Cinema has lost a good one today. While the news of David Lynch’s passing seems less real than anything the director has done, we mourn his loss along with the other filmmakers and actors who had the privilege of being part of the Lynchian era. And we pour him a cup of very good coffee.
Contemporary actor and contemporary film partner Steven Spielberg, shared a statement with Variety about the incredible loss of his peer: “I loved David’s movies. Blue Velvet, Mulholland Driveagain The Elephant Man he described him as a one-man, visionary who directed films that felt handmade,” Spielberg recalled. “I met David when he played John Ford The Fabelmans. Here is one of my heroes—David Lynch playing one of my heroes. It was surreal and seemed like a scene from one of David’s movies. The world will lose such a unique voice. His films have stood the test of time and always will. “
Friend and long-time editor Kyle MacLachlan paid tribute to Lynch on Instagram: “Forty-two years ago, for reasons beyond my understanding, David Lynch brought me out of hiding to star in his first and last big budget. He saw clearly something that I could not see. I owe my entire career, and indeed my life, to his vision.
What I saw in him was a mysterious and intuitive man with an old ocean bubbling up inside him. He was connected to something that we all aspire to achieve.
Our friendship grew Blue velvet then Twin Peaks and I always found him to be the most genuine person I ever met.
David was in tune with the universe and his imagination to a degree that seemed to be the best kind of person. He didn’t care about the answers because he understood that questions are the impetus that makes us who we are. They are our spirit.
Although the world has lost a great singer, I have lost a dear friend who thought about my future and allowed me to travel to countries that I would never have conceived on my own.
I can see him now, standing up to greet me in his yard, with a warm smile and a big hug and that beautiful plain squeal of a voice. We talked over coffee, the joy of the unexpected, the beauty of the world, and laughed.
His love for me and mine for him came from the cosmic fate of two people who saw the best in each other.
I will miss him more than my tongue can handle and my heart can bear. My world is full because I knew him and it is full of sadness now that he is gone.
David, I am forever changed, and your Kale forever. Thank you for everything.”
Actor Nicolas Cage shared with Deadline: “He was brave, smart, and a maverick with a great sense of humor,” Cage continued, “I’ve never been happier on a movie set than working with David Lynch. He will always be solid gold.”
Like Kafka, like Bacon, he devoted his life to opening the portal. He was the first to show me another, beautiful world of love and danger that I felt but had never seen outside sleep. Thank you David your gift will work for the rest of my life.
I @remedygames Alan Wake 2’s internal code name was “Big Fish”. I think David Lynch is swimming with a big fish now. Rest in peace. His influence is far reaching and will live on. pic.twitter.com/cBlAG46TuS
David Lynch said that filmmaking should be fun and exciting. Yes it can be hard work. Of course the job itself can involve all kinds of pain and painful reality. But the act of creating should be filled with joy. I think about that all the time.
RIP David Lynch. You don’t die.
– Kumail Nanjiani (@kumail.bsky.social) January 16, 2025 at 10:40 AM
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