David Lynch, Creator Of ‘Twin Peaks,’ Passes Away At 78

“Twin Peaks” creator David Lynch passed away at the age of 78.

The “Dune” director’s family announced his passing on Jan. 16 with a post on social media.

David Lynch would have turned 79 on Jan. 20.

The family of David Lynch announced his death with a post on Facebook on Jan. 16. According toPEOPLE, Lynch would have turned 79 on Jan. 20.

“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,” the family wrote.

“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.'”

Lynch was born in 1946 in Missoula, Montana. The director grew up in Boise, Idaho, and spent his childhood in the Pacific Northwest discovering the outdoors. The landscape would later inspire his mystery television series, “Twin Peaks.”

The film director later moved to Alexandria, Virginia as a teenager before moving to Philadelphia to study art at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Lynch told PEOPLE in 1990 that the city was a major influence on his films.

“I loved Philadelphia,” he said. “The most corrupt, fear-ridden city I’ve ever seen. It’s one of my major film influences.”

The director earned a spot at the American Film Institute’s Center for Advanced Film Studies in Los Angeles after his short film, “The Grandmother” was released in 1975. His first feature film, “Eraserhead,” premiered in 1977 and quickly became a cult classic.

“Eraserhead” earned Lynch a job working with famed actor, comedian, and “Young Frankenstein” director, Mel Brooks.

Brooks hired Lynch to direct a film based on circus performer Joseph Merrick, “The Elephant Man.” The 1980 film was a hit and won eight Oscar nominations. Lynch was nominated for Best Director as well as for Best Adapted Screenplay.

In 1984, Lynch directed the sci-fi film, “Dune.” The movie became another cult classic, but Lynch told The Hollywood Reporter in 2020 that the film was a “heartache” for him because he didn’t have the final cut on the project. He also was not interested in seeing the 2021 remake.

“Because it was a heartache for me,” he recalled. “It was a failure and I didn’t have [the] final cut. I’ve told this story a billion times. It’s not the film I wanted to make. I like certain parts of it very much — but it was a total failure for me.”

The director went on to direct several more films, including “Blue Velvet” in 1986 and “Wild at Heart” in 1990. Lynch was nominated for Best Director Oscars for “Blue Velvet” and his 2001 film, “Mulholland Drive.”

Lynch told Sight & Sound magazine last summer that he was diagnosed with emphysema after many years of smoking.

The Academy Award-nominated director revealed that he was “homebound” due to his condition and COVID-19.

“I’ve gotten emphysema from smoking for so long and so I’m homebound whether I like it or not,” he said. “It would be very bad for me to get sick, even with a cold.”

Per The Independent, Lynch added that he could “only walk a short distance” before he’s out of oxygen. His last project was “Twin Peaks: The Return” in 2017. The Showtime limited series is the third season of Lynch’s 1990’s ABC series, “Twin Peaks.”

The famed director also announced his condition on X, formally Twitter, on Aug. 5, 2024.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, 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,” he wrote.

Lynch added that he’d quit smoking two years prior.

“I have now quit smoking for over two years,” he continued. “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. I want you all to know that I really appreciate your concern. Love, David.”

Lynch also directed the 1992 film, “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me” based on the series. He released deleted and extended scenes from the film in “Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces” back in 2014.