David Lynch, the visionary filmmaker behind beloved classics such as Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks, has died at the age of 78. Lynch's death was announced by his family on his official Facebook page.
"It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch," the post read. "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.'"
In August 2024, Lynch revealed that he had been diagnosed with emphysema after a lifetime of smoking. Despite stating that he was in "excellent shape" and would "never retire," the condition affected his mobility, limiting his ability to leave his house to work on films. In a November 2024 interview with People he revealed that his condition had deteriorated and he needed oxygen to walk.
Lynch was born in Missoula, Montana, and began his career as a painter before making the switch to filmmaking in the 1960s, when he worked on a variety of short films.
Lynch was a true auteur. You recognized his work when you saw it.
The television series Twin Peaks and films such as Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive all contain Lynch's signature vision. A blend of horror, film noir, and surrealism made Lynch one of the premier filmmakers in the industry.
His résumé speaks for itself -- a four-time Oscar-nominated director, including being the recipient in 2020 of an honorary Oscar. In 2006 he received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement from the Venice Film Festival.
His colleagues in the industry have begun paying their tributes. Steven Spielberg honored the filmmaker in a statement, saying, "I got to know David when he played John Ford in The Fabelmans. Here was one of my heroes — David Lynch playing one of my heroes."
On his X account, Ron Howard described Lynch as "a gracious man and fearless artist who followed his heart & soul and proved that radical experimentation could yield unforgettable cinema."
Lynch was married four times and he is survived by his two daughters and two sons.~Ryan Donahue