David Lynch, the visionary director celebrated for his groundbreaking works such as Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive, has passed away at the age of 78. The news was shared by his family via a heartfelt post on Facebook:

"It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch. 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."

In 2024, Lynch disclosed his battle with emphysema, a condition resulting from years of smoking. Despite his diagnosis, he remained optimistic, stating:

"Yes, I have emphysema from my many years of smoking. 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. I have now quit smoking for over two years. Recently I had many tests and the good news is that I am in excellent shape except for emphysema. I am filled with happiness, and I will never retire."

Born in Missoula, Montana, in 1946, Lynch carved a niche in the film industry with his surreal neo-noir mystery films. His career took off with his debut feature, Eraserhead (1977), which became a cult classic. Lynch received Academy Award nominations for Best Director for his work on The Elephant Man (1980), Blue Velvet (1986), and Mulholland Drive (2001). Other notable films include Wild at Heart (1990) and the adaptation of Dune (1984), the latter gaining a cult following after its initial box office failure.

Lynch's most iconic contribution to television is the early 90s mystery drama series Twin Peaks, which revolves around FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper's (Kyle MacLachlan) investigation into the murder of Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee). Although the original series was canceled after two seasons, Lynch brought it back to life with the 2017 limited series Twin Peaks: The Return.

Following Lynch's passing, tributes poured in from across the film industry. DCU chief James Gunn tweeted, "RIP David Lynch. You inspired so many of us." Joe Russo, screenwriter of films like The Inheritance, Soul Mates, and The Au Pair Nightmare, echoed the sentiment, saying, "no one saw the world like David Lynch. The world lost a master of cinema today."