David Lynch, Creator Of 'Blue Velvet,' 'Twin Peaks' Dies At 78

LOS ANGELES, CA — Oscar-nominated director David Lynch, known best for films such as "Blue Velvet" and "The Elephant Man," as well as the television drama "Twin Peaks," has died at age 78.

Family members of Lynch announced the news of the filmmaker's death on social media Thursday, saying "It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch."

The cause of death and location was not immediately available, but Lynch had been public about his emphysema.

"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,'" the post read. "It's a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way."

Lynch was a onetime artist who broke through in the 1970s with the surreal "Eraserhead" and rarely failed to startle and inspire audiences and peers in the following decades.

His notable releases ranged from the neo-noir "Mulholland Drive" to the skewed Gothic of "Blue Velvet" to the eclectic and eccentric "Twin Peaks."His other credits included the crime story "Wild at Heart," winner of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival; the biographical drama "The Elephant Man" and the G-rated, straightforward "The Straight Story."

News of Lynch's passing comes after the director announced that he would be homebound due to his fear of contracting COVID-19 on top of debilitating emphysema, likely ending his legendary film career last August.

The director of "Blue Velvet" and "Twin Peaks" opened up to the British magazine Sight & Sound about his likely retirement due to health concerns. The avant-garde director admitted he doesn't feel safe leaving his Los Angeles home.

"I've gotten emphysema from smoking for so long, and so I'm homebound whether I like it or not," the 78-year-old Lynch told the publication. "It would be very bad for me to get sick, even with a cold."

RELATED: David Lynch Is Homebound In LA And May Retire Due To His Health

The director added he "can only walk a short distance before" running out of oxygen.
The disease likely means he will have to retire, he admitted.

Emphysema, also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is mainly caused by smoking, air pollution and exposure to dust and chemicals. The World Health Organization has predicted it will become the third-leading cause of death worldwide by 2030.

A Montana native, author and musician known for his deep dives into the surreal, Lynch rose to fame with the television show "Twin Peaks." It has become something of a bookend to his career: Lynch's last major project was Showtime's "Twin Peaks: The Return" in 2017.

The revival of the ABC series was well-received by critics and fans alike. The director's last movie was 2006's "Inland Empire."

Associated Press contributed to this report.