Twin Peaks creator David Lynch dies aged 78, family says

American filmmaker, writer, and artist David Lynch has died at the age of 78, his family confirmed. Lynch was the co-creator of the groundbreaking television series "Twin Peaks," as well as the director of classic films such as "Blue Velvet," "The Elephant Man," and "Mulholland Drive."

The news was released by Lynch's family via his Facebook page, with a statement that read, "His passing leaves a huge void in the world." The statement also quoted Lynch as saying, "Focus on the donuts, not the hole." The cause and location of Lynch's death have not been released at this time. Last summer, Lynch revealed in an interview with Sight & Sound magazine that he had been diagnosed with emphysema and would not be leaving his home due to concerns about catching COVID-19 or even a cold. "I've got emphysema from smoking so I'm just stuck at home, whether I like it or not," Lynch said, adding that he did not expect to make any more films.

Lynch was known for his innovative filmmaking style, with his works being visually striking, filled with dreamlike sequences and bizarre imagery that was unsettling and difficult to comprehend. He was a painter who broke into the mainstream with the surrealist film "Eraserhead" in the 1970s, and continued to shock and inspire audiences, peers, and critics alike in the decades that followed. His most notable works include the neo-noir film "Mulholland Drive," the twisted gothic "Blue Velvet," and the eclectic, quirky "Twin Peaks." "Twin Peaks" garnered three Golden Globe Awards, two Emmy Awards, and even a Grammy for its theme music. Film critic Pauline Kael called Lynch "the first popular surrealist — a Frank Capra with a dream logic." "Lynchian" became a distinct style, but ultimately belonged to him alone. Lynch's films extracted unsettling surrealist mysteries and disturbing noir nightmares from the mundane.

The filmmaker never won a competitive Oscar. He received directing nominations for "The Elephant Man," "Blue Velvet," and "Mulholland Drive," and was awarded an honorary Lifetime Achievement Oscar in 2019. The acclaimed director was married four times and had four children. Many filmmakers and industry peers paid tribute to Lynch, with his longtime collaborator Kyle MacLachlan writing a tribute to the filmmaker on social media. MacLachlan's career breakthrough came when Lynch cast him as Paul Atreides in his 1984 version of "Dune."

MacLachlan said, "Forty-two years ago, for reasons I can’t comprehend, David Lynch plucked me from obscurity to be in his first and last big-budget film. He obviously saw something in me that I didn’t even realize was there. My entire career, and even my life, owes so much to his vision." He also stated, "I will miss him more than my words can convey and my heart can bear. My world is a much fuller place because of knowing him and a much emptier place now that he is gone. David, I am forever changed by you, forever yours, Kyle. Thank you for everything.” Filmmakers such as James Gunn, Ron Howard, and Jeremy O Harris also paid tribute to Lynch on social media. Director Steven Spielberg, who had Lynch play director John Ford in his 2022 film "The Fabelmans," said in a statement, "The world has lost one of its most original and unique voices." He also stated that, "'Blue Velvet,' 'Mulholland Drive,' and 'The Elephant Man' defined him as a singular, visionary dreamer whose movies felt like they were hand-crafted."

Nicolas Cage, who starred in Lynch's 1990 Palme d'Or-winning road movie "Wild at Heart," told Deadline that he considers Lynch "a singular genius in cinema, one of the greatest artists of this or any time." He said, "He was courageous, brilliant, and a maverick with a sense of humor. I never had more fun on a film set than when I was working with David Lynch. He will always be pure gold."