Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive Director David Lynch Dies Aged 78

Renowned filmmaker David Lynch, celebrated for his visionary work on 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, both the man and the artist. We request privacy during this difficult time. His absence leaves a void in the world. However, 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, a consequence of lifelong smoking, stating his inability to continue directing. He shared at the time: "Yes, I have emphysema due to years of smoking. I must admit, I greatly enjoyed smoking; I loved tobacco—the aroma, the act of lighting a cigarette, the smoking itself—but there's a price to pay, and for me, that price is emphysema. I've quit smoking for over two years now. Recent tests show I'm in excellent health aside from the emphysema. I'm filled with happiness, and I will never retire."

Born in Missoula, Montana, in 1946, Lynch gained fame for his surreal, neo-noir mystery films. His debut feature, 1977's Eraserhead, achieved midnight movie success. He received Academy Award nominations for Best Director for The Elephant Man (1980), Blue Velvet (1986), and Mulholland Drive (2001). His directorial credits also include Wild at Heart (1990) and the 1984 adaptation of Dune, the latter initially a box office disappointment but later achieving cult classic status.

Lynch's legacy is indelibly linked to the early 1990s mystery series Twin Peaks, which follows 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 directors, producers, and screenwriters expressing their grief on social media. James Gunn, head of DCU, tweeted: "RIP David Lynch. You inspired so many of us." Joe Russo, screenwriter of several films, tweeted: "No one saw the world like David Lynch. The world lost a master of cinema today."