David Lynch: Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive director dies

Visionary film director David Lynch - behind hits such as Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive - has died at the age of 78, his family has said.

A post shared on the filmmaker's Facebook page reads: "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."

Referencing Lynch's advice for budding creatives, the statement continues: "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," it concludes, in a nod to weather reports the director posted on YouTube.

Lynch's death comes just days before his 79th birthday. The cause has not been shared, but Lynch had spoken publicly about his battle with emphysema.

Hollywood pays tribute to its 'brilliant maverick'

A number famous faces have paid tribute to Lynch, including Twins Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan.

Alongside an Instagram carousel showing pictures of himself and Lynch through the years, the actor wrote: "I always found him to be the most authentically alive person I'd ever met.

"David was in tune with the universe and his own imagination on a level that seemed to be the best version of human.

"While the world has lost a remarkable artist, I've lost a dear friend who imagined a future for me and allowed me to travel in worlds I could never have conceived on my own."

Nicolas Cage, who starred in Lynch's 1990 road trip movie Wild At Heart, said in a statement: "David was a singular genius in cinema, one of the greatest artists of this or any time.

"He was brave, brilliant, and a maverick with a joyful sense of humour.

"I never had more fun on a film set than working with David Lynch. He will always be solid gold."

In a statement issued to Variety, Steven Spielberg recalled casting Lynch in his semi-autobiographical 2022 film, The Fabelmans.

"I got to know David when he played John Ford in The Fabelmans," he said. "Here was one of my heroes - David Lynch - playing one of my heroes. It was surreal and seemed like a scene out of one of David's own movies.

"The world is going to miss such an original and unique voice. His films have already stood the test of time and they always will."

Lynch began making short films in the late 1960s and his first feature-length movie - the surreal Eraserhead - was released in 1977.

His most notable projects include The Elephant Man, and neo-noirs Mulholland Drive and Blue Velvet - all of which earned him Oscar nominations. In 2019, he received an honorary Academy Award for his lifetime achievements.

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Lynch's success extended to the small screen and Twin Peaks, co-created with writer Mark Frost, is considered a cult classic.

Set in the titular fictional town, the Emmy-winning series follows the investigation into the death of local teenager Laura Palmer.

The drama debuted in 1990 and ran for two seasons. A much-hyped revival, set 25 years after the original, aired in 2017.

In his later years, Lynch devoted himself to making short films, documentaries, albums and music videos, as well as painting and posting on his YouTube channel.

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