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

David Lynch, the visionary filmmaker behind iconic works such as Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive, has passed away at the age of 78.

His family shared the news in a heartfelt Facebook post:

“It is with profound sadness that we, his family, announce the passing of David Lynch — both the man and the artist. We kindly ask for privacy during this difficult time. The world feels emptier without him in it. But, as he would often say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’ Today is a beautiful day, filled with golden sunshine and clear blue skies.”

In 2024, Lynch revealed he had been diagnosed with emphysema, a result of lifelong smoking, and noted he was no longer able to direct:

“Yes, I have emphysema from many years of smoking. I truly enjoyed smoking — I love tobacco, the smell of it, lighting up, everything about it — but there’s a cost to that enjoyment, and for me, it’s emphysema. I’ve now been smoke-free for over two years. Recently, I underwent several tests, and the good news is that aside from emphysema, I’m in excellent health. I feel full of joy and will never retire.”

David Lynch has died aged 78. Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images.

Born in Missoula, Montana, in 1946, Lynch became renowned for his surreal, neo-noir storytelling style. His debut feature film, Eraserhead (1977), gained cult status as a midnight movie favorite. He received Academy Award nominations for Best Director for The Elephant Man (1980), Blue Velvet (1986), and Mulholland Drive (2001). Other notable films include Wild at Heart (1990) and the 1984 adaptation of Dune, which initially underperformed at the box office but later earned cult classic recognition.

Lynch is perhaps most celebrated for creating the groundbreaking 1990s mystery drama series Twin Peaks. The show followed FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) as he investigates the murder of high school student Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee). Although canceled after two seasons, Lynch brought the story back in 2017 with the limited series Twin Peaks: The Return.

Tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry. James Gunn, head of the DC Universe, wrote: “RIP David Lynch. You inspired so many of us.” Screenwriter Joe Russo, known for The Inheritance, Soul Mates, and The Au Pair Nightmare, added: “No one saw the world like David Lynch. The world has lost a true master of cinema today.”