Warren Frost (1925–2017), Twin Peaks actor

Actor Warren Frost wasknown best as Dr. Will Hayward on Twin Peaks.

Warren Frost, the actor known best as Dr. Will Hayward on Twin Peaks, died Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at his home in Middlebury, Vermont, according to The Associated Press. He was 91.

Frost died after a lengthy illness, according to his son, Twin Peaks co-creator Mark Frost.

The elder Frost played Dr. Hayward, the medical doctor and coroner on the cult TV show. He reprised the role in an upcoming sequel series.

He had previously had a number of small roles on TV in the 1950s before leaving Hollywood for the twin cities of Minnesota, where he taught theater and appeared in local productions. He returned to TV in the 1990s, and his Twin Peaks role kicked off a career second act that also saw him in recurring roles as friend Billy Lewis on Matlock and the father of George Costanzas fiance9e, Susan Ross, on Seinfeld.

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Born June 5, 1925, in Newbury, Massachusetts, he joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served aboard a ship participating in the Allied D-Day landings at Normandy. After the war, he studied English at Middlebury College in Vermont. This was followed by a masters degree from Occidental College in California and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota, where he became part of the theater department faculty.

Frost is survived by his wife, Virginia, and their three children.

Were saddened today to announce the passing of our dear old dad, Warren Frost, Mark Frost said in a statement. From the Normandy shores on D-Day to his 50-year career on stage and screen, he remained the same humble guy from Vermont who taught us that a life devoted to telling the right kind of truths can make a real difference in the lives of others. Were grateful to have shared him with the world for as long as we did.

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