MIAMI, United States. – The renowned American director and screenwriter David Lynch, creator of films such as Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drivein addition to the iconic series Twin Peaksdied this Thursday, a few days after turning 79, as confirmed by his family in a post on Facebook.
“It is with deep sadness that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and artist, David Lynch. (…) There is a big hole in the world now that he is no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not the hole,’” the short note reads.
Lynch’s cause of death was not released; However, the filmmaker himself had previously stated that he suffered from emphysema.
Last summer, the director said in an interview with Sight and Sound that he had emphysema due to his prolonged smoking habit: “I have contracted emphysema from smoking for so long and that is why I am confined to the house, whether I like it or not,” he confessed. In the same interview he assured that he did not plan to film again.
Lynch began his career as a painter, until in the 1970s he broke out with the surrealist feature film Eraserheadconsolidating a career in which he surprised the public with his dark and dreamlike visions. Among his most notable works are Mulholland Drive, Blue Velvetthe series Twin Peaksthe winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes Wild at Heartand The Elephant Man. His filmography brought together actors such as Kyle McLachlan, Laura Dern, Naomi Watts and Richard Farnsworth.
Born in Missoula, Montana, the filmmaker traveled throughout his childhood and found his passion for the visual arts. A friend from his childhood remembered in the book Room to Dream (2018): “David has always had a cheerful disposition and a cheerful personality, but he has always been attracted to dark things (…) That is one of the mysteries of David.”
Lynch’s legacy endures in the way he mixed surrealism with everyday life, portraying disturbing universes that marked an entire generation of viewers and filmmakers. His family did not provide details about the place of death or the funeral, although they asked for respect and privacy during this time of mourning.
