Visionary writer and director David Lynch has passed away today, January 16th, at the age of 78.
To list the monumental influences he has had upon cinema would take more space than one article has to offer, but we at The Lineup would like to at least acknowledge some of his greatest accomplishments, in memoriam.
Born January 20th, 1946 in Missoula, Montana, Lynch’s first love was painting. He enrolled in the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, with his sights set on a career as an artist.
It was here that Lynch made his first short film, Six Men Getting Sick (Six Times), which was conceptualized from his desire to see his paintings move.
10 years later, Lynch would write and direct the iconic horror film Eraserhead. A greatly misunderstood film at the time of it’s release, it went on to become a favorite of the likes of Stanley Kubrick, and first cemented Lynch as a surrealist genius.
Of course, Lynch has made a notable mark on more than just the horror genre. He is a revolutionary filmmaker in the neo-noir realm as well.
In 1986, Lynch wrote and directed the erotic psychological thriller Blue Velvet. In 2001, he released another genre favorite, Mulholland Drive.
His three most affecting films, Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, and Mulholland Drive broadened the scope of their respective genres. Because of Lynch, body horror took on new life, and a world of feminine anti-heroes rose up amidst suburban dystopias.
Still, it’s hard to argue that David Lynch’s most pivotal work was anything other than Twin Peaks.
Though the 1990 series was short-lived (albeit revisited with a feature film prequel and third-season revival), the dark humor, tense atmosphere, and auteur-driven storytelling made the show a cult classic.
Aspects of Twin Peaks can still be found rippling across television today, influencing everything from comedies to serious dramas.
In August of 2024, Lynch announced that, after a lifetime of smoking, he had been diagnosed with emphysema. As such, he would be unable to continue working as an in-person director.
His family announced his death early today via Facebook, 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.'”
David Lynch is survived by four children and an unforgettable career in television and film.
Want to look back on more of David Lynch's career? Check out the books below:
David Lynch Swerves
