David Lynch, the singular director behind Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks, has passed away at the age of 78.
The announcement comes via Lynch's official Facebook page. "It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch," the post 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.'
"It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way."
Lynch revealed last year that he had been diagnosed with emphysema, a condition that forced him to step away from directing. A lifelong smoker, his habit was notably chronicled in the 2016 documentary David Lynch: The Art Life, where a cigarette appeared in nearly every scene.
Beyond filmmaking, Lynch was a prolific musician, with several albums to his name. His most recent effort, Cellophane Memories, a collaboration with Twin Peaks collaborator Chrystabell, was released in 2024. He also directed music videos for artists like Chris Isaak and Nine Inch Nails and frequently cast musical icons—such as Sting and David Bowie—in his films.
Lynch first captured the film world’s attention with Eraserhead in 1977, a surreal black-and-white tale about a man caring for a deformed child. Its success led to his next project, The Elephant Man (1980), a poignant biographical drama that earned eight Academy Award nominations.
Not every project was as warmly received—his 1984 adaptation of Dune was a rare misstep. However, he rebounded in spectacular fashion with Blue Velvet in 1986, a haunting exploration of small-town secrets.
In 1990, Lynch delved further into the eerie undercurrents of Americana with Twin Peaks. The groundbreaking series, which followed the murder investigation of a high school girl in a seemingly quiet town, became a cultural phenomenon. He revisited the Twin Peaks universe in 1992 with Fire Walk With Me and again in 2017 with Twin Peaks: The Return, which critics hailed as one of the decade’s finest television series.
Among his many other lauded works are Mulholland Drive (2001), widely regarded as one of the greatest films of the 21st century, and Inland Empire (2006), his final feature-length film.
Lynch received four Academy Award nominations, three for Best Director, though he never won in competition. In 2020, the Academy recognized his extraordinary contributions to cinema with an Honorary Award. His work was also celebrated at prestigious festivals, including Cannes and Venice, and became a staple of the cult midnight-movie circuit.
Lynch’s films, defined by their dark surrealism and unflinching vision, left an indelible mark on the art of storytelling. His loss creates, as his family said, “a big hole in the world.” But the art he leaves behind ensures his legacy endures.
