David Lynch -- the singular and surreal director of "Mulholland Drive" and television's "Twin Peaks," who depicted the darkness lurking beneath the wholesome surface of American life -- has died. He was 78 years old.
An enigmatic artist who turned his hand to arthouse and blockbuster film, television, painting and music, Lynch was considered one of US cinema's great auteurs.
"It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch," read a statement on his official Facebook page.
The cause and location of death were not specified. Lynch, who lived in Los Angeles, had suffered from emphysema after years of heavy smoking.
He emerged on the US indie scene with his creepy 1977 horror
"Eraserhead," and drew both acclaim and a cult following with sadomasochist mystery "Blue Velvet" (1986) and surreal thriller "Mulholland Drive" (2001).
But he may be best remembered for his mesmerizing 1990s series "Twin Peaks," which paved the way for many a prestige television drama.
With four Oscar nominations, including a trio of best director nods, the filmmaker recognizable by his shock of white hair took home just one honorary statuette, in 2019.
<h2>- 'Fearless' -</h2>
Tributes from across Hollywood swiftly poured in.
Steven Spielberg called Lynch "a singular, visionary dreamer who directed films that felt handmade," while Francis Ford Coppola said he was "astounded and heartbroken" by the "profound loss of the great David Lynch."
Fellow director Ron Howard hailed "a gracious man and fearless artist" who "proved that radical experimentation could yield unforgettable cinema."
Kyle MacLachlan, who starred in "Twin Peaks" and several Lynch films, called Lynch "an enigmatic and intuitive man with a creative ocean bursting forth inside of him."
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"I owe my entire career, and life really, to his vision," he wrote on Instagram.
Born in small-town Montana in 1946, the son of an agricultural research scientist, Lynch travelled extensively around Middle America as a young man.
He attended fine arts colleges in Boston and Philadelphia before joining the American Film Institute, where he began work on "Eraserhead."
That was followed by 1980's "The Elephant Man," also shot in black-and-white and deeply tragic, but decidedly more mainstream and accessible, earning his first best director Oscar nomination.
Based on the diary of Joseph Merrick, the so-called "Elephant Man" born in the United States in 1862 with a condition that gave him a severely deformed physical appearance, it starred Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt.
An attempt to adapt sci-fi novel "Dune" in 1984 would be one of Lynch's less well-received efforts, though it still has its admirers.
Lynch pivoted back to his arthouse roots with "Blue Velvet," about a young man whose discovery of a severed ear leads him to the sinister side of his small town.
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It starred Isabella Rossellini -- whom Lynch dated for several years -- and is often heralded as his greatest work, earning a second Academy Award nomination for directing.&nbsp;
After winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes with "Wild at Heart" in 1990, Lynch turned to television with "Twin Peaks," which captivated and shocked Americans from its 1990 launch.
The tale of a tight-knit northwestern town reacting to the rape and murder of a popular but troubled high school girl, it was years ahead of its time.
But ratings plummeted as the show's second season lost direction after the purported meddling of ABC executives, and it was cancelled. An even darker 1992 prequel film was initially panned, but is now considered a classic.
<h2>- 'Big hole' -</h2>
In 2001, Lynch made his second undisputed masterpiece, "Mulholland Drive," which brought a third best director Oscar nomination.
Naomi Watts plays a naive actress who meets a mysterious brunette suffering amnesia, before everything gets inverted in an astonishing twist that has fans arguing over its meaning to this day.
Film writer David Thomson called it "one of the greatest films ever made about the cultural devastation caused by Hollywood."
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-david-lynch-reveals-he-started-smoking-at-the-age-of-8-uses-supplemental-oxygen-now-to-walk-776509">David Lynch reveals he started smoking at the age of 8, uses supplemental oxygen now to walk&nbsp;</a>
Lynch's final full-length feature film was 2006's inscrutable "Inland Empire," although he returned to the world of "Twin Peaks" with an acclaimed sequel series for cable network Showtime in 2017.
He never retired, continuing to produce short films, music and paintings, and practice his beloved daily transcendental meditation, from his studio and home -- appropriately located just outside Hollywood, on Mulholland Drive.
He regularly posted whimsical weather updates to YouTube, underlining the optimistic and playful man behind his often troubling art.
"There's a big hole in the world now that he's no longer with us," said his family's statement.
"But, as he would say, 'Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.'"
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

An enigmatic artist who turned his hand to arthouse and blockbuster film, television, painting and music, Lynch was considered one of US cinema's great auteurs.

