David Lynch, visionary director and ‘Twin Peaks’ creator, dead at 78
David Lynch, who co-created “Twin Peaks” and directed films such as “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive,” has died. He was 78.
Lynch’s family revealed his passing via social media on Thursday.
“It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch,” their statement read. “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,'” Lynch’s family added. “It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.”
The family did not reveal Lynch’s cause of death.
The famed writer-director was diagnosed with emphysema, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, back in 2020.
It was reported last week that Lynch evacuated his LA home near Laurel Canyon Boulevard due to the deadly wildfires. His producer Sabrina Sutherland confirmed that he was safe.
In November, Lynch — who started smoking at age 8 but quit in 2022 — told People that he needed supplemental oxygen to do much of anything.
“What you sow is what you reap,” said Lynch. “You’re literally playing with fire. It can bite you. I took a chance, and I got bit.”
Lynch added that “it’s tough living with emphysema. I can hardly walk across a room. It’s like you’re walking around with a plastic bag around your head.”
In August, Lynch told Sight and Sound magazine that he was homebound because “it would be very bad for me to get sick, even with a cold.”
Lynch was born in 1946 in Missoula, Montana. He began his filmmaking career in the 1960s.
His first feature-length movie was the 1977 art film “Eraserhead.”
Lynch’s next film was 1980’s “The Elephant Man,” about a severely deformed man living in London. The movie, starring John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins, was nominated for eight Oscars — including Best Director for Lynch.
He followed that up with 1984’s “Dune,” which did not fare well at the box office. Denis Villeneuve has since made his version of the epic space opera with Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet in the cast.
In 1990, Lynch and Mark Frost created “Twin Peaks”. The series starred Kyle MacLachlan and aired on ABC for two seasons before it was canceled. It spawned a movie prequel, 1992’s “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me,” that Lynch directed and co-wrote.
“Twin Peaks” later returned for a revival series called “Twin Peaks: The Return” on Showtime in 2017. Lynch directed and co-wrote all 18 episodes.
In his storied career, Lynch was nominated for four Oscars and several Emmy Awards. He won the César Award twice and the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival once.
Lynch had four wives. He was married to Peggy Lentz from 1967 to 1974, Mary Fisk from 1977 to 1987 and director Mary Sweeney from 2006 to 2007. He wed actress Emily Stofle in 2009, and she filed for divorce in late 2023. A settlement was reached just last month.
He was also in a relationship with “Blue Velvet” star Isabella Rossellini from 1986 to 1991.
Lynch was a father of four children. His oldest child, Jennifer Lynch, 56, is a filmmaker.
