Renowned filmmaker David Lynch, celebrated for his iconic works Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive, passed away at the age of 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 respectfully request privacy during this time. His absence leaves a void, but as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.’ It’s a beautiful day, bathed in golden sunshine and clear blue skies.”
In 2024, Lynch publicly disclosed his emphysema diagnosis, a consequence of lifelong smoking, stating his inability to continue directing. He shared at the time: "Yes, I have emphysema from years of smoking. I enjoyed it immensely, and I love tobacco – the scent, the lighting, 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'll never retire."
Lynch's legacy is indelibly linked to the early 1990s mystery series Twin Peaks, which chronicled 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 figures from the film and television industry expressing their grief and admiration on social media. James Gunn, head of DCU, tweeted: "RIP David Lynch. A true inspiration to so many." Joe Russo, screenwriter of The Inheritance, Soul Mates, and The Au Pair Nightmare, noted: "No one perceived the world quite like David Lynch. Cinema has lost a master."