David Lynch -- the singular and surreal director of "Mulholland Drive" and television's "Twin Peaks," who depicted the darkness lurking beneath the wholesome surface of American life -- has died. He was 78 years old. An enigmatic artist who turned his hand to arthouse and blockbuster film, television, painting and music, Lynch was considered one of US cinema's great auteurs. "It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch," read a statement on his official Facebook page. The cause and location of death were not specified. Lynch, who lived in Los Angeles, had suffered from emphysema after years of heavy smoking. He emerged on the US indie scene with his creepy 1977 horror "Eraserhead," and drew both acclaim and a cult following with sadomasochist mystery "Blue Velvet" (1986) and surreal thriller "Mulholland Drive" (2001). But he may be best remembered for his mesmerizing 1990s series "Twin Peaks," which paved the way for many a prestige television drama. With four Oscar nominations, including a trio of best director nods, the filmmaker recognizable by his shock of white hair took home just one honorary statuette, in 2019. - 'Fearless' - Tributes from across Hollywood swiftly poured in. Steven Spielberg called Lynch "a singular, visionary dreamer who directed films that felt handmade," while Francis Ford Coppola said he was "astounded and heartbroken" by the "profound loss of the great David Lynch." Fellow director Ron Howard hailed "a gracious man and fearless artist" who "proved that radical experimentation could yield unforgettable cinema." Kyle MacLachlan, who starred in "Twin Peaks" and several Lynch films, called Lynch "an enigmatic and intuitive man with a creative ocean bursting forth inside of him." Tom Holland on film with Christopher Nolan: Don't know anything about it "I owe my entire career, and life really, to his vision," he wrote on Instagram. Born in small-town Montana in 1946, the son of an agricultural research scientist, Lynch travelled extensively around Middle America as a young man. He attended fine arts colleges in Boston and Philadelphia before joining the American Film Institute, where he began work on "Eraserhead." That was followed by 1980's "The Elephant Man," also shot in black-and-white and deeply tragic, but decidedly more mainstream and accessible, earning his first best director Oscar nomination. Based on the diary of Joseph Merrick, the so-called "Elephant Man" born in the United States in 1862 with a condition that gave him a severely deformed physical appearance, it starred Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt. An attempt to adapt sci-fi novel "Dune" in 1984 would be one of Lynch's less well-received efforts, though it still has its admirers. Lynch pivoted back to his arthouse roots with "Blue Velvet," about a young man whose discovery of a severed ear leads him to the sinister side of his small town. Interstellar re-release: Christopher Nolan's sci-fi to hit theatres in India on this date It starred Isabella Rossellini -- whom Lynch dated for several years -- and is often heralded as his greatest work, earning a second Academy Award nomination for directing. After winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes with "Wild at Heart" in 1990, Lynch turned to television with "Twin Peaks," which captivated and shocked Americans from its 1990 launch. The tale of a tight-knit northwestern town reacting to the rape and murder of a popular but troubled high school girl, it was years ahead of its time. But ratings plummeted as the show's second season lost direction after the purported meddling of ABC executives, and it was cancelled. An even darker 1992 prequel film was initially panned, but is now considered a classic. - 'Big hole' - In 2001, Lynch made his second undisputed masterpiece, "Mulholland Drive," which brought a third best director Oscar nomination. Naomi Watts plays a naive actress who meets a mysterious brunette suffering amnesia, before everything gets inverted in an astonishing twist that has fans arguing over its meaning to this day. Film writer David Thomson called it "one of the greatest films ever made about the cultural devastation caused by Hollywood." David Lynch reveals he started smoking at the age of 8, uses supplemental oxygen now to walk Lynch's final full-length feature film was 2006's inscrutable "Inland Empire," although he returned to the world of "Twin Peaks" with an acclaimed sequel series for cable network Showtime in 2017. He never retired, continuing to produce short films, music and paintings, and practice his beloved daily transcendental meditation, from his studio and home -- appropriately located just outside Hollywood, on Mulholland Drive. He regularly posted whimsical weather updates to YouTube, underlining the optimistic and playful man behind his often troubling art. "There's a big hole in the world now that he's no longer with us," said his family's statement. "But, as he would say, 'Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.'" Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

