Catherine E. Coulson | Lynchian 'Log Lady,' 71

Catherine E. Coulson, 71, best known as the quirky Log Lady on TV's Twin Peaks, died Monday at her home in Ashland, Ore. She had cancer.

Ms. Coulson met Twin Peaks director David Lynch in the early 1970s at an acting workshop in Los Angeles, and he cast her as a nurse in his movie Eraserhead.

She also served as assistant director, still photographer, and special-effects technician on the film.

In 1990, Lynch cast her as Margaret in Twin Peaks, a mysterious woman who carries around a log. She reprised the role in the movie Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me and more recently appeared in an episode of Portlandia.

For 22 seasons, Ms. Coulson, who was married for a time to Eraserhead star Jack Nance, also acted with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. - AP