David Lynch, the renowned director and artist celebrated for both cult and mainstream films like Blue Velvet (1986) and Mulholland Drive (2001), has died at 78. His family confirmed his passing on Facebook today, January 16. Last year, Lynch revealed he had emphysema and was confined to his home. Despite his health issues, the news of his death was met with widespread shock. Lynch is revered as an institution in cinema, as well as painting, music, and photography, making his presence a fixture in the cultural landscape.
Lynch’s departure creates a void as enigmatic as the scenes in Twin Peaks (1990–2017), his television debut. Born in Missoula, Montana, in 1946, Lynch moved frequently due to his father’s job at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which influenced the diverse settings of his later work. Initially a student at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, he left to pursue filmmaking, enrolling at the American Film Institute Conservatory in the 1970s. His work there culminated in Eraserhead (1977), a film that gradually gained a cult following and launched his career.
Lynch’s style is so ingrained in cinematic horror, surrealism, and melodrama that it often goes unnoticed. His name became synonymous with a unique subgenre of film. Iconic ‘Lynchian’ moments include the unsettling swaddled baby in Eraserhead, Dean Stockwell’s eerie performance in Blue Velvet, and Laura Dern’s haunting dash in Inland Empire (2006). Lynch also established himself as a master of the uncanny through his artwork, which predates his film career. His paintings and sculptures, characterized by distorted human figures and muted, blood-like tones, offer a tactile window into shadowy worlds.
Lynch’s extensive career includes films like The Elephant Man (1980) and The Straight Story (1999), known for their deep, intimate character interactions. Fire Walk with Me (1992) stands out as both a horror classic and an empathetic portrayal of a teenage girl’s psychological struggles. Twin Peaks is praised for its emotional depth and unique strangeness, which influenced television’s evolution. A touching scene gaining attention after his passing features Major Garland Briggs expressing love to his son, Bobby. Another popular clip involves Lynch as Gordon Cole advocating for transgender rights, with the phrase “Fix their hearts or die!” becoming a rallying cry.
Lynch’s portrayal of Cole mirrors his public persona, marked by his unique voice, halting speech, and viral social media presence. He became a living meme, a creator as if from one of his own films. As Dennis Lim noted, Lynch was like a man from another place. His absence leaves the world a little less peculiar and much poorer.
