# R.I.P. David Lynch **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death\ **Created:** [January 16, 2025, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049 "2025-01-16T18:41:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/1 "2025-01-16T18:41:32Z")
[Passed away at the age of 78](https://variety.com/2025/film/news/david-lynch-dead-director-blue-velvet-twin-peaks-1236276106/). He was one of my favorite directors for sure. _Twin Peaks_ was absolutely iconic to me when I was in high school. There was no other mind like his in Hollywood. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/2 "2025-01-16T18:47:02Z")
God DAMN. Such an entertaining guy…so smart, so within himself. We watch “What Did Jack Do” every Christmas because it so perfectly captures him. RIP man. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/3 "2025-01-16T18:58:25Z")
Well dammit. I missed the announcement last year that he had emphysema so this is a surprise for sure. Odd that 78 seems youngish to die these days. His work was always interesting and entertaining to say the least. Everything he did had a very definite originality and point of view. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/4 "2025-01-16T19:03:55Z")
I liked his adaptation of _Dune._ There. I said it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/5 "2025-01-16T19:07:19Z")
I liked it too. I especially liked [_On The Air_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Air_(TV_series)) (1992). ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/6 "2025-01-16T19:10:19Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I especially liked [_On The Air_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Air_(TV_series)) (1992). That show was such a blast. I understand why only about eight people got it, but there’s some brilliant comedy in there. He was also the best thing in _The Fabelmans_. His portrayal of John Ford was amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/7 "2025-01-16T19:10:20Z")
Blue Velvet was one of my ex-husband’s favorite films. He loved it so well, he went for Halloween one year as Dean Stockwell’s character. I wasn’t as big a fan, though I found Twin Peaks engaging for a long while and very original. Lynch wasn’t afraid to challenge norms. His voice will be missed. RIP. ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/8 "2025-01-16T19:12:30Z")
Bummer. _Lost Highway_ bubbles up to the top of my Lynch favorites, but I like 'em all. Undeniably a unique vision. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/9 "2025-01-16T19:13:05Z")
Sad to see this, but not completely unexpected. I love his movies, even as disturbing as some of them can be, and super loved Twin Peaks. But I also enjoyed getting little glimpses into his life through his Youtube output, particularly during the pandemic. I loved his “what is David working on” clips of his projects in his art studio behind his LA home…he built a urinal into the sink! He was a very unique and creative guy, but also seemed to be a very kind individual. > [@Odesio](#): > > I liked his adaptation of _Dune._ There. I said it. It takes me back to a simpler time in my life and yes, I greatly enjoyed it back then and when I rewatch I remember those times. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/10 "2025-01-16T19:13:46Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I liked his adaptation of _Dune._ There. I said it His version was great. Villeneuve’s films I felt like I spent 5 hours staring at sand. ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/11 "2025-01-16T19:16:50Z")
There’s few directors with such a unique style that they become famous for it (Wes Anderson comes to mind for example). No one could do a Lynch movie, but Lynch. One of a kind. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/12 "2025-01-16T19:18:06Z")
I saw _Eraserhead_ shortly after it came out, mostly because I was curious to know why it had created such a stir. I didn’t expect to care for it, based on the criticisms I’d heard. I was in for a huge surprise. I absolutely LOVED _Eraserhead_. Most people said it was too weird, incoherent, and off-putting, yet it made perfect sense to me. _Blue Velvet_ was another favorite. There is a point in the movie, after we have been treated to the terrifying ravings of Dennis Hopper (“mommy, mommy…” - eeeeeekkkk! 😱 😱 😱) when suddenly we are cut to a placid, stereotypical suburban scene. Inanity never looked so good. I used _Blue Velvet_ to get back at someone once. We had a houseguest back in the days where you went out and rented movies on videotape, and he offered to go get one. “I’m tired and don’t feel like thinking much,” I said. “So bring back something light, maybe a romcom.” Said guest came back with _Das Boot,_ which he had seen but which I was unfamiliar with so its depressing story was quite a shock. I was furious! A few days later, we decided to watch another movie, so I offered to go get one. “I’m tired and don’t feel like thinking much,” he said. “So bring back something light, maybe a romcom.” I brought back _Blue Velvet,_ which our guest was unfamiliar with. Ah, sweet revenge. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/13 "2025-01-16T19:19:42Z")
I never saw Twin Peaks. I haven’t seen most of his films. I have long wanted to see them though. i have seen Dune many times. While I do not entirely agree with his aristic vision of Dune, it is very clear he was a genuine artist and had a vision. I never understood why he voiced himself as the bartender in The Cleveland Show though. ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/14 "2025-01-16T19:31:25Z")
> [@orcenio](#): > > There’s few directors with such a unique style that they become famous for it (Wes Anderson comes to mind for example). No one could do a Lynch movie, but Lynch. One of a kind. He definitely earned his “-esque.” I recently managed to find a copy of _The Straight Story_ on BluRay, may have to watch that this weekend. Or _Lost Highway_, which I remember seeing opening weekend at the Sunset 5 when I lived in Hollywood. Takes me back, you can see my old office building in the background of one scene (it was down the street from Pryor’s garage). A million years ago I worked on a low-budget movie that had Sherilyn Fenn in the cast. That was only a few years after _Twin Peaks_ had been on the air, and huge fan that I was, my mind was blown every day she was on set (“Audrey Horne! Audrey Horne! Audrey freaking Horne!”) She was a genuine sweetheart, too. Lynch had a talent beyond the dreamlike visuals, he also created original and indelible characters. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/15 "2025-01-16T19:31:32Z")
I drove through a snowstorm to see _Eraserhead_ at a nearby college. I’d read about it in _Coinefantastique_ and had to see it. Weird film. Can’t say I loved it, but it was worth seeing. I liked _The Elephant Man_, although it was very different from Bernard Pomerance’s play about Joseph Merrick, and took more liberties with the true story. And I’m another one who liked his version of _Dune_. He disowned the TV broadcast version (it carried the credit “Directed by Allen Smithee”, which was used when a director didn’t want to put his name on something), but that version contained several good scenes cut from the theatrical release version, and it was put together by someone who knew and loved the source material, not a hack. And, of course, I liked _Twin Peaks_ quite a bit – at least the early episodes. It seemed to lose gas and peter out as it went along. Heck, I hadn’t even heard he was sick. ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/16 "2025-01-16T19:33:19Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Heck, I hadn’t even heard he was sick. He had emphysema, no doubt due to a lifetime of smoking. Last year, I think, he admitted that his lungs were in rough shape, and in a post-Covid era, he couldn’t risk his health by being on a crowded movie set for a long period of time any more, so he didn’t forsee making any more features. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/17 "2025-01-16T19:38:19Z")
i understand he started smoking at 7. 7! starting at that age, stopping would be extremely difficult. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/18 "2025-01-16T19:45:17Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > I never understood why he voiced himself as the bartender in The Cleveland Show though. His guest appearance on _Louie_ was certainly memorable: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/HlEJbs02wAM/hqdefault.jpg "Louis C.K - not that kind of funny") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlEJbs02wAM) ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/19 "2025-01-16T20:22:23Z")
RIP to both an icon and iconoclast. I was surprised to see him in the recent Beatles '64 documentary. Turns out he attended their first concert in the US at the Washington Coliseum. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049/20 "2025-01-16T20:24:36Z")
When I was 12, Eraserhead was widely open enough that it was at a nearby theater. One of my brothers frriends said - “It’s got a four star review! [Newsday] It has to be good!” To me it was incrredible. Dunno about brother and friends yet maybe getting drunk before that film isn’t a great idea. > “Hwineken?! Fuck that shit. Pabst, Blue. Ribbon!” Probably the movie he’ll be remembered for, at least in obit first lines. (ETA: Perhaps Dune as well which I liked having no clue of the source material and now that I do, I still like it) I was in Australia for all of season two of Twin Peaks yet my father recorded every episode and there was no chance of getting spoiled. Fire Walk With Me I saw at perhaps the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan. After Mulholland Drive the first time, the second time and third and on I understood how a film could be perceived and understood from so many angles. To me and I’m sure many others that it a favourite film. I mean for any director. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-david-lynch/1013049.md?page=2)