Warren Frost dead; ‘Twin Peaks’ actor was 91

LOS ANGELES — Warren Frost, who played Dr. Will Hayward on “Twin Peaks” and appeared in dozens of other TV shows including “Matlock” and “Seinfeld,” has died. He was 91.

Frost died Friday at his home in Middlebury, Vermont, after a lengthy illness, according to a statement from his son, “Twin Peaks” co-creator Mark Frost. The nature of the illness was not disclosed.

He “taught us that a life devoted to telling the right kind of truths can make a real difference in the lives of others,” Mark Frost said in the statement released by the Showtime channel.

Warren Frost reprised his “Twin Peaks” role for an upcoming Showtime sequel to the 1990-91 cult drama.

The New England native served in the Navy in World War II and was aboard a ship that took part in the 1944 Allied D-Day invasion, according to a biography.

He went on to attend Middlebury College in Vermont, where he met his future wife, Virginia Calhoun, and then began his TV career in New York with jobs that included stage manager for early shows.

After moving to Los Angeles in 1958, Frost worked steadily on TV series including “Dragnet” and appeared in movies including “The Mating Game” and “It Started with a Kiss.”

He received a master’s degree from Occidental College in California and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota, where he was part of the theater department faculty for 20 years and acted regularly in local productions.

Renewing his screen career in Los Angeles in the 1990s, he appeared in “Seinfeld” as Mr. Ross, the father to George Costanza’s ill-fated fiancee Susan, and played pal Billy to “Matlock” star Andy Griffith’s character.

Frost retired to Middlebury in 2000 but returned to work to appear in the new “Twin Peaks,” set to debut in May.

Other survivors include son Scott, a novelist and photographer; daughter Lindsay, an artist; and three grandchildren.