Top image: Kill Bill: Vol 1. (2003) dir. Quentin Tarantino.

Michael Parks, who starred in the cult TV series Twin Peaks and Quentin Tarantino‘s Kill Bill, has died aged 77.

Director and close friend Kevin Smith announced the news via social media channels Twitter and Instagram, hailing Parks as his “cinematic muse” and “the best actor I’ve ever known.” The sad news was confirmed by Parks’ agent.

I hate to report that my cinematic muse #michaelparks has passed away. Michael was, and will likely forever remain, the best actor I've ever known. I wrote both #RedState and @tuskthemovie FOR Parks, I loved his acting so much. He was, hands-down, the most incredible thespian I ever had the pleasure to watch perform. And Parks brought out the absolute best in me every time he got near my set. From the moment I saw him steal the opening scene of #fromdusktildawn at an advance screening at the Sunset 5 back in the mid-90's, I said to @samosier "Could you imagine what it must be like to work with a Yoda of acting like that guy? I gotta write for him one day." It took me 15 years but my dream came true on Red State (for which Parks won Best Actor at the @sitgesfestival) and then again years later with #tusk. Only Michael Parks could have delivered the line "Is man indeed a walrus at heart?" and make it scary as fuck. My favorite memory of Michael is watching him and #johnnydepp act with and at each other, like a couple of dueling wizards, in their shared scene in Tusk. Parks was in Heaven that day, sharing the screen with another brilliant actor and creating an unforgettable performance. He elevated any flick or TV show he was in and elevated every director he ever acted for. I was so fucking blessed to have worked with this bonafide genius. But really, I was just lucky to have known him at all. My heart goes out to James (Michael's son), Oriana (Michael's wife), Quentin Tarantino (Michael's biggest fan) and any movie or music lover who was ever dazzled by the talents of Michael Parks. Farewell, old friend. I'll see you farther along… #KevinSmith #actor #genius #rip #walrusyes

A post shared by Kevin Smith (@thatkevinsmith) on May 10, 2017 at 8:13am PDT

The actor’s career spanned five decades, during which time he starred in more than 100 films and TV series, including playing drug runner Jean Renault in the second series of David Lynch‘s iconic TV series, Twin Peaks. Parks then went on to have a late-career surge when he was cast as Texas Ranger Earl McGraw in Robert Rodriguez’ 1996 grindhouse vampire flick, From Dusk ’til Dawn. Quentin Tarantino then cast Parks in a dual role for Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Volume 2.

A heartfelt farewell to the one and only Michael Parks. A very kind man and a true legend. pic.twitter.com/OsKTfZFiS2

— Robert Rodriguez (@Rodriguez) May 10, 2017