David Lynch Dead at 78 After Emphysema Battle

David Lynch. Michael Tran/FilmMagic

David Lynch, the famed director behind Eraserhead, The Elephant Man and Mulholland Drive and the cocreator of Twin Peaks, has died. He was 78.

Lynch’s family announced the news in a Facebook post on Thursday, January 16. “It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch,” the wrote. “We would appreciate some privacy at this time. 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.”

Born in Montana in January 1946, Lynch released his first feature film, Eraserhead, in 1977, writing, directing, producing and editing the eventual cult classic. As he made his mark on the industry, he went on to direct 1980’s The Elephant Man, 1984’s Dune, 1986’s Blue Velvet, 1990’s Wild at Heart, 1997’s Lost Highway, 1999’s The Straight Story, 2001’s Mulholland Drive and 2006’s Inland Empire.

In addition to earning Oscar nominations for The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, Lynch received widespread praise for Twin Peaks, the ABC television series he cocreated with Mark Frost. Though the show only ran for two seasons from 1990 to 1991, it gained a massive following and spawned a revival in 2017.

A diverse talent, Lynch was also known for his work as a painter, musician, actor and photographer.

In August 2024, Lynch revealed that he had been diagnosed with emphysema in 2020 after decades of smoking. He told Sight and Sound at the time that he was housebound and would likely be unable to direct any future projects in person.

Three months later, Lynch elaborated on his condition, explaining that he needed oxygen to walk as a result of his decades-long smoking habit. According to the late director, he was an avid smoker from the ages of 8 to 76.

“In the back of every smoker’s mind is the fact that it’s healthy, so you’re literally playing with fire,” he told People in November 2024. “It can bite you. I took a chance, and I got bit.”

Despite his diagnosis, Lynch noted that he was not able to quit smoking until two years after he learned of his condition. “I saw the writing on the wall, and it said, ‘You’re going to die in a week if you don’t stop,’” he recalled. “I could hardly move without gasping for air. Quitting was my only choice.”

Emphysema causes intense shortness of breath, which made it hard for Lynch to complete even the most routine activities. “It’s tough living with emphysema,” he continued. “I can hardly walk across a room. It’s like you’re walking around with a plastic bag around your head.”

Lynch joked that he didn’t mind being homebound after his diagnosis, quipping, “I never really liked going out before, so it’s a nice excuse.” However, he realized he should have given up smoking sooner. “I don’t regret it. It was important to me,” he said of his smoking habit. “I wish what every addict wishes for: that what we love is good for us.”

Lynch went on to describe how smoking influenced his career. “I loved the smell of tobacco, the taste of tobacco. I loved lighting cigarettes,” he shared. “It was part of being a painter and a filmmaker for me.”

Despite his love of smoking, Lynch hoped to use his diagnosis to inspire other smokers to quit. “I really wanted to get this across: Think about it. You can quit these things that are going to end up killing you,” he said. “I owe it to them — and to myself — to say that.”

Lynch is survived by his four children: daughter Jennifer with ex-wife Peggy Reavey, son Austin with ex-wife Mary Fisk, son Riley with ex-wife Mary Sweeney and daughter Lula with ex-wife Emily Stofle.