David Lynch death updates: Tributes pour in as Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive director dies aged 78

David Lynch gives a weather report

David Lynch, the celebrated director of avant-garde films such as Eraserhead, Mulholland Drive and Elephant Man and the much loved TV show Twin Peaks, has died at the age of 78.

His family announced his death in a Facebook post on Thursday (16 January), writing, “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.’”

Lynch developed a singular style known for unsettling visuals, stream-of-consciousness storytelling style, and kitsch soundtracks. As a director he walked a tightrope between his artistic sensibilities and his inexplicable popular appeal among the more conventional moviegoing public, with New Yorker film critic Pauline Kael labelling him “the first populist surrealist”.

In his frequent collaborations with Hollywood luminaries such as Laura Dern, Kyle MacLachlan, Sheryl Lee, Naomi Watts, Jack Nance and Harry Dean Stanton, the director leaves behind an oeuvre which rivals the medium’s most accomplished auteurs.

Steven Spielberg calls Lynch a ‘singular, visionary dreamer’

(Getty )

Steven Spielberg, who cast Lynch as John Ford in his autobiographical film The Fabelmans, has remembered the director as one of his heroes.

In a statement to Variety, Spielberg said: “I loved David’s films. Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive and Elephant Man defined him as a singular, visionary dreamer who directed films that felt handmade.

“I got to know David when he played John Ford in The Fabelmans. Here was one of my heroes—David Lynch playing one of my heroes. It was surreal and seemed like a scene out of one of David’s own movies. 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.”

Kevin Perry16 January 2025 20:03

Ron Howard praises Lynch’s ‘radical experimentation’

Ron Howard in Beverly Hills in November 2022
Ron Howard in Beverly Hills in November 2022 (Getty Images)

Oscar-winning director and Happy Days star Ron Howard paid tribute to Lynch on social media, writing: “#RIPDavidLynch, a gracious man and fearless artist who followed his heart & soul and proved that radical experimentation could yield unforgettable cinema.”

Kevin Perry16 January 2025 19:53

Flying Lotus calls Lynch ‘my hero’

Flying Lotus at the Grammys in 2016
Flying Lotus at the Grammys in 2016 (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

Producer, DJ and rapper Flying Lotus shared a brief statement on Lynch’s death, writing on social media: “My hero. And one of the world’s greatest artists of any era…. He knew.”

Kevin Perry16 January 2025 19:43

Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan calls Lynch ‘a true artist’

Billy Corgan performing with The Smashing Pumpkins in Baltimore in 2007
Billy Corgan performing with The Smashing Pumpkins in Baltimore in 2007 ( Evan Agostini/Getty Images for Virgin Mobile USA)

In 1997, The Smashing Pumpkins contributed the song “Eye” to the soundtrack of Lynch’s film Lost Highway.

Frontman Billy Corgan, who Lynch once called a “magical musician”, shared a statement about the late director on social media, writing: “Truly saddened to hear of the passing of David Lynch. Working with him was like a dream out of one of his movies, and I treasure the times I got to speak with him and hear first-hand his vision for a film. I truly encourage anyone who loves movies and television to watch all that David produced. He was a true artist, through and through.”

Kevin Perry16 January 2025 19:38

Questlove remembers Lynch stressing ‘the importance of not overworking’

The Roots drummer Questlove remembered Lynch, a noted advocate of Transcendental Meditation, for his personal influence on him.

On Instagram he shared photographs of the pair together, writing: “Lynch was the first human/creative that stressed the importance of not overworking and taking time out to breathe & meditate and searching for creative avenues not in my comfort zone (he was my guiding creative light for the Somethingtofoodabout book from 2016. Took a liking to me always inviting me to his events and parties and really stressing the importance of self care. Thank You.”

Kevin Perry16 January 2025 19:28

Patton Oswalt jokes about Lynch’s surreal style

Comedian and actor Patton Oswalt jokes about Lynch’s surreal style in his tribute, writing: “David Lynch, RIP. At least that’s what the horse wearing a fez just told me* in a dream. (*Backwards and in Swedish)”

Kevin Perry16 January 2025 19:02

David Lynch, Twin Peaks and Elephant Man director, dies aged 78

Speaking to Sight & Sound magazine last year, Lynch revealed he was diagnosed with emphysema due to smoking throughout his life and said he could not “go out” due to Covid fears.

“I’ve gotten emphysema from smoking for so long and so I’m homebound whether I like it or not. It would be very bad for me to get sick, even with a cold,” he said, revealing that he “can only walk a short distance before” he’s “out of oxygen”.

Tom Murray16 January 2025 19:00

Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn pays tribute

James Gunn, director of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and DC’s upcoming Superman, paid tribute on X/Twitter writing: “RIP David Lynch. You inspired so many of us.”

Kevin Perry16 January 2025 18:58