Kyle MacLachlan Recalls How 'Understanding' Laura Dern Was When Their Breakup Went 'Bad': 'We Were Both Kids'

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Kyle MacLachlan and Laura Dern.Photo:Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Kodak; Cindy Ord/WireImageKyle MacLachlanis reflecting on his poor choices while dating in his 20s.During an appearance onJesse Tyler Ferguson’sDinner’s on Mepodcast, theSex and the Cityalum looked back at his four-year relationship withLaura Dern.The former couple met on the set of their 1986 thriller,Blue Velvet, and dated from 1985 to 1989. Now that they’ve had 34 years to put their history behind them, MacLachlan admitted that Dern has been “very kind” and “very understanding” despite the fact he didn’t “end that very well.““We were both kids,” he explained. “I felt bad about it but any way we have gotten back together, we’re great friends now, and I just adore her.““She’s got the best sense of humor. She is smart, beautiful, empathic,” MacLachlan continued, listing his favorite qualities about Dern. “But also has this little bit of a bawdy side to her humor, which I think she gets from her mom and her dad, certainly.““So she’s a wonderful mix of qualities that I just think are spectacular. I love her,” he added.(L-R) Kyle MacLachlan and Laura Dern in 1988.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyTheTwin Peaksstar also recalled how the pair reunited on screen in 2017 when Dern was cast as Diane Evans for season 3 of the legendary television series.“When [series creator David Lynch] told me that he was casting her as Diane in that, I was like, ‘That is the most brilliant thing you could have ever said to me,’” he gushed. “I was so excited to get to work with her.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.MacLachlan is now married to publicist Desiree Gruber and the two share their 15-year-old son Callum.As for Dern, she and her ex, Grammy-winning musicianBen Harper, went on to welcome their first child, Ellery Walker in 2001. Three years later, they celebrated the arrival of their daughter, Jaya. The couple went on to wed in 2005 before ultimately calling it quits in 2013.

(L-R) Kyle MacLachlan and Laura Dern.Photo:Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Kodak; Cindy Ord/WireImage

Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Kodak; Cindy Ord/WireImage

Kyle MacLachlanis reflecting on his poor choices while dating in his 20s.During an appearance onJesse Tyler Ferguson’sDinner’s on Mepodcast, theSex and the Cityalum looked back at his four-year relationship withLaura Dern.The former couple met on the set of their 1986 thriller,Blue Velvet, and dated from 1985 to 1989. Now that they’ve had 34 years to put their history behind them, MacLachlan admitted that Dern has been “very kind” and “very understanding” despite the fact he didn’t “end that very well.““We were both kids,” he explained. “I felt bad about it but any way we have gotten back together, we’re great friends now, and I just adore her.““She’s got the best sense of humor. She is smart, beautiful, empathic,” MacLachlan continued, listing his favorite qualities about Dern. “But also has this little bit of a bawdy side to her humor, which I think she gets from her mom and her dad, certainly.““So she’s a wonderful mix of qualities that I just think are spectacular. I love her,” he added.(L-R) Kyle MacLachlan and Laura Dern in 1988.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyTheTwin Peaksstar also recalled how the pair reunited on screen in 2017 when Dern was cast as Diane Evans for season 3 of the legendary television series.“When [series creator David Lynch] told me that he was casting her as Diane in that, I was like, ‘That is the most brilliant thing you could have ever said to me,’” he gushed. “I was so excited to get to work with her.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.MacLachlan is now married to publicist Desiree Gruber and the two share their 15-year-old son Callum.As for Dern, she and her ex, Grammy-winning musicianBen Harper, went on to welcome their first child, Ellery Walker in 2001. Three years later, they celebrated the arrival of their daughter, Jaya. The couple went on to wed in 2005 before ultimately calling it quits in 2013.

Kyle MacLachlanis reflecting on his poor choices while dating in his 20s.

During an appearance onJesse Tyler Ferguson’sDinner’s on Mepodcast, theSex and the Cityalum looked back at his four-year relationship withLaura Dern.

The former couple met on the set of their 1986 thriller,Blue Velvet, and dated from 1985 to 1989. Now that they’ve had 34 years to put their history behind them, MacLachlan admitted that Dern has been “very kind” and “very understanding” despite the fact he didn’t “end that very well.”

“We were both kids,” he explained. “I felt bad about it but any way we have gotten back together, we’re great friends now, and I just adore her.”

“She’s got the best sense of humor. She is smart, beautiful, empathic,” MacLachlan continued, listing his favorite qualities about Dern. “But also has this little bit of a bawdy side to her humor, which I think she gets from her mom and her dad, certainly.”

“So she’s a wonderful mix of qualities that I just think are spectacular. I love her,” he added.

(L-R) Kyle MacLachlan and Laura Dern in 1988.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

TheTwin Peaksstar also recalled how the pair reunited on screen in 2017 when Dern was cast as Diane Evans for season 3 of the legendary television series.

“When [series creator David Lynch] told me that he was casting her as Diane in that, I was like, ‘That is the most brilliant thing you could have ever said to me,’” he gushed. “I was so excited to get to work with her.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

MacLachlan is now married to publicist Desiree Gruber and the two share their 15-year-old son Callum.

As for Dern, she and her ex, Grammy-winning musicianBen Harper, went on to welcome their first child, Ellery Walker in 2001. Three years later, they celebrated the arrival of their daughter, Jaya. The couple went on to wed in 2005 before ultimately calling it quits in 2013.

source: people.com