Hollywood | Jan 18, 2025 | 6 min read Visionary filmmaker David dies at 78

David Lynch, the filmmaker celebrated for his uniquely dark and dreamlike vision in such movies as Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive and the TV series Twin Peaks, has died just days before his 79th birthday. His family announced the death in a Facebook post on Thursday.

“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,’” the family’s post read. “It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.”

The cause of death and location was not immediately available. Last summer, Lynch had revealed to Sight and Sound that he was diagnosed with emphysema and would not be leaving his home because of fears of contracting the coronavirus or “even a cold”.

“I’ve gotten emphysema from smoking for so long and so I’m homebound whether I like it or not,” Lynch said, adding he didn’t expect to make another film. “I would try to do it remotely, if it comes to it,” Lynch said. “I wouldn’t like that so much.”

Lynch broke through in the 1970s with the surreal Eraserhead and rarely failed to startle and inspire audiences, peers and critics in the following decades. His notable releases ranged from the neo-noir Mulholland Drive to the skewed gothic of Blue Velvet to the eclectic and eccentric Twin Peaks, which won three Golden Globes, two Emmys and even a Grammy for its theme music.

Lynch never won a competitive Academy Award but was given an honorary Oscar.