Writer and director David Lynch, best known for creating TV series Twin Peaks and film Blue Velvet, has died at the age of 78.
News of his passing was announced via a family statement shared on his official Facebook page today (January 16).
"It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch," the statement begins. "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'. It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way."
The Mulholland Drive and The Elephant Man director revealed in a social media post in August last year that he had been diagnosed with emphysema, following "many years of smoking".
Lynch additionally went on to share that he had quit smoking for over two years and that despite his diagnosis he would "never retire".
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In an interview in November, the filmmaker later confirmed that he had first been diagnosed with the condition in 2020.
Lynch began his filmmaking career in the 1960s, coming to wider attention following the release of 1977 horror film Eraserhead, which he also wrote the screenplay for.
The 1980 film The Elephant Man, starring John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins, earned Lynch his first Academy Award nomination for Best Director. He would go on to earn a further two Oscar nominations for Blue Velvet (1986) and Mulholland Drive (2001).
Lynch is also best remembered for creating the cult mystery drama Twin Peaks alongside producer Mark Frost. The show aired in 1990 and ran for two seasons before being cancelled.
Twin Parks then returned for a third season in 2017 which aired on Showtime in the US. Lynch appeared on screen in the third season as FBI Deputy Director Gordon Cole.
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