David Lynch is a highly acclaimed American filmmaker, visual artist, and musician. His films are known for their surreal and dreamlike qualities, which have earned him critical recognition.
David Lynch's father, Donald Walton Lynch, was born in 1915.
David Lynch's mother, Edwina "Sunny" Lynch (née Sundberg), was born in 1919.
David Keith Lynch was born on January 20, 1946, in Missoula, Montana.
David Lynch transferred to the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, in 1964, where he was roommates with musician Peter Wolf. However, he left after a year, feeling uninspired.
Frank Herbert's science fiction novel "Dune" was published in 1965. This novel would later become a source material for one of David Lynch's films.
David Lynch married Peggy Reavey, a fellow student at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, in 1967.
Lynch created his first short film, "Six Men Getting Sick (Six Times)," in 1967. This film, featuring animation, was inspired by his desire to see his paintings move.
David Lynch married Peggy Reavey in January 1968. The couple had one child, Jennifer Lynch.
Inspired by a dream his niece had, David Lynch created the short film "The Alphabet" in 1968, experimenting with a blend of animation and live action. The film featured his wife, Peggy.
In 1970, David Lynch moved to Los Angeles with his family and began studying filmmaking at the AFI Conservatory. He found the environment chaotic but stimulating, learning to be self-reliant in his filmmaking process.
On May 29, 1972, David Lynch began filming his first feature film, "Eraserhead," in abandoned stables. The production was a collaborative effort with friends, and Lynch faced financial challenges during the process.
David Lynch's journey with Transcendental Meditation began in July 1973, marking the start of a lifelong practice.
David Lynch began developing ideas for his film "Blue Velvet" as early as 1973. The film, known for its dark themes and surreal imagery, marked a significant point in Lynch's career.
David Lynch and Peggy Reavey filed for divorce in 1974.
During a break in the filming of "Eraserhead" in 1974, Lynch created a short film titled "The Amputee." The film was a technical experiment with different film stocks and showcased Lynch's filmmaking versatility.
David Lynch's first encounter with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, founder of the Transcendental Meditation movement, occurred in 1975 at the Spiritual Regeneration Movement center in Los Angeles.
David Lynch completed his film "Eraserhead" in 1976. The film received mixed reviews, facing rejection from Cannes and the New York Film Festival.
In June 1977, David Lynch married Mary Fisk. The couple had a son, Austin Jack Lynch, in 1982.
This entry references Roman Polanski's 1977 sexual abuse charges, a significant controversy that resurfaced with his arrest in 2009.
In 1977, David Lynch married Mary Fisk, the sister of his frequent collaborator, Jack Fisk. This marked a significant personal event in Lynch's life.
In 1977, "Eraserhead" found an audience on the midnight movie circuit, gaining a cult following and recognition as one of the most important midnight movies of the 1970s.
David Lynch released his first feature-length film, "Eraserhead," in 1977, which gained recognition as a midnight movie.
Lynch received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Director for his work on "The Elephant Man" in 1980.
Austin Jack Lynch, son of David Lynch and Mary Fisk, was born in 1982.
David Lynch started his comic strip, "The Angriest Dog in the World," in 1983. The strip, known for its dark humor and philosophical undertones, ran in various publications.
David Lynch directed and released the film adaptation of "Dune" in 1984.
David Lynch has stated that he voted for Ronald Reagan in the 1984 U.S. presidential election.
In 1984, David Lynch's adaptation of "Dune" was released. The film was a critical and commercial disappointment, with Lynch expressing dissatisfaction over creative compromises.
David Lynch and Mary Fisk separated in 1985.
David Lynch began a relationship with actress Isabella Rossellini in 1986. They lived together until 1991.
Lynch's film "Blue Velvet," released in 1986, earned him another Academy Award nomination for Best Director.
David Lynch and Mary Fisk officially divorced in 1987.
Between 1989 and 1991, David Lynch participated in five one-man art exhibitions, showcasing his talents beyond filmmaking and solidifying his multifaceted artistic persona.
