Clark Middleton has died at the age of 63, his family has announced.
The actor - who starred in projects including Twin Peaks and Kill Bill Vol. 2 - died of West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne disease which has no cure.
Announcing the sad news “with heavy heart”, Middleton’s wife Elissa paid tribute to the “beloved actor, writer, director, teacher, hero, husband, beacon [and] friend.”
She said (via Variety): “Clark transitioned on October 4th as a result of West Nile Virus, for which there is no known cure. Clark was a beautiful soul who spent a lifetime defying limits and advocating for people with disabilities.”
Middleton appeared as Charlie, the husband of Audrey (played by Sherilyn Fenn) in the 2017 revival of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks.
His other roles include an appearance in Bong Joon Ho's Snowpiercer and, more recently, The Blacklist.
The Blacklist writer Jon Bokenkamp told Variety: “I’m heartbroken. Besides being a truly unique and gifted actor, Clark was simply an incredible guy in every way.
“He was a whip-smart film nut. He loved his work with a passion. And he was insanely generous of spirit.
“I know his entire family at The Blacklist is devastated by this news. Clark was one of the good ones, and we lost him way too soon.”
