David Lynch, the renowned American filmmaker and writer behind iconic works such as Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks, has died at the age of 78.
Lynch’s family announced his death on his official Facebook page, sharing heartfelt sentiments: “There is a huge hole in the world now that he is no longer with us. But, as he would say, “keep your eyes on the donut and not the hole.” … It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the time.”
Lynch, a three-time Best Director Oscar nominee, was celebrated for his groundbreaking films; Blue Velvet, The Elephant Man and Mulholland Drive. His last major project, Twin Peaks: The Return, aired in 2017 and continues the cult classic television series that captivated audiences in the early 1990s.
Known for his surreal, dreamlike storytelling, Lynch's work often challenged conventional cinematic norms. Their first major release, Eraserhead (1977), became a cult classic despite its dark and disturbing images.
Among his many accolades, Lynch won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1990 for Wild at Heart. His lifelong contributions to film were recognized in 2020 with an honorary Academy Award.
Born in Missoula, Montana, in 1946, Lynch initially devoted himself to painting before transitioning to short film in the 1960s. In August of last year he revealed that he was battling emphysema, a chronic lung disease caused by “many years of smoking.”
Despite his diagnosis, Lynch remained optimistic, declaring that he was in “excellent shape” and would “never retire.” However, his health deteriorated in the following months. In November, he told People magazine that he needed oxygen to walk.
READ ALSO TOP STORIES OF Newslodge