David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti, who collaborated on the "Twin Peaks" score, created "Industrial Symphony No. 1: The Dream of the Broken Hearted" in 1989. The theatrical piece, featuring Laura Dern, Nicolas Cage, and Michael J. Anderson, was performed twice as part of the New Music America Festival.
In 1989, David Lynch directed "The Cowboy and the Frenchman," a short piece for French television.
Lynch produced and co-wrote the lyrics for Julee Cruise's debut album, "Floating into the Night," with music composed by Angelo Badalamenti, released in 1989.
In 1990, David Lynch produced a 50-minute video of "Industrial Symphony No. 1: The Dream of the Broken Hearted."
David Lynch's film "Wild at Heart" won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1990.
David Lynch directed "Wild at Heart," a crime and road movie starring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern, in 1990. Based on Barry Gifford's novel, the film, a blend of genres, won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Co-created by David Lynch and Mark Frost, the television series "Twin Peaks" premiered in 1990, becoming a cultural phenomenon. The show followed the investigation into the murder of Laura Palmer, a popular high school student, in a small Washington town.
1990 marked a turning point in David Lynch's career, characterized by critical acclaim and commercial success. "Wild at Heart" won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, "Twin Peaks" captivated audiences globally, and "Industrial Symphony No. 1" garnered significant attention. Lynch's distinct artistic vision solidified his presence as an influential figure in the entertainment industry.
At the personal request of Michael Jackson, Lynch directed a 30-second teaser trailer for Jackson's 1991 album "Dangerous".
Between 1989 and 1991, David Lynch participated in five one-man art exhibitions, showcasing his talents beyond filmmaking and solidifying his multifaceted artistic persona.
David Lynch and Isabella Rossellini's relationship ended in 1991.
The ABC series "Twin Peaks," created by David Lynch and Mark Frost, premiered in 1991.
Riley Sweeney Lynch, son of David Lynch and Mary Sweeney, was born in 1992.
Lynch co-wrote and directed the prequel film to "Twin Peaks," titled "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me," which was released in 1992.
David Lynch, in collaboration with Mark Frost, created the comedy series "On the Air" in 1992. However, the show was short-lived, with only three episodes airing.
David Lynch's comic strip, "The Angriest Dog in the World," concluded its run in 1992. The strip's unique style and themes left a mark on alternative comics.
David Lynch revisited the world of "Twin Peaks" with the prequel/sequel film "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me," released in 1992. The film, darker in tone than the series, delved into the final days of Laura Palmer's life. Though initially a commercial disappointment, the film has since garnered critical acclaim.
David Lynch collaborated with Japanese musician Yoshiki in 1993, directing the music video for X Japan's song "Longing ~Setsubou no Yoru~." Although never officially released, Lynch expressed admiration for the visuals in his 2018 memoir.
David Lynch, along with Monty Montgomery, created the three-episode HBO miniseries "Hotel Room" in 1993, exploring events that unfold within a single hotel room across different time periods.
Lynch, along with Angelo Badalamenti, produced and wrote lyrics for Julee Cruise's second album, "The Voice of Love," released in 1993.
Lynch designed furniture for his film "Lost Highway" (1997) and in April of the same year, he presented a furniture collection at the Milan Furniture Fair, showcasing his interest in design.
David Lynch released the film "Lost Highway" in 1997.
David Lynch returned to film with "Lost Highway" in 1997. Co-written with Barry Gifford, the non-linear neo-noir thriller starring Bill Pullman and Patricia Arquette received mixed reviews and underperformed commercially.
Lynch contributed to Jocelyn Montgomery's 1998 album, "Lux Vivens (Living Light), The Music of Hildegard von Bingen".
In the 2000 U.S. presidential election, David Lynch endorsed the Natural Law Party, which advocated for Transcendental Meditation.
The company CIBY-2000 financed "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me" which was released in 1992. The film marked David Lynch's return to the world of "Twin Peaks."
On December 10, 2001, David Lynch launched his website, davidlynch.com, using it as a platform to distribute his new series and creative works directly to the audience.
