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Legendary film director David Lynch has passed away at the age of 78
News of his death comes courtesy of a post on his official Facebook page.
It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch,” the statement reads.
Director David Lynch smokes a cigarette as he attends the “Twin Peaks” screening during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 25, 2017 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Matthias Nareyek/Getty Images)“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,” the post concluded.
The last line is a reference to Lynch’s fondness for delivering meteorological reports on social media, one of many quirky habits that made him a far more visible and beloved figure than more filmmakers.
A Career Without Compromise
Lynch’s contributions to the world of cinema cannot be overstated.
David Lynch walks the red carpet during the 12th Rome Film Fest at Auditorium Parco Della Musica on November 4, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)In fact, it could be said that no other director in the history of the medium has done quite so much to bring avant grade “arthouse” fare to the masses.
In addition to directing such boundary-pushing films as Eraserhead, Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, Lynch co-created the groundbreaking television series Twin Peaks.
The show was canceled at ABC after two acclaimed seasons in the early 1990s.
But in 2017, it was revived for a third season on Showtime, where it continued to wow critics and audiences.
David Lynch walks the red carpet during the 12th Rome Film Fest at Auditorium Parco Della Musica on November 4, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ernesto S. Ruscio/Getty Images)David Lynch’s Cause of Death
While no official cause of death has been announced, Lynch revealed in August of 2024 that he had developed emphysema after a lifetime of smoking.
“I’m homebound whether I like it or not,” he told Sight and Sound magazine at the time. “I can’t go out. And I can only walk a short distance before I’m out of oxygen.”
Lynch added in a social media post that he was otherwise “in excellent shape,” adding, “I am filled with happiness, and I will never retire.”
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