David Lynch, director of films Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, passes away at 78

Filmmaker David Lynch has spoken out about the dangers of smoking, revealing that he started smoking at the age of eight and now needs supplemental oxygen to walk even small distances.&nbsp;In August, the Twin Peaks director revealed that he had been diagnosed with emphysema, a chronic lung condition that causes shortness of breath.&nbsp;

Lynch took to X and wrote, “I enjoyed smoking very much … but there is a price to pay for this enjoyment, and the price for me is emphysema.” 
 
Now, the life-long smoker is urging others to quit and giving his own example. While speaking to People magazine, Lynch revealed the exact extent of his emphysema, saying he needs supplemental oxygen for most activities. “I can hardly walk across a room. It’s like you’re walking around with a plastic bag around your head," the director revealed.

Lynch told People that smoking had been “a big important part of my life … it was part of being a painter and a film-maker for me.” 
 
Lynch was often photographed in public outings and press interactions smoking – and his love also played out on screen with characters in Twin Peaks and films such as Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive regularly lighting up. 
 
The director had quit smoking 'many, many times' over the years. “But when it got tough, I’d have that first cigarette, and it was a one-way trip to heaven. Then you’re back smoking again.”

<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/life-fun/food-and-travel/7-foods-that-help-in-quitting-smoking-1709128945342" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/life-fun/food-and-travel/7-foods-that-help-in-quitting-smoking-1709128945342&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwih_6fjxd6JAxUcZvUHHaOML7wQFnoECAgQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XzpM7M2VxXWXylGPjqNzH" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/life-fun/food-and-travel/7-foods-that-help-in-quitting-smoking-1709128945342" target="_blank">No Smoking&nbsp;Day 2024: 7 Foods That Can Help You&nbsp;Quit Smoking</a> 
 
Even after he was diagnosed with emphysema in 2020, the director admitted he didn't quit for two more years. “I saw the writing on the wall and it said, ‘You’re going to die in a week if you don’t stop,’” Lynch told People. “I could hardly move without gasping for air. Quitting was my only choice.” 
 
At present, Lynch is mostly homebound due to his illness and is wary of catching infection which may aggravate the disease.&nbsp; 
 
It has made working on a film set impossible, though he has said he is open to directing remotely in the future. His last feature was 2006’s Inland Empire, and his last major screen project was 2017’s Twin Peaks reboot, though he continued to make webisodes, short films and music videos, most recently as part of his collaboration with the US singer Chrystabell. 
 
Lynch admits he has paid the price for smoking but he did not regret it but wanted others to learn from his experience. “I really wanted to get this across: Think about it. You can quit these things that are going to end up killing you.”

Filmmaker David Lynch has spoken out about the dangers of smoking, revealing that he started smoking at the age of eight and now needs supplemental oxygen to walk even small distances.