David Lynch released his studio album, "BlueBOB," in 2001.
In 2001, David Lynch released 'Mulholland Drive,' a film completed with $7 million from StudioCanal. Initially a TV pilot, it became a critical success and earned Lynch the Best Director Award at the Cannes Film Festival and a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Director.
Lynch and John Neff released "BlueBob," a rock album showcasing Lynch's distinctive "upside down and backwards" guitar playing style, in 2001.
Lynch's film "Mulholland Drive" earned him his third Academy Award nomination for Best Director in 2001.
David Lynch was honored as a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 2002 by the French government, recognizing his contributions to cinema.
In 2002, David Lynch created several online series, including 'DumbLand' and 'Rabbits,' and released the horror short 'Darkened Room.'
David Lynch deepened his connection with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi during a month-long "Millionaire's Enlightenment Course" in 2003.
David Lynch's mother, Edwina "Sunny" Lynch, passed away in 2004.
In July 2005, David Lynch founded the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and Peace to support Transcendental Meditation education and research.
David Lynch, John Hagelin, and Fred Travis embarked on a college campus tour in September 2005 to promote the benefits of Transcendental Meditation.
In December 2005, David Lynch had spent $400,000 of his own money and raised $1 million in donations to build seven buildings for advanced meditation, aiming to promote world peace.
In 2005, the David Lynch Foundation expanded its reach to include other at-risk groups like the homeless, veterans, and refugees, in addition to funding the teaching of Transcendental Meditation in schools.
David Lynch married Mary Sweeney, his editor and frequent collaborator, in May 2006. They filed for divorce shortly after.
By December 2006, David Lynch continued his goal of establishing buildings for meditation to foster global peace, as reported by The New York Times.
In 2006, David Lynch released 'Inland Empire,' a three-hour feature film that explores a non-traditional narrative structure. To promote it, he made public appearances with a cow and a placard stating 'Without cheese there would be no Inland Empire.'
In 2006, David Lynch published "Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity," a book detailing his creative process, career anecdotes, and the benefits of Transcendental Meditation.
In 2006, David Lynch described his evolving political views, stating a leaning towards libertarianism and expressing dissatisfaction with both Democrats and Republicans.
In 2006, David Lynch launched a personal website featuring his short videos, the absurdist series Dumbland, and a daily weather report from Los Angeles. The website also included the short film 'Rabbits'.
David Lynch authored and published his book, "Catching the Big Fish," in 2006.
David Lynch was honored with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival in 2006.
David Lynch released his film "Inland Empire" in 2006.
From March 3 to May 27, 2007, the Fondation Cartier in Paris hosted a major retrospective of David Lynch's work, titled "The Air is on Fire". The exhibition showcased a diverse range of his work, including paintings, photography, drawings, films, and sound installations.
David Lynch's father, Donald Walton Lynch, passed away in 2007.
In 2007, a panel of critics assembled by The Guardian declared David Lynch as "the most important film-maker of the current era."
In 2007, a panel of critics organized by The Guardian declared David Lynch as the most important filmmaker of the current era, highlighting his significant influence on contemporary cinema.
In 2008, David Lynch attended the Maharishi's funeral in India, honoring the spiritual leader who had influenced millions, and expressed his deep respect during the ceremony.
On April 4, 2009, David Lynch organized the 'Change Begins Within' benefit concert at Radio City Music Hall, featuring prominent artists like Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to support the David Lynch Foundation.
David Lynch married actress Emily Stofle, who appeared in his film "Inland Empire," in 2009.
In 2009, David Lynch produced the documentary web series 'Interview Project' and collaborated with Werner Herzog on the film 'My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?'
In 2009, David Lynch traveled to India to film interviews for a biographical documentary about the Maharishi, capturing insights from those who knew him.
In 2009, David Lynch's Legion of Honour distinction was elevated to Officier, further acknowledging his impact on filmmaking.
