Fairfield's Richard Beymer evokes 'Twin Peaks,' too

One more reason that Fairfield qualifies as the "Twin Peaks" of Iowa: Actor Richard Beymer has been a fixture in the eclectic southeast Iowa town for more than 20 years.

Beymer portrayed greedy businessman Ben Horne in the 1990s David Lynch TV series "Twin Peaks." But you also might recognize him as Tony from "West Side Story" or Peter from "The Diary of Anne Frank" among his extensive Hollywood resume.

Last weekend I wrote about the intertwined timelines of Lynch and Fairfield:

Most people have heard about Lynch's announcement last week on Twitter that he's reviving "Twin Peaks"for a belated third season.

"I'm pleased about it," Beymer said Monday. "I get to go at it again."

The "Twin Peaks" return had been in the works for a while. But the 76-year-old actor received confirmation from Lynch himself -- with a phone call rather than a tweet.

"David called me last week when it was official," Beymer said.

Meanwhile, most people were unaware that in the last year Lynch also has established his own master's film program at Maharishi University of Management, the only such degree branded by the director. The university and Lynch share a passion for transcendental meditation (TM). I stopped in Fairfield and Maharishi Vedic City last week and met with faculty and students.

Beymer, an Iowa native born in Avoca, wasn't keen on discussing why he had moved to Fairfield, or what had inspired him to stay. And meditation for him, he said, is "something private" in contrast to how Lynch has been a consistent, vocal promoter of TM with an entire foundation devoted to the cause.

Yet in his own quiet way, Beymer is part of this "Twin Peaks" of Iowa.