David Lynch, known for masterpieces including Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive, died at the age of 78, with actors such as Nicholas Cage leading the tributes.
The director’s death was confirmed in a statement on his official Facebook page.
“It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch.
“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 doughnut and not on the hole’.”
The visionary filmmaker passed away just days before what would have been his 79th birthday on January 20.
Lynch was renowned for his surreal-style films that transformed cinema, with his career spanning from his 1977 debut Eraserhead to 2017’s Twin Peaks: The Return.
David Lynch died at the age of 78
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Nicolas Cage, who starred in Lynch’s Palme d’Or-winning Wild at Heart, led the tributes, calling him “one of the greatest artists of this or any time”.
“He was brave, brilliant, and a maverick with a joyful sense of humour. I never had more fun on a film set than working with David Lynch. He will always be solid gold.”
Twin Peaks star Lara Flynn Boyle shared her own memories with Deadline and added: “There goes the true Willy Wonka of filmmaking. I feel like I got the golden ticket getting a chance to work with him.”
Steven Spielberg, who cast Lynch as John Ford in The Fabelmans, praised him as: “A singular, visionary dreamer who directed films that felt handmade.
Steven Spielberg honoured his time with David Lynch
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“The world is going to miss such an original and unique voice. His films have already stood the test of time and they always will.”
Kyle MacLachlan, Lynch’s collaborator of 42 years, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, describing their deep friendship that began when Lynch “plucked me out of obscurity”.
“What I saw in him was an enigmatic and intuitive man with a creative ocean bursting forth inside of him.
“While the world has lost a remarkable artist, I’ve lost a dear friend who imagined a future for me and allowed me to travel in worlds I could never have conceived on my own.”
MacLachlan concluded his tribute by saying: “David, I remain forever changed, and forever your Kale. Thank you for everything.”
Lynch’s career included landmark films such as The Elephant Man (1980), which earned him two Oscar nominations for directing and adapted screenplay.
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Lara Flynn Boyle shared her own memories when working with David Lynch
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The director achieved worldwide fame with Twin Peaks in 1990, the television series following FBI agent Dale Cooper investigating a small-town murder.
His other notable works included the first adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune in 1984, Lost Highway (1997), and The Straight Story (1999).
In 2019, Lynch received an honorary Academy Award recognising his significant contributions to cinema, despite never winning a competitive Oscar.