In 2009, Lynch released his book-CD set, "Dark Night of the Soul," and established his record label, David Lynch MC, which debuted with "Fox Bat Strategy: A Tribute to Dave Jaurequi" in early 2009.
In 2009, following Roman Polanski's arrest for his 1977 sexual abuse charges, David Lynch signed a petition arguing against the arrest, claiming it undermined the sanctity of film festivals and set a dangerous precedent.
In May 2010, David Lynch released 'Lady Blue Shanghai,' a 16-minute promotional film for Dior, showcasing his signature style and creativity.
In May 2010, the documentary 'David Wants to Fly' was released, chronicling German filmmaker David Sieveking's journey into Transcendental Meditation, inspired by David Lynch, but ending in disillusionment.
Lynch released two electropop singles, "Good Day Today" and "I Know," through Sunday Best Recordings in November 2010.
On March 23, 2011, David Lynch directed a Duran Duran concert at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles, which was streamed live on YouTube as part of the 'Unstaged' series.
In April 2011, David Lynch's animated short 'I Touch a Red Button Man' was featured during Interpol's concert at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The short was later made available online.
Lynch collaborated with Chrysta Bell on the album "This Train," released on September 29, 2011, under the La Rose Noire label.
In October 2011, David Lynch opened Silencio, a private members' nightclub in Paris. Inspired by the club in his film "Mulholland Drive" (2001), Silencio features various rooms with different atmospheres and hosts concerts, films, and performances.
Described as an "electronic blues album," Lynch's album "Crazy Clown Time" was released in November 2011, featuring collaborations with Dean Hurley and Karen O.
David Lynch's studio album, "Crazy Clown Time," was released in 2011.
In 2011, the film 'Beyond The Noise: My Transcendental Meditation Journey,' featuring David Lynch and directed by Dana Farley, was shown at various film festivals, including the Marbella Film Festival.
Since 2011, Lynch has been represented by the Kayne Griffin Corcoran gallery in Los Angeles, showcasing his paintings, drawings, and photography.
In June 2012, David Lynch expressed in an interview that he lacked inspiration for new film projects but remained open to future possibilities if inspiration struck.
In September 2012, David Lynch appeared in a three-part arc on FX's 'Louie,' playing the character Jack Dahl.
In November 2012, while attending Plus Camerimage in Poland, David Lynch hinted at plans for a new film, although details were sparse at the time.
David Lynch stated his intention to vote for Barack Obama in the 2012 U.S. presidential election.
Lula Boginia Lynch, daughter of David Lynch and Emily Stofle, was born in 2012.
In January 2013, actress Laura Dern confirmed in an interview that she and David Lynch were planning a new project together.
In February 2013, David Lynch released 'Idem Paris,' a short documentary film about the lithographic process, available online.
On June 28, 2013, David Lynch directed the music video for Nine Inch Nails' song 'Came Back Haunted,' adding his unique visual style to the band's work.
In August 2013, David Lynch provided photography for the self-titled album by the band Dumb Numbers.
Lynch's third studio album, "The Big Dream," featuring the single "I'm Waiting Here" with Lykke Li, was released in 2013, preceded by a cryptic video titled "TBD716".
Lynch released his studio album, "The Big Dream," in 2013.
In 2013, David Lynch wrote about the positive impacts of Transcendental Meditation, describing it as a means to achieve a peaceful revolution and greater happiness.
Lynch's alma mater, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, held an exhibition of his work titled "The Unified Field". The exhibition ran from September 12, 2014, to January 2015.
On October 6, 2014, David Lynch confirmed via Twitter that he and Mark Frost would start shooting a new nine-episode season of 'Twin Peaks' in 2015, with episodes to air on Showtime in 2016.
For Record Store Day 2014, Lynch released "The Big Dream Remix EP," featuring remixes of songs from "The Big Dream" by various artists, including Bastille, known for their Lynch-inspired work.
On April 5, 2015, David Lynch announced via Twitter that he would no longer direct the 'Twin Peaks' revival due to budget constraints.
On May 15, 2015, David Lynch announced via Twitter that he had resolved his issues with Showtime and would direct every episode of the 'Twin Peaks' revival, which was extended to 18 episodes.
