David Lynch, Director of Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive, Dies at 78

The film industry mourns the loss of David Lynch, the visionary director behind iconic works such as Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive, who passed away at the age of 78. His family shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook, stating, "It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch. We would appreciate some privacy at this time. There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’ It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way."

In 2024, Lynch revealed his battle with emphysema, a condition resulting from years of smoking. Despite his diagnosis, he remained optimistic, sharing, "Yes, I have emphysema from my many years of smoking. I have to say that I enjoyed smoking very much, and I do love tobacco — the smell of it, lighting cigarettes on fire, smoking them — but there is a price to pay for this enjoyment, and the price for me is emphysema. I have now quit smoking for over two years. Recently I had many tests and the good news is that I am in excellent shape except for emphysema. I am filled with happiness, and I will never retire."

Born in Missoula, Montana, in 1946, Lynch became renowned for his surreal neo-noir mystery films. His debut feature, Eraserhead (1977), became a midnight movie sensation. He earned Academy Award nominations for Best Director for the biographical drama The Elephant Man (1980), and the mystery films Blue Velvet (1986) and Mulholland Drive (2001). Other notable works include Wild at Heart (1990) and the 1984 adaptation of Dune, which, despite its initial box office failure, later achieved cult classic status.

Lynch's most celebrated creation, the early 90s mystery drama series Twin Peaks, followed FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) as he investigated the murder of local teenager Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee). Although the series was canceled after two seasons, Lynch brought it back with the 2017 limited series Twin Peaks: The Return.

Following Lynch's passing, tributes poured in from Hollywood. DCU chief James Gunn tweeted, "RIP David Lynch. You inspired so many of us." Joe Russo, screenwriter of The Inheritance, Soul Mates, and The Au Pair Nightmare, expressed, "no one saw the world like David Lynch. The world lost a master of cinema today."