FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper of Twin Peaks is one of the most iconic TV protagonists of all time. His distinctive appearance, mannerisms, and eccentric approach to investigating the murder of Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) in the eponymous Washington town are all part of why "Coop" is arguably the most famous role of actor Kyle MacLachlan's career. But, even before the show premiered on ABC in 1990, traces of the character of Dale Cooper could be seen in some of MacLachlan's film roles. For instance, both MacLachlan (New York Times) and Twin Peaks co-creator David Lynch (LA Times) have described Cooper as an older version of Jeffrey Beaumont, the protagonist played by MacLachlan in the 1986 film Blue Velvet, which Lynch directed.

But, one year after Blue Velvet, MacLachlan played another character who arguably bears an even greater resemblance to Cooper — one whom Lynch had nothing to do with. That would be Lloyd Gallagher,...