Jack Nance

Marvin John Nance (December 21, 1943 – December 30, 1996), known professionally as Jack Nance and occasionally credited as John Nance, was an American actor.

He was known for his work with director David Lynch, particularly for his roles in the films Eraserhead, Dune, Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, and Lost Highway, as well as the television series Twin Peaks.

I Don't Know Jack, a documentary about Nance, was funded by David Lynch and released in 2002.

Early life

Nance was born in Boston, Massachusetts and was raised in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from South Oak Cliff High School. His father retired from Neiman Marcus.

Later career

Nance worked for some time with the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, California. In the 1970s, Nance met David Lynch, who cast him as the lead in Eraserhead.

In his later years, Nance grew a small white moustache and was a distinctive presence in many films with his peculiar twisted smile and blue eyes. After Eraserhead, Nance remained on good terms with Lynch, who cast him in nearly all of his projects: