David Lynch has died

Filmmaker, artist, musician and all-around iconoclast David Lynch has died at age 78. His family shared the sad news: “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.”

David Lynch, a lifelong enthusiastic smoker, announced last August that he had been diagnosed with emphysema and could no longer leave his house without losing his breath.

Born January 20, 1946 in Missoula, MT, Lynch began making short films in the 1960s, but it wasn’t until 1977 that he made his first feature, the iconic Eraserhead that announced him as a singular talent. His films included Blue Velvet, Lost Highway, The Elephant Man, The Straight Story, Mulholland Drive and more.

Lynch is probably best known for co-creating Twin Peaks, the endlessly influential television series that was just as weird as his movies, yet became a major hit in 1990. Lasting two seasons on ABC, the show spawned a film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, and a third season of the show in 2017, Twin Peaks: The Return.

In addition to his films, David Lynch was also a music lover and musician and he made albums with composer Angelo Badalamenti and singer Julee Cruise, as well as many solo album like 2011’s Crazy Clown Time. Last year he released Cellophane Memories, an album with Chrystabell. He also directed a few music videos for others, including the original video for Chis Isaak’s “Wicked Game.”

Lynch was also an accomplished painter and sculptor, and a vocal proponent for transcendental meditation.

Rest easy David. The world just got a little less weird, a little less beautiful.