David Lynch, Creator of "Twin Peaks," Has Died
David Lynch, a celebrated US film director and writer, has passed away at the age of 78, according to a statement from his family on Facebook. Read Full Article at RT.com.
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The family of the iconic writer and film director has announced his passing in a Facebook post.
David Lynch, the esteemed American filmmaker, has passed away at the age of 78, according to a Facebook update from his family on Thursday. Known for his surreal storytelling and striking visuals, Lynch was behind acclaimed films and television series including Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive, Blue Velvet, Dune, and The Elephant Man. The specifics regarding the cause of his death have not been disclosed.
“It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch,” his relatives shared on Facebook, expressing a need for “privacy at this time.”
“There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us,” they added.
Born in Missoula, Montana, in 1946, Lynch began his career as an art student creating experimental short films. He gained notoriety with his debut feature, Eraserhead, which became a cult classic and marked the start of his illustrious career. Lynch directed several critically acclaimed films, including Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, and Mulholland Drive, earning three Oscar nominations for Best Director.
His original Dune adaptation featured long-time collaborator Kyle McLachlan and musician Sting, among others, but Lynch later disowned the film, citing insufficient creative control.
His groundbreaking television series Twin Peaks turned into a cultural sensation, with its third season premiering in 2017. The show's haunting theme, eerie small-town atmosphere, and Lynch’s characteristic dreamlike aesthetic left a significant impact on television, even reaching audiences in post-Soviet Russia in the early 1990s.
The avant-garde mix of genres in Twin Peaks—soap opera, noir, and surrealism—resonated deeply in a nation encountering its own complex transitions.
The series first aired in 1993, becoming a cultural phenomenon that sparked extensive philosophical and cinematic commentary. It premiered shortly after the dramatic shelling of the Russian parliament during the constitutional crisis, drawing significant attention. After airing again in 1995 and 2001 with notable promotional support, the show continued to captivate audiences.
The newspaper Segodnya notably published in-depth analyses of each episode, delving into the psychoanalytic and cultural dimensions of the series. Critics likened Lynch’s creations to a psychological session, observing how he “makes the genre his patient, uncovering the unconscious absurdity within.” In 1994, Kommersant reported that questions like “Who killed Laura Palmer?” became nearly as common as political discourse.
In addition to filmmaking, Lynch was also a painter, musician, and proponent of transcendental meditation, establishing the David Lynch Foundation in 2005. His last feature film was Inland Empire, but he remained active in creating short films, music videos, and acting, including a notable role as director John Ford in Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans.
A lifelong smoker, Lynch revealed in August 2024 that he had been diagnosed with emphysema, a chronic lung condition causing shortness of breath. He acknowledged it as a consequence of his smoking habit and conveyed that directing films might no longer be possible.
Beginning smoking at the age of eight, Lynch only quit in 2022 after doctors warned him that his life was at immediate risk. “I could hardly move without gasping for air,” he shared with People magazine, explaining that he required supplemental oxygen for most activities and spent much of his time at home.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
David Lynch, the esteemed American filmmaker, has passed away at the age of 78, according to a Facebook update from his family on Thursday. Known for his surreal storytelling and striking visuals, Lynch was behind acclaimed films and television series including Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive, Blue Velvet, Dune, and The Elephant Man. The specifics regarding the cause of his death have not been disclosed.
“It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch,” his relatives shared on Facebook, expressing a need for “privacy at this time.”
“There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us,” they added.
Born in Missoula, Montana, in 1946, Lynch began his career as an art student creating experimental short films. He gained notoriety with his debut feature, Eraserhead, which became a cult classic and marked the start of his illustrious career. Lynch directed several critically acclaimed films, including Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, and Mulholland Drive, earning three Oscar nominations for Best Director.
His original Dune adaptation featured long-time collaborator Kyle McLachlan and musician Sting, among others, but Lynch later disowned the film, citing insufficient creative control.
His groundbreaking television series Twin Peaks turned into a cultural sensation, with its third season premiering in 2017. The show's haunting theme, eerie small-town atmosphere, and Lynch’s characteristic dreamlike aesthetic left a significant impact on television, even reaching audiences in post-Soviet Russia in the early 1990s.
The avant-garde mix of genres in Twin Peaks—soap opera, noir, and surrealism—resonated deeply in a nation encountering its own complex transitions.
The series first aired in 1993, becoming a cultural phenomenon that sparked extensive philosophical and cinematic commentary. It premiered shortly after the dramatic shelling of the Russian parliament during the constitutional crisis, drawing significant attention. After airing again in 1995 and 2001 with notable promotional support, the show continued to captivate audiences.
The newspaper Segodnya notably published in-depth analyses of each episode, delving into the psychoanalytic and cultural dimensions of the series. Critics likened Lynch’s creations to a psychological session, observing how he “makes the genre his patient, uncovering the unconscious absurdity within.” In 1994, Kommersant reported that questions like “Who killed Laura Palmer?” became nearly as common as political discourse.
In addition to filmmaking, Lynch was also a painter, musician, and proponent of transcendental meditation, establishing the David Lynch Foundation in 2005. His last feature film was Inland Empire, but he remained active in creating short films, music videos, and acting, including a notable role as director John Ford in Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans.
A lifelong smoker, Lynch revealed in August 2024 that he had been diagnosed with emphysema, a chronic lung condition causing shortness of breath. He acknowledged it as a consequence of his smoking habit and conveyed that directing films might no longer be possible.
Beginning smoking at the age of eight, Lynch only quit in 2022 after doctors warned him that his life was at immediate risk. “I could hardly move without gasping for air,” he shared with People magazine, explaining that he required supplemental oxygen for most activities and spent much of his time at home.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
