Renowned filmmaker David Lynch, celebrated for cinematic masterpieces like Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive, passed away at the age of 78.
His family shared the somber news via a Facebook post: “With profound sadness, we, his family, announce the passing of David Lynch, the man and the artist. We kindly request privacy during this difficult time. His absence leaves a significant void, but as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.’ It's a beautiful day, filled with golden sunshine and clear blue skies.”
In 2024, Lynch publicly revealed an emphysema diagnosis stemming from years of smoking, expressing his inability to continue directing. He stated at the time: "Yes, I have emphysema due to many years of smoking. I must admit, I deeply enjoyed smoking; I love tobacco—its aroma, lighting cigarettes, the act of smoking—but there's a price, and for me, it's emphysema. I've quit for over two years now. Recent tests show I'm in excellent health aside from the emphysema. I'm filled with happiness and will never retire."
Lynch's legacy is perhaps most strongly tied to the early 1990s mystery drama series Twin Peaks, chronicling FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper's investigation into the murder of Laura Palmer. Though initially canceled after two seasons, Lynch resurrected the series with the 2017 limited series Twin Peaks: The Return.
Hollywood figures across directing, producing, and screenwriting mourned Lynch on social media. James Gunn, head of DCU, 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."
