Hollywood is mourning the passing of the renowned filmmaker, director, actor, and musician, David Lynch. The surrealist visionary behind classic films such as Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive, and Twin Peaks has left a massive hole in the world of film and television. The news was confirmed by his family in a heartfelt Facebook post.
Colleagues and collaborators across the industry are paying tribute to Lynch, hailed as “one of the greatest artists of this or any time” by actor Nicolas Cage, who worked with him on Wild at Heart. Other industry legends, such as Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg, have shared emotional tributes on social media.
Lynch, who has smoked cigarettes since he was 8 years old, had been battling health issues following his 2020 emphysema diagnosis. The reactions from his fans and the wider film community show the immense impact his work had on them and their creative paths.
With four Academy Award nominations and an honorary Oscar in 2019, Lynch’s unique blend of strangeness and ordinary life will be remembered for years to come. His surreal visions have cemented his status as one of the most influential filmmakers of all time.
From iconic films to tributes, here is a celebration of David Lynch’s life and artistry, shaped by those in the film community and his legions of devoted fans:
Read a selection of tributes here:
[R] was a singular genius in cinema, one of the greatest artists of this or any time… He will always be solid gold.
– Nicolas Cage, to Deadline
[F]earless artist whose radical experimentation with cinema brought about an unforgettable era.
– Ron Howard, on Twitter
This is devastating. What a life… What an imagination… I’ve never experienced his work more movingly than yesterday, after an interview. ‘The elephant has a beautiful mustache…’ #DavidLynch
– Patton Oswalt, on Twitter