David Lynch, Twin Peaks’ Unique Master, Has Died

It’s a sad day for film fans. David Lynch, the influential creative master whose style became so distinctive he spawned his own adjective—”Lynchian,” of course—has passed away. The news was shared in a post on his official Facebook page:

“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.’

Lynch first came to big-screen prominence with the release of 1977 indie Eraserhead, a surreal horror tale with experimental elements starring future Twin Peaks ensemble member Jack Nance. He followed that with 1980 biopic The Elephant Man and 1984’s polarizing but cult-beloved Dune adaptation, then segued into a string of movies that solidified his distinctive dreamlike visual style and thematic curiosity: Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, and Lost Highway. After a somewhat surprising creative detour with Disney release The Straight Story, he made Mulholland Drive—which was originally intended as a TV series—and his final feature, 2006 fever-dream thriller Inland Empire.

Alongside his film career, his 1990-91 ABC TV series Twin Peaks became a cultural sensation and elevated him to more mainstream success; the show’s central mystery (“Who killed Laura Palmer?”) became an obsession among fans, as did the show’s unique setting, sense of pacing, and truly offbeat humor. Cancelled after just two seasons, Twin Peaks spawned 1992’s Fire Walk With Me feature as well as—to the breathless excitement of fans—2017’s Twin Peaks: The Return, Showtime’s 18-part limited series that represented Lynch’s last major on-screen project.

Beyond helming movies and TV (including commercials and music videos), Lynch was also a talented musician, designer, and visual artist, as well as an author and an outspoken advocate of Transcendental Meditation. Most prominently beyond his directing and writing work, however, he was also an occasional actor, playing eccentric FBI Agent Gordon Cole across Twin Peaks‘ seasons, including The Return, and most recently popping up in a memorable 2022 cameo as legendary director John Ford in Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical feature The Fabelmans.

Lynch’s influence and importance cannot be overstated, and he will be greatly missed.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.