David Lynch has died at the age of 78.
The iconic director was best known for films such as Blue Velvet (1986), Mulhollland Drive (2001) and The Elephant Man (1980). He was also famed for directing the surrealist mystery drama series Twin Peaks.
Lynch’s family confirmed news of his passing on Facebook on Thursday (January 16), just days before his 79th birthday. In a statement, they wrote: "It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch. We would appreciate some privacy at this time."
The post, shared on the filmmaker's Facebook page, went on: “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 post concluded with a nod to the weather reports Lynch posted on YouTube. It added: "It's a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way,".
The director, who had been nominated for Best Director at the Oscars three times, had spoken publically about his battle with emphysema, a chronic lung disease. Back in 2024, Lynch revealed he had been diagnosed with the disease following a life-time of smoking.
The director said he would likely not be able to leave his house out of fears of getting sick with Covid or another illness.
Speaking to Sight & Sound Magazine, via the Independent, he said: "I’ve gotten emphysema from smoking for so long and so I’m homebound whether I like it or not. It would be very bad for me to get sick, even with a cold." He explained he cannot ‘go out’ over fears he’ll get Covid, and is only able to ‘walk a short distance’ before he runs ‘out of oxygen’."
Lynch also revealed that walking more than a couple of feet was a real challenge for him and spoke about his Covid concerns. He added: "We don’t know what the future will bring, but we remain hopeful."
In August, he confirmed he was living with the disease but that he was still in 'excellent shape' and would 'never retire'.
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