Strobel lost his left arm at the shoulder as a result of a car accident when he was 17 years old.

At the Grateful Dead's August 27, 1972, concert in Veneta he shot video which ended up in the film Sunshine Daydream.

[2][3] Strobel starred in "scores" of local productions in Eugene, Oregon from the late 1960s right up to the early 80's.

"[5] Strobel was cast in Twin Peaks, the series which made him a star, without an audition or even meeting David Lynch.

David Lynch later returned to the revival and Strobel came out of retirement to reprise his role as Philip Gerard.