Royce D. Applegate was an American actor who appeared as Reverend Clarence Brocklehurst in Twin Peaks.
He was also known for various bit roles in films such as O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Rain Man, and Seabiscuit.
On the morning of January 1, 2003, the 63-year-old actor's body was discovered in an upstairs bedroom by Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel, during efforts to contain a blaze sweeping through his three-story Hollywood Hills mansion. A cause of death was not immediately released, pending autopsy, but was later determined to have been due to smoke inhalation. The New Year's Day fire was reported at 8 a.m. and burned for at least an hour. Two firefighters received severe burns during the incident, but survived, after one fell through the burning roof of the home and was pulled to safety by a colleague, requiring surgery on their hands, arms and legs. A couple that occupied the downstairs area of the home escaped the flames unscathed. Applegate was survived by a son, Scott D. Applegate, with ex-wife Norma Hilderbrand (div. 1969).
