Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive Director David Lynch Dies Aged 78

Renowned filmmaker David Lynch, celebrated for his iconic works 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, the man and the artist. We respectfully request privacy during this time. His absence leaves a void, but as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.’ It’s a beautiful day, bathed in golden sunshine and clear blue skies.”

In 2024, Lynch publicly revealed an emphysema diagnosis resulting from years of smoking, stating his inability to continue directing. He shared at the time: "Yes, I have emphysema from my many years of smoking. I enjoyed smoking immensely, and I love tobacco – the scent, the act of lighting a cigarette, the smoking itself – but there's a price, and for me, it's emphysema. I've quit for over two years. Recent tests show I'm in excellent health except for 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, became a midnight movie sensation. He received Academy Award nominations for Best Director for The Elephant Man (1980), Blue Velvet (1986), and Mulholland Drive (2001). He also directed 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, following FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper's investigation into the murder of Laura Palmer. 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 prominent figures expressing their grief and acknowledging Lynch's profound influence. DCU head James Gunn 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."