By April 2016, filming for the 'Twin Peaks' revival was completed, setting the stage for its premiere in 2017.
In 2016, David Lynch's 'Mulholland Drive' was named the best film of the 21st century in a BBC poll of 177 film critics from 36 countries.
In the 2016 U.S. presidential election, David Lynch endorsed Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primaries and Gary Johnson in the general election.
On May 21, 2017, the two-episode premiere of the 'Twin Peaks' revival aired on Showtime, marking the return of the iconic series.
David Lynch co-wrote and directed the limited series "Twin Peaks: The Return," which continued the story of the original series and was released in 2017.
The MacDowell Colony recognized David Lynch's significant contributions to American culture by awarding him The Edward MacDowell Medal in 2017.
Co-written with Kristine McKenna, David Lynch published "Room to Dream" in June 2018, a hybrid biography-memoir that delves into his life and career.
In June 2018, David Lynch commented on Donald Trump's presidency, stating his belief that Trump's disruptive nature might pave the way for positive change. His comments were later misconstrued as an endorsement by Trump himself, leading Lynch to clarify his position and criticize Trump's divisive actions.
Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti's collaborative album, "Thought Gang," recorded around 1993 but previously unreleased, was released on vinyl and CD on November 2, 2018.
David Lynch's memoir, "Room to Dream," was published in 2018. In it, he mentions the music video he directed for X Japan's "Longing ~Setsubou no Yoru~" in 1993, praising its visual elements.
David Lynch's book, "Room to Dream," was published in 2018.
The music video for "Fire is Coming," a collaboration between Lynch and Flying Lotus, was released on April 17, 2019.
Lynch lent his vocals and co-writing skills to "Fire is Coming," a track featured on Flying Lotus' album "Flamagra," released in May 2019.
David Lynch received an Honorary Academy Award in 2019, recognizing his significant contributions to filmmaking.
In a 2019 interview with Alexander de Cadenet, David Lynch discussed the benefits of Transcendental Meditation, particularly its ability to utilize the full brain and achieve higher states of consciousness.
David Lynch rereleased his 2002 web series "Rabbits" on YouTube in June 2020.
On July 17, 2020, David Lynch's merchandise store released a line of face masks featuring his art in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In May 2021, Lynch produced and directed the music video for Scottish artist Donovan's song "I Am the Shaman," released to coincide with Donovan's 75th birthday on May 10.
Reports surfaced in 2021 that David Lynch was developing a new project, potentially for Netflix, with the working titles "Wisteria" and "Unrecorded Night".
In 2021, David Lynch did not deny the possibility of a fourth season of 'Twin Peaks,' though he mentioned it would not air before 2021.
In February 2022, it was revealed that Lynch had been cast in Steven Spielberg's film "The Fabelmans" as director John Ford.
In April 2022, David Lynch announced a $500 million initiative to fund Transcendental Meditation for 30,000 college students, aiming to promote world peace.
On December 16, 2022, David Lynch delivered his final weather report, ending the series and mentioning he would no longer continue the reports to get more sleep in the mornings.
A comparison was made between the cost of film equipment in 1967 and its equivalent in 2023 to illustrate the difference in expenses.
Emily Stofle filed for divorce from David Lynch in 2023.
To illustrate the difference in housing costs, the price of the house Lynch purchased in 1967 was compared to its equivalent value in 2023.
In August 2024, David Lynch revealed in an interview that he was suffering from emphysema due to years of smoking, which had made him housebound and likely unable to pursue further directorial projects.
Citing emphysema, Lynch announced in 2024 that he could no longer direct in person. He mentioned his unrealized Netflix project and expressed his desire to see his 2010 screenplay "Antelope Don't Run No More" adapted into a film. He clarified that he was not retiring but would continue working on other projects as his health allowed.
Due to his emphysema diagnosis, David Lynch announced in 2024 that he could no longer direct in person. However, he clarified that he would continue working on other projects and is not retiring.