Filmmaker David Lynch has spoken out about the dangers of smoking, revealing that he started smoking at the age of eight and now needs supplemental oxygen to walk even small distances. In August, the Twin Peaks director revealed that he had been diagnosed with emphysema, a chronic lung condition that causes shortness of breath. Lynch took to X and wrote, “I enjoyed smoking very much … but there is a price to pay for this enjoyment, and the price for me is emphysema.” Now, the life-long smoker is urging others to quit and giving his own example. While speaking to People magazine, Lynch revealed the exact extent of his emphysema, saying he needs supplemental oxygen for most activities. “I can hardly walk across a room. It’s like you’re walking around with a plastic bag around your head," the director revealed. Lynch told People that smoking had been “a big important part of my life … it was part of being a painter and a film-maker for me.” Lynch was often photographed in public outings and press interactions smoking – and his love also played out on screen with characters in Twin Peaks and films such as Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive regularly lighting up. The director had quit smoking 'many, many times' over the years. “But when it got tough, I’d have that first cigarette, and it was a one-way trip to heaven. Then you’re back smoking again.” No Smoking Day 2024: 7 Foods That Can Help You Quit Smoking Even after he was diagnosed with emphysema in 2020, the director admitted he didn't quit for two more years. “I saw the writing on the wall and it said, ‘You’re going to die in a week if you don’t stop,’” Lynch told People. “I could hardly move without gasping for air. Quitting was my only choice.” At present, Lynch is mostly homebound due to his illness and is wary of catching infection which may aggravate the disease. It has made working on a film set impossible, though he has said he is open to directing remotely in the future. His last feature was 2006’s Inland Empire, and his last major screen project was 2017’s Twin Peaks reboot, though he continued to make webisodes, short films and music videos, most recently as part of his collaboration with the US singer Chrystabell. Lynch admits he has paid the price for smoking but he did not regret it but wanted others to learn from his experience. “I really wanted to get this across: Think about it. You can quit these things that are going to end up killing you.”

David Lynch reveals he started smoking at the age of 8, uses supplemental oxygen now to walk 

Hollywood film director David Lynch disclosed Monday he was living with emphysema, a chronic lung disease, but it has not forced him into retirement.

"Yes, I have emphysema from my many years of smoking," Lynch wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Lynch, 78, had originally discussed the diagnosis in an interview published in the British film magazine Sight and Sound, where he said the condition affected his mobility and that he was only able to continue directing remotely, according to multiple media reports. 
The director framed emphysema, a chronic lung condition that causes shortness of breath, as a "price" for his smoking habit.

"I have to say that I enjoyed smoking very much, and I do love tobacco -- the smell of it, lighting cigarettes on fire, smoking them -- but there is a price to pay for this enjoyment, and the price for me is emphysema," he wrote.&nbsp;

In the same social media post, Lynch said he has not smoked cigarettes in over two years and that -- barring the emphysema diagnosis -- he was "in excellent shape."&nbsp;

"I am filled with happiness, and I will never retire," Lynch wrote. "I want you all to know that I really appreciate your concern."

The beloved cult figure is known for his mystery television series "Twin Peaks" and 10 feature films, including the Oscar-nominated "Mulholland Drive," "Blue Velvet" and "The Elephant Man."

His last film-related project was a rebooted third season of "Twin Peaks" called "Twin Peaks: the Return," which premiered on US network Showtime in 2017.

(This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.)

Hollywood film director David Lynch disclosed Monday he was living with emphysema, a chronic lung disease, but it has not forced him into retirement. "Yes, I have emphysema from my many years of smoking," Lynch wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Hollywood film director David Lynch disclosed Monday he was living with emphysema, a chronic lung disease, but it has not forced him into retirement. "Yes, I have emphysema from my many years of smoking," Lynch wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Lynch, 78, had originally discussed the diagnosis in an interview published in the British film magazine Sight and Sound, where he said the condition affected his mobility and that he was only able to continue directing remotely, according to multiple media reports. The director framed emphysema, a chronic lung condition that causes shortness of breath, as a "price" for his smoking habit. "I have to say that I enjoyed smoking very much, and I do love tobacco -- the smell of it, lighting cigarettes on fire, smoking them -- but there is a price to pay for this enjoyment, and the price for me is emphysema," he wrote. In the same social media post, Lynch said he has not smoked cigarettes in over two years and that -- barring the emphysema diagnosis -- he was "in excellent shape." "I am filled with happiness, and I will never retire," Lynch wrote. "I want you all to know that I really appreciate your concern." The beloved cult figure is known for his mystery television series "Twin Peaks" and 10 feature films, including the Oscar-nominated "Mulholland Drive," "Blue Velvet" and "The Elephant Man." His last film-related project was a rebooted third season of "Twin Peaks" called "Twin Peaks: the Return," which premiered on US network Showtime in 2017. (This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.)

David Lynch reveals he has emphysema, vows to 'never' retire

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David Lynch, director of films Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, passes away at 78

David Lynch reveals he started smoking at the age of 8, uses supplemental oxygen now to walk

David Lynch reveals he has emphysema, vows to 'never' retire