David Lynch has sadly died at the age of 78.
The renowned director was best known for his artistic vision and the direction behind Twin Peaks and Blue Velvet. Lynch’s family confirmed the news through a Facebook post. It said: “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.’”
In 2024, Lynch revealed he was no longer able to leave his home after he was was diagnosed with emphysema following a life-time of smoking. As a result, he said it was now unlikely he’d be able to leave home and direct any more, reports the Mirror.
In August, Lynch confirmed he was living with the chronic lung disease and said it was the result of ‘many years of smoking’. However, he insisted he was still in ‘excellent shape’ and pledged to ‘never retire’
Emphysema is the end stage of long-term damage to the lungs, usually due to chronic bronchitis, which is nearly always related to smoking. The airways become damaged, even destroyed, causing wheezing and increased shortness of breath. It is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Speaking to Sight & Sound Magazine, via the Independent, he said: “I’ve gotten emphysema from smoking for so long and so I’m homebound whether I like it or not. It would be very bad for me to get sick, even with a cold.” He went on to say he cannot ‘go out’ over fears he’ll get Covid, and is only able to ‘walk a short distance’ before he runs ‘out of oxygen’.”
Lynch also revealed that even just walking more than a couple of feet was a real challenge and spoke about his Covid concerns. He added: “We don’t know what the future will bring, but we remain hopeful.”
Lynch revealed in 2024 that he could no longer leave home. He was diagnosed with emphysema following a life-time of smoking.
(Image: Getty)
He also posted on Twitter over the summer and said that his emphysema diagnosis was the ‘price to pay’ for his smoking, despite having kicked the habit two years earlier.
Aside from Twin Peaks, Lynch was also known for directing Lost Highway and Mullholland Drive.
The auteur’s last work was his 2017 revival series Twin Peaks: The Return, which reunited him with original series stars such as Kyle MacLachlan, Sheryl Lee, Dana Ashbrook, Madchen Amick, and James Marshall, along with some of his other previous collaborators such as Laura Dern and Naomi Watts.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter .