David Lynch

David Lynch

Directing
Born 1946-01-20 - Died 2025-01-16Missoula, Montana, USA

Biography

David Keith Lynch (January 20, 1946 – January 16, 2025) was an American filmmaker, visual artist, musician, and actor. Lynch received critical acclaim for his films, which are often distinguished by their surrealist, dreamlike qualities. In his 58-year career, he was awarded numerous accolades, including the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in 2006 and an Honorary Academy Award in 2019. In 2007, a panel of critics convened by The Guardian announced that "after all the discussion, no one could fault the conclusion that David Lynch is the most important filmmaker of the current era." Lynch studied painting before he began making short films in the late 1960s. His first feature-length film was the independent surrealist film Eraserhead (1977), which saw success as a midnight movie. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director for the biographical drama The Elephant Man (1980) and the mystery films Blue Velvet (1986) and Mulholland Drive (2001). His romantic crime drama Wild at Heart (1990) won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. He also directed the space opera adaptation Dune (1984), the surrealist neo-noir Lost Highway (1997), the biographical drama The Straight Story (1999), and the experimental film Inland Empire (2006). Lynch and Mark Frost created the ABC series Twin Peaks (1990–91), for which Lynch was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. Lynch co-wrote and directed its film prequel, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992), and its limited series revival (2017). He has also worked as an actor, including his portrayals of FBI agent Gordon Cole in Twin Peaks and director John Ford in Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans (2022), as well as guest roles in TV series such as The Cleveland Show (2010–13), Louie (2012), and Robot Chicken (2020, 2022). Lynch's other artistic endeavours included his work as a musician, encompassing the studio albums BlueBOB (2001), Crazy Clown Time (2011), and The Big Dream (2013), as well as painting and photography. He has written the books Images (1994), Catching the Big Fish (2006), and Room to Dream (2018). He has directed several music videos for artists such as Chris Isaak, X Japan, Moby, Interpol, Nine Inch Nails, and Donovan, and commercials for Calvin Klein, Dior, L'Oreal, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, and the New York City Department of Sanitation. A practitioner of Transcendental Meditation (TM), he founded the David Lynch Foundation, which seeks to fund the teaching of TM in schools and has since widened its scope to other at-risk populations, including the homeless, veterans, and refugees.

Movies (130)

Dune
6.2

Dune

1984Movie6.2
The Fabelmans
7.6

The Fabelmans

2022Movie7.6
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
7.4

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me

1992Movie7.4
The Elephant Man
8.1

The Elephant Man

1980Movie8.1
Inland Empire
7.0

Inland Empire

2006Movie7.0
Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound
6.9

Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound

2019Movie6.9
Heart of the Festival
6.7

Heart of the Festival

2002Movie6.7
Lumière & Company
6.3

Lumière & Company

1995Movie6.3
Beatles '64
6.5

Beatles '64

2024Movie6.5
Why Are We Creative?
7.5

Why Are We Creative?

2018Movie7.5
Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces
7.2

Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces

2014Movie7.2
Morceaux de Cannes
2.0

Morceaux de Cannes

2021Movie2.0
Mysteries of Love
7.1

Mysteries of Love

2002Movie7.1
David Lynch: The Art Life
7.0

David Lynch: The Art Life

2017Movie7.0
Hollywood Mavericks
7.3

Hollywood Mavericks

1990Movie7.3
Side by Side
7.3

Side by Side

2012Movie7.3
Nadja
5.7

Nadja

1995Movie5.7
Lucky
7.3

Lucky

2017Movie7.3
Lynch 2
6.0

Lynch 2

2007Movie6.0
Heart Beat
5.6

Heart Beat

1980Movie5.6
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
8.1

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise

2013Movie8.1
Girlfriend's Day
5.0

Girlfriend's Day

2017Movie5.0
Bad Binoculars
8.0

Bad Binoculars

2017Movie8.0
Zelly & Me
5.8

Zelly & Me

1988Movie5.8
The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld
4.0

The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld

2025Movie4.0
Lynch (one)
5.9

Lynch (one)

2007Movie5.9
WHAT DID JACK DO?
6.3

WHAT DID JACK DO?

2017Movie6.3
Made in the USA
2.0

Made in the USA

1993Movie2.0
Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night
7.7

Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night

1988Movie7.7
Elvis | Viva Las Vegas
7.3

Elvis | Viva Las Vegas

2008Movie7.3
La Traversée du désir
5.7

La Traversée du désir

2009Movie5.7
Love, Death, Elvis & Oz: The Making of Wild at Heart

Love, Death, Elvis & Oz: The Making of Wild at Heart

2004Movie
A Bloody Finger in Your Mouth
6.0

A Bloody Finger in Your Mouth

2017Movie6.0
I Know Catherine, the Log Lady

I Know Catherine, the Log Lady

2026Movie
The Amputee
5.1

The Amputee

1974Movie5.1
Critic
7.9

Critic

2008Movie7.9
Destination Dune
6.5

Destination Dune

1983Movie6.5
Tell It Martin
5.0

Tell It Martin

2017Movie5.0
The Reality of Truth
4.3

The Reality of Truth

2016Movie4.3
Welcome Home: Mary Reber and the Twin Peaks Palmer House

Welcome Home: Mary Reber and the Twin Peaks Palmer House

2021Movie
The Black Ghiandola
6.5

The Black Ghiandola

2017Movie6.5
Great Directors
6.1

Great Directors

2009Movie6.1
Do Not Pick Up Hitchhikers
5.0

Do Not Pick Up Hitchhikers

2017Movie5.0
The Making of ‘Mulholland Drive’
6.7

The Making of ‘Mulholland Drive’

2004Movie6.7
Twin Peaks: The Phenomenon
8.0

Twin Peaks: The Phenomenon

2017Movie8.0
Ringo Starr: A Lifetime of Peace and Love
6.0

Ringo Starr: A Lifetime of Peace and Love

2014Movie6.0
Plankton Salesmen

Plankton Salesmen

2017Movie
Night Flight: Born Again

Night Flight: Born Again

2016Movie
A Very Lovely Dream: One Week in Twin Peaks
7.0

A Very Lovely Dream: One Week in Twin Peaks

2017Movie7.0
Professor Goudet's Lessons

Professor Goudet's Lessons

2013Movie
Blue Velvet Revisited
6.9

Blue Velvet Revisited

2016Movie6.9
Jonathan Ross Presents for One Week Only: David Lynch
7.5

Jonathan Ross Presents for One Week Only: David Lynch

1990Movie7.5
Dennis Hopper: The Decisive Moments
8.3

Dennis Hopper: The Decisive Moments

2004Movie8.3
The A-Z of Separating People from their Money

The A-Z of Separating People from their Money

1998Movie
It's a Beautiful World
5.4

It's a Beautiful World

2014Movie5.4
The 8th Floor
6.0

The 8th Floor

2014Movie6.0
Lynch/Oz
6.9

Lynch/Oz

2023Movie6.9
Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream
6.3

Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream

2006Movie6.3
Between Two Worlds
7.2

Between Two Worlds

2014Movie7.2
David Lynch in Oslo

David Lynch in Oslo

2010Movie
Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch
7.2

Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch

1997Movie7.2
The Fine Art of Separating People from Their Money
5.5

The Fine Art of Separating People from Their Money

1996Movie5.5
2012: Time for Change
6.3

2012: Time for Change

2010Movie6.3
Meeting the Beatles in India
6.5

Meeting the Beatles in India

2020Movie6.5
What Is Cinema?
6.4

What Is Cinema?

