Lynch enthusiasts like myself.

David Lynch’s former collaborator, Green, who portrayed The Magician in “Mulholland Drive,” conducted interviews with over 65 individuals for the documentary over a span of seven years. He chose to film some of these interviews in the very Beachwood Canyon apartment where he initially encountered Coulson and Lynch.

David Green, known for his role as The Magician in “Mulholland Drive,” interviewed over 65 people for a documentary over a seven-year period. He selected the Beachwood Canyon apartment where he first met Coulson and Lynch to film certain interviews.

Approximately two decades since “Mulholland Drive,” Green expressed great excitement to collaborate with Lynch once more. Lynch graciously recounted memories of his long-term friend and partner, Coulson. “He’s the best audience a person could ask for – any actor will tell you that,” Green notes, “He’s so attentive and supportive. That’s what I offered him in this project – I listened.

Green remembers the interview with David as a delightful 90-minute experience, which may have been Lynch’s final screen appearance. David is truly one of the most remarkable storytellers who has ever lived,” describes Green.

Additionally, “Twin Peaks” characters such as Frost, Kyle MacLachlan, Dana Ashbrook, Grace Zabriskie, Michael Horse, and Kimmy Robertson have shared their recollections of Coulson in the document.

In the document, memories about Coulson are also provided by characters from “Twin Peaks” including Frost, Kyle MacLachlan, Dana Ashbrook, Grace Zabriskie, Michael Horse, and Kimmy Robertson.

Lastly:
Contributing their memories of Coulson in the document alongside other “Twin Peaks” characters are Frost, Kyle MacLachlan, Dana Ashbrook, Grace Zabriskie, Michael Horse, and Kimmy Robertson.

Green became captivated by the idea of creating a documentary about Coulson ever since he learned about the unusual events surrounding her character’s final appearance in “Twin Peaks: The Return.” This intriguing tale was shared with him by Donna DuBain, a close friend and executive producer of Coulson. Green expresses his thoughts saying, “I immediately thought, this is an incredible story – someone gets to play their role one last time and passes away just four days later. To me, it seemed incredibly moving.

He mentioned that the details were largely unknown because of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Donna shared with him that each of them was required to sign a confidentiality agreement worth $6 million, which meant they faced a fine of the same amount if they revealed any information about their experiences.

During the recording of the documentary’s crucial last scene, incorporating shots from the production of “Twin Peaks: The Return,” Green aimed to step back and allow the heartfelt discussions to transpire uninterrupted, without any accompanying music.

Similar to Lynch, Coulson was an avid follower of transcendental meditation, a practice that Green also decided to experiment with. “Honestly,” Green recalls, “it seemed quite cult-like.” However, during a challenging phase in his life, he explains, “I figured if I underwent TM training, it would help me grasp Catherine and David better, and perhaps it would offer some relief.

Green notes that it was Coulson who fostered the feeling of camaraderie among Lynch’s casts and crews, which remained strong throughout his career. “David created an atmosphere of community, spirit, cooperation, and positive energy on set – I believe this was largely shaped by Catherine.

The director shares that the original log belonging to the Log Lady has been found and is being transported to a museum, whereas Coulson’s distinctive red eyeglasses will be exhibited during certain screenings.

Following Ojai, the doctor is set to visit Ashland, Portland, Los Angeles, and various other urban areas. Additionally, starting May 21st, you can catch the doctor online via the movie’s official website.

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2025-03-14 22:24