David Lynch, Visionary Director of ‘Twin Peaks’ & ‘Blue Velvet,’ Dies at 78

David Lynch, the filmmaker known for “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive” and the TV series “Twin Peaks,” has died. He was 78.

His family shared the sad news on Facebook, writing, “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.”

They continued, “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.”

Lynch revealed in 2024 that he had been diagnosed with emphysema after a lifetime of smoking.

Lynch launched his movie career with the cult classic “Eraserhead” in 1977. He went on to direct the critically acclaimed “The Elephant Man” (1980) and the box office flop “Dune” (1984), followed by the dark and twisted “Blue Velvet” (1986) and road movie “Wild at Heart” (1990).

He changed the face of television with his murder mystery show “Twin Peaks” in 1990.

The director later returned to film with movies like “Lost Highway” (1997), “Mulholland Drive,” and “Inland Empire” (2006).

Lynch received four Oscar nominations for directing over the years and an honorary Oscar in 2020.

Nicolas Cage, who starred in “Wild at Heart” told Deadline that Lynch “was a singular genius in cinema, one of the greatest artists of this or any time.”

He continued, “He was brave, brilliant, and a maverick with a joyful sense of humor. I never had more fun on a film set than working with David Lynch. He will always be solid gold.”

Kyle MachLachlan, who starred in “Blue Velvet” and “Twin Peaks” wrote, in part, on social media, “Forty-two years ago, for reasons beyond my comprehension, David Lynch plucked me out of obscurity to star in his first and last big budget movie. He clearly saw something in me that even I didn’t recognize. I owe my entire career, and life really, to his vision.”

He added, “What I saw in him was an enigmatic and intuitive man with a creative ocean bursting forth inside of him. He was in touch with something the rest of us wish we could get to.”

“Mulholland Drive” actress Laura Harring remembered David on Instagram. She wrote, “Ohh dear David, All artists and humans who came across you, will mourn your passing on, but I know you are creating movies, writing, painting and meditating from up above. The Heavens welcome your sweet soul into Eternal Bliss. Goodbye my friend. May you rest in peace, Buddy Dave #rip #davidlynch”

While on SiriusXM’s “Town Hall hosted by Andy Cohen,” Patricia Arquette shared, “I worked on ‘Lost Highway’ with him,” adding that she recently tried to reach out. “I had this feeling like I needed to see David. David was really incredible. There’s nobody like him.”

Ben Stiller was also on the show and revealed he used to live across from David and would trick or treat at his house as a kid. He praised the filmmaker saying, “He was just a visionary director and the guy was able to take, you know, filmmaking in the commercial world and make art within it too.”