David Lynch, the visionary filmmaker and artist who transformed American cinema and television with his dark, surrealist style in works like Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive, and Twin Peaks, has passed away at 78. Lynch, who revealed in 2024 that he had been diagnosed with emphysema after a lifetime of smoking, died surrounded by family. His family shared, “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’s works blended noir, horror, and European surrealism into enigmatic narratives that defied convention. Emerging with the cult classic Eraserhead (1977), a haunting, low-budget black-and-white feature, Lynch became a fixture in the midnight movie scene. This debut led to The Elephant Man (1980), a critically acclaimed and deeply moving biopic that earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Director.

In 1984, Lynch attempted his most ambitious project yet with Dune, an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic. Though a commercial and critical failure, it led to a creative rebirth with Blue Velvet (1986), a disturbing exploration of small-town darkness, and Wild at Heart (1990), which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes.

Lynch revolutionized television in 1990 with Twin Peaks, a series co-created with Mark Frost. Its surreal mystery—centered on the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer—broke ground for serialized TV with its mix of supernatural intrigue, quirky characters, and shocking violence. Though its popularity waned after the first season, Twin Peaks gained a cult following, spawning a feature film (Fire Walk With Me, 1992) and a critically acclaimed third season in 2017.

Later in his career, Lynch’s films Lost Highway (1997), Mulholland Drive (2001), and Inland Empire (2006) continued to explore his trademark themes of duality, identity, and psychological disarray. Mulholland Drive earned him his third Oscar nomination for Best Director, and his ability to meld dream logic with Hollywood satire cemented his reputation as a master of the surreal.

Lynch’s work extended beyond film and TV. He was an accomplished painter, musician, and advocate for transcendental meditation. The David Lynch Foundation, founded to promote meditation, attracted support from artists like Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. He also contributed a comic strip, The Angriest Dog in the World, and exhibited his artwork internationally.

Born on January 20, 1946, in Missoula, Montana, Lynch’s early artistic interests led him to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where he transitioned from painting to filmmaking. His early experiments with animation and short films culminated in Eraserhead, which established his reputation as a bold, uncompromising artist.

Despite setbacks, Lynch consistently pushed boundaries. His work inspired a generation of filmmakers and television creators, leaving a legacy of innovation and fearless creativity.

Lynch is survived by two daughters and two sons. His absence leaves a void in the world of art and storytelling, but his work will continue to challenge and inspire audiences for generations to come.