
At first I was going to write this intro like, “Heh heh, remember when Kyle MacLachlan used to be a thing?” Then I went through his IMDB and realized, he’s really never stopped being A Thing. Since his debut as Paul Atreides in Dune (1984) to his most recent role as FDR in the miniseries Atlantic Crossing (2020), Kyle MacLachlan has been working nonstop for nearly 40 years. So, let’s take a look at that impressive career with a focus on his historical roles!
The Doors (1991)

The Trial (1993)

The Flintstones (1994)

Roswell (1994)

Moonshine Highway (1996)

Northfork (2003)

Mysterious Island (2005)

The Smell of Success (2009)

The House With a Clock in Its Walls (2018)

Tesla (2020)

Capone (2020)

Atlantic Crossing (2020)

And finally, just to shut up anyone who came to the comments to complain that I didn’t showcase him as Paul Atreides, despite it not being a period film in the least:

Are you a fan of Kyle MacLachlan’s historical costume movie & TV roles? Share your favorite films of his with us in the comments!
Dune is certainly not a historical movie but the costumes had some interesting nods to history, especially the Corrino court costumes. Princess Irulan’s dressmaker was definitely channeling the Spanish baroque.
If nothing else, he certainly had the most (male) luxurious head of hair in Hollywood.
I remember noticing that in Dune. He’s aged well.
An odd treat: Touch of Pink, which was at Sundance in 2004. He plays (I’m not joking) Cary Grant as the main character’s guardian movie star, and the costume choices do a great job to support the idea.
I forgot he was in House with the Clock in Its Walls. Good movie! Cate Blanchett has some great looks in it.
When I was younger I had only seen him in The Flintstones, but as I got older and saw him in, for example, David Lynch’s work, I really began to appreciate his versatility and strength as a lead. (Side note: there’s a pretty funny theory about The Flintstones that it’s not a period piece but futuristic; taking place at the same time as The Jetsons but depicting the underclass of that world. Doesn’t explain the dinosaurs.)
I intend to see The Smell of Success at some point as I absolutely loved the same directors’ film Northfork (2003).
My favourites are Dune and Twin Peaks (Damn good coffee). But both are not period. Of the period pieces, I’m leaning towards his FDR in Atlantic Crossing bc I am looking forward to seeing Crown Princess Martha portrayed by Sofia Helix. Also seeing the present king of Norway portrayed as a young boy.
I had never actually heard of Crown Princess Martha, but this casual reference sent me off on a deep dive on the internet. What a fascinating woman.
Yes, she was and her granddaughter and namesake is as well.
The Doors is definitely long and weird (directed by Oliver Stone, so, ya know). But it fits for a movie about The Doors.
I saw him in Romeo and Juliet at the Ashland Shakespeare Festival before he was famous.
The actors came out before the play, which was unusual, and mingled with the audience.
I asked him who he played, and he flipped back his luscious locks and said “Who do you think?” I replied, “I don’t know, maybe Friar Lawrence?” (because even at 12, I could recognize a humungous ego when I saw one). He turned around and walked away without another word, and that was the end of my one and only encounter with Kyle MacLachlan.
snort heh
The Doors! Always and forever, The Doors!!!
The film seemed a bit arty and pretentious. But the Doors were definitely arty and pretentious.
In a good way.
I remember him as Charlotte’s uptight husband in Sex and the City ^^
Oh, now, now. Trey was not so bad, he looks like that and he came with THAT apartment. TBH, Charlotte was no prize either.
Not really much to do with Kyle MacLachlan, but the post reminded me that I met the real Ray Manzarek back in 1967 just as The Doors became famous. It was on a beach in Vancouver, I was fifteen years old and we discussed poetry. A very nice man. Must watch the film, which I haven’t yet seen.