Renowned filmmaker David Lynch, celebrated for his visionary work on Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive, passed away at age 78.
His family shared the news via a Facebook post: “With profound sadness, we, his family, announce the passing of David Lynch, the man and the artist. We request privacy during this time. A significant void exists in the world without him. However, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’ It’s a beautiful day with radiant sunshine and clear blue skies.”
In 2024, Lynch publicly revealed an emphysema diagnosis stemming from years of smoking, stating his inability to direct further projects. He shared at the time: "Yes, I have emphysema due to years of smoking. I must admit, I greatly enjoyed smoking, and I truly love tobacco—its scent, lighting cigarettes, the act of smoking—but there's a price, and for me, it's emphysema. I've quit for over two years. Recent tests show I'm in excellent health aside from the emphysema. I'm filled with happiness, and I will never retire."
Lynch's legacy is indelibly linked to the 1990s mystery drama series Twin Peaks, which chronicles FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper's (Kyle MacLachlan) investigation into the murder of Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee). Though initially canceled after two seasons, Lynch resurrected the series with the 2017 limited series Twin Peaks: The Return.
Tributes poured in from across Hollywood, with prominent figures expressing their grief and acknowledging Lynch's profound influence. DCU head 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, tweeted: "No one saw the world like David Lynch. The world lost a master of cinema today."