2013Movie6.4
Eraserhead Stories
7.3

Eraserhead Stories

2001Movie7.3
Brunes et Blondes

Brunes et Blondes

2010Movie
Crazy About the Movies: Dennis Hopper

Crazy About the Movies: Dennis Hopper

1991Movie
Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction
6.9

Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction

2013Movie6.9
The Number of Completion
5.5

The Number of Completion

2017Movie5.5
Along for the Ride
7.0

Along for the Ride

2016Movie7.0
The Man with the Gray Elevated Hair
7.1

The Man with the Gray Elevated Hair

2017Movie7.1
Moby Doc
6.2

Moby Doc

2021Movie6.2
David Lynch: Insight

David Lynch: Insight

2017Movie
Dino De Laurentiis: The Last Movie Mogul
6.3

Dino De Laurentiis: The Last Movie Mogul

2001Movie6.3
Rammstein in Amerika
8.0

Rammstein in Amerika

2015Movie8.0
Shadows of Paradise
4.5

Shadows of Paradise

2016Movie4.5
No Frank in Lumberton
8.2

No Frank in Lumberton

1988Movie8.2
Brand: A Second Coming
6.0

Brand: A Second Coming

2015Movie6.0
The Short Films of David Lynch
5.6

The Short Films of David Lynch

2002Movie5.6
David Lynch: A Remembrance Both Wonderful and Strange

David Lynch: A Remembrance Both Wonderful and Strange

2025Movie
In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story
6.2

In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story

1999Movie6.2
On Meditation
7.0

On Meditation

2016Movie7.0
I Don't Know Jack
7.9

I Don't Know Jack

2002Movie7.9
My Beautiful Broken Brain
7.1

My Beautiful Broken Brain

2014Movie7.1
Two Blue Balls

Two Blue Balls

2017Movie
Dynamic:01: The Best of DavidLynch.com
5.5

Dynamic:01: The Best of DavidLynch.com

2007Movie5.5
Out Yonder — Chicken
5.6

Out Yonder — Chicken

2007Movie5.6
Early Experiments
6.4

Early Experiments

2008Movie6.4
Behind the Red Curtain
6.2

Behind the Red Curtain

2017Movie6.2
The Polish Accountant
6.0

The Polish Accountant

2017Movie6.0
David Wants to Fly
7.0

David Wants to Fly

2010Movie7.0
The Music of David Lynch
8.8

The Music of David Lynch

2016Movie8.8
Don Van Vliet: Some YoYo Stuff
7.2

Don Van Vliet: Some YoYo Stuff

1994Movie7.2
See You on the Other Side Dear Friend

See You on the Other Side Dear Friend

2017Movie
I Had Bad Milk in Dehradun
6.6

I Had Bad Milk in Dehradun

2017Movie6.6
The Soul Detective

The Soul Detective

2009Movie
A Slice of Lynch
6.9

A Slice of Lynch

2007Movie6.9
David Lynch Teaches Creativity and Film

David Lynch Teaches Creativity and Film

2019Movie
Rocksteppy
8.3

Rocksteppy

2017Movie8.3
Hollyshorts Greeting
6.9

Hollyshorts Greeting

2008Movie6.9
Out Yonder — Neighbor Boy
6.2

Out Yonder — Neighbor Boy

2002Movie6.2
The Sleeper Must Awaken: Making Dune
4.0

The Sleeper Must Awaken: Making Dune

2021Movie4.0
Return to Mulholland Drive
8.0

Return to Mulholland Drive

2003Movie8.0
Red Fish
7.7

Red Fish

2009Movie7.7
The Sound of Lynch
6.0

The Sound of Lynch

2007Movie6.0
This Is Sparklehorse

This Is Sparklehorse

2022Movie
BlueBob Egg
3.0

BlueBob Egg

2002Movie3.0
Memory Film
5.4

Memory Film

2012Movie5.4
Dennis Hopper: Create (or Die)
6.7

Dennis Hopper: Create (or Die)

2003Movie6.7
Curtains Up

Curtains Up

2018Movie
Meditation, Creativity, Peace
5.8

Meditation, Creativity, Peace

2012Movie5.8
A Pot of Boiling Oil
6.0

A Pot of Boiling Oil

2017Movie6.0
The Original Image - David Lynch
7.7

The Original Image - David Lynch

2019Movie7.7
David Lynch: 1985

David Lynch: 1985

2005Movie
David Lynch: Don't Look at Me
9.3

David Lynch: Don't Look at Me

1989Movie9.3
Out Yonder — Teeth
6.0

Out Yonder — Teeth

2003Movie6.0
The Way of Samodelkin

The Way of Samodelkin

2009Movie
Ångesthunden och Malmö under vatten

Ångesthunden och Malmö under vatten

2011Movie
Boat
5.4

Boat

2003Movie5.4
Twin Peaks Festival Greeting 2008
6.0

Twin Peaks Festival Greeting 2008

2008Movie6.0
Sailing with Bushnell Keeler
5.6

Sailing with Bushnell Keeler

1967Movie5.6
Donovan: The Donovan Concert - Live in L.A.

Donovan: The Donovan Concert - Live in L.A.

2007Movie
Does That Hurt You?
7.7

Does That Hurt You?

2003Movie7.7
What Would David Lynch Do?

What Would David Lynch Do?

2026Movie
David Lynch: The Virtual Life

David Lynch: The Virtual Life

2020Movie
The Disc of Sorrow Is Installed
6.1

The Disc of Sorrow Is Installed

2002Movie6.1
Lamp
5.1

Lamp

2003Movie5.1
When Lynch Met Lucas
5.4

When Lynch Met Lucas

2010Movie5.4
Ruth, Roses, and Revolver

Ruth, Roses, and Revolver

1987Movie

TV Shows (18)

Family Guy
7.4

Family Guy

1999Series7.4
Robot Chicken
7.6

Robot Chicken

2005Series7.6
Twin Peaks
8.3

Twin Peaks

1990Series8.3
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
5.4

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

1992Series5.4
The Cleveland Show
5.9

The Cleveland Show

2009Series5.9
Film '72
5.1

Film '72

1971Series5.1
The Oscars
7.0

The Oscars

1953Series7.0
Louie
7.8

Louie

2010Series7.8
Legends
5.0

Legends

2006Series5.0
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
7.8

Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!

2026Series7.8
Leçon de Cinéma
7.0

Leçon de Cinéma

2004Series7.0
The Nineties
6.9

The Nineties

2017Series6.9
Scene by Scene
6.0

Scene by Scene

1997Series6.0
DumbLand
6.3

DumbLand

2001Series6.3
This Is Pop
5.9

This Is Pop

2021Series5.9
Un film et son époque
10.0

Un film et son époque

2003Series10.0
Independent Focus
8.3

Independent Focus

1998Series8.3
Cinéma, de notre temps
4.7

Cinéma, de notre temps

1989Series4.7