History of David Lynch in Timeline
David Lynch is a highly influential and acclaimed American filmmaker, visual artist, musician, and actor known for his surrealist and experimental style. His career, spanning over five decades, has earned him numerous awards, including a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement and an Academy Honorary Award. Lynch is widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers in cinema history, distinguished by his unique artistic vision.
1943: Influence of 'Meshes of the Afternoon'
In 1943, Maya Deren's experimental film 'Meshes of the Afternoon' influenced David Lynch.
January 20, 1946: David Lynch's Birth
On January 20, 1946, David Keith Lynch was born in Missoula, Montana. This marked the beginning of the life of the filmmaker, visual artist, musician, and actor.
1950: Admiration for 'Sunset Boulevard'
David Lynch cited Billy Wilder's 'Sunset Boulevard' (1950) as one of his favorite films.
1953: Admiration for 'Monsieur Hulot's Holiday'
In 1953, Jacques Tati's 'Monsieur Hulot's Holiday' influenced Lynch's work.
1954: Admiration for 'Rear Window'
In 1954, Alfred Hitchcock's 'Rear Window' was one of David Lynch's favorite films.
1962: Admiration for 'Lolita' and 'Carnival of Souls'
In 1962, Stanley Kubrick's 'Lolita' and Herk Harvey's 'Carnival of Souls' influenced Lynch's work.
1963: Admiration for Fellini's 8½
In 1963, David Lynch expressed admiration for Federico Fellini's film 8½.
1963: News of JFK Assassination
In 1963, David Lynch, then in school, was the first to hear about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy because he was working on a display case.
1965: Frank Herbert's science fiction novel Dune published
In 1965, Frank Herbert's science fiction novel Dune was published. This book later became the basis for a film adaptation directed by David Lynch.
1967: Creation of Six Men Getting Sick (Six Times)
In 1967, David Lynch created his first short film, Six Men Getting Sick (Six Times) at the Pennsylvania Academy. He purchased the cheapest 16mm camera he could find for the project.
1967: Marriage to Peggy Reavey
In 1967, David Lynch married Peggy Reavey, a fellow student, marking a significant life event.
January 1968: Marriage to Peggy Reavey
In January 1968, David Lynch married Peggy Reavey, and they had a child together, Jennifer Lynch.
1968: Beatles' Visit to India
David Lynch discussed the Beatles' visit to India in 1968 and their practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM) during his speech at Meditate America in September 2024.
1968: Production of The Alphabet
In 1968, David Lynch produced the four-minute short film The Alphabet, featuring his wife Peggy. He used a broken Uher tape recorder to create a distorted sound effect for the film.
1970: Enrollment at AFI Conservatory
In 1970, David Lynch moved to Los Angeles and began studying filmmaking at the AFI Conservatory, marking a shift in his career focus.
1970: Influence of 'Deep End'
In 1970, Jerzy Skolimowski's 'Deep End' influenced David Lynch's work.
May 29, 1972: Filming of Eraserhead Begins
On May 29, 1972, David Lynch began filming Eraserhead at night in some abandoned stables with a team including Sissy Spacek, Jack Fisk, Frederick Elmes, and Alan Splet.
July 1973: Initiation into Transcendental Meditation
In July 1973, David Lynch was initiated into Transcendental Meditation, which he practiced consistently afterwards.
1973: Ideas for Blue Velvet begin
In 1973, David Lynch began developing the ideas that would eventually become the film Blue Velvet. These early concepts laid the groundwork for the story set in Lumberton, North Carolina.
1973: Start of Transcendental Meditation Practice
In 1973, David Lynch began practicing Transcendental Meditation after his sister suggested it. He has practiced it twice a day ever since.
1974: Divorce from Peggy Reavey
In 1974, David Lynch and Peggy Reavey divorced.
1974: Production of The Amputee
In 1974, during a break in the filming of Eraserhead, David Lynch made The Amputee, a two-minute, one-shot film. This was proposed to AFI to test two different film stocks.
1975: First Meeting with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
In 1975, David Lynch met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for the first time at the Spiritual Regeneration Movement center in Los Angeles.
1976: Completion of Eraserhead
In 1976, David Lynch finished his film Eraserhead, a story about Henry living in a dystopian industrial wasteland.
June 1977: Marriage to Mary Fisk
In June 1977, David Lynch married Mary Fisk.
1977: Distribution of Eraserhead
In 1977, Ben Barenholtz helped distribute David Lynch's Eraserhead around the United States. It then became popular on the midnight movie underground circuit.
1977: Marriage to Mary Fisk
In 1977, David Lynch married Mary Fisk, the sister of Jack Fisk.
1977: Roman Polanski's Arrest
In 1977, Roman Polanski was arrested for alleged sexual abuse, which later led to a petition of support signed by David Lynch in 2009.
1977: Admiration for 'Stroszek'
In 1977, Werner Herzog's 'Stroszek' was one of David Lynch's favorite films.
1980: Critical Acclaim for The Elephant Man
In 1980, David Lynch earned critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Director for his biographical drama The Elephant Man, showcasing his growing recognition in the film industry.
1982: Birth of Austin Jack Lynch
In 1982, David Lynch and Mary Fisk had a child, Austin Jack Lynch.
1984: Direction of Dune
In 1984, David Lynch directed the space opera Dune, which showcased his versatility in tackling different genres.
1984: Vote for Ronald Reagan
In 1984, David Lynch voted for Ronald Reagan in the presidential election.
1985: Separation from Mary Fisk
In 1985, David Lynch and Mary Fisk separated.
1986: Relationship with Isabella Rossellini
In 1986, David Lynch began a relationship with actress Isabella Rossellini, living together until 1991.
1986: Release of Blue Velvet
In 1986, David Lynch released Blue Velvet, a neo-noir mystery art film that garnered critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Director, further solidifying his reputation as a visionary filmmaker.
1987: Divorce from Mary Fisk
In 1987, David Lynch and Mary Fisk divorced.
1989: Fine art exhibitions begin
In 1989 David Lynch emphasized his roots in fine art and painting.
1990: Lynch's annus mirabilis
1990 was a significant year for David Lynch. Wild at Heart won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, and Twin Peaks became a global hit. He had staged Industrial Symphony No. 1 which spawned the album Floating into the Night and launched singer Julee Cruise.
1990: Creation of Twin Peaks
In 1990, David Lynch and Mark Frost created the ABC surrealist horror-mystery series Twin Peaks, marking a significant venture into television.
1990: Palme d'Or for Wild at Heart
In 1990, David Lynch received the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for his romantic crime drama Wild at Heart, a high point in his directorial career.
1990: Wild at Heart wins Palme d'Or at Cannes
In 1990, David Lynch's film Wild at Heart won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, despite a mixed reception from American critics and viewers. The film, starring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern, is a crime and road movie.
1990: Twin Peaks Premieres
In 1990, Twin Peaks, created by David Lynch and Mark Frost, premiered. The show mixed a police investigation with the ordinary lives of the characters in a small Washington town, quickly hooking viewers with its unique style.
1991: Fine art exhibitions end
In 1991 David Lynch ended his fine art and painting exhibitions.
1991: End of Relationship with Isabella Rossellini
In 1991, David Lynch's relationship with actress Isabella Rossellini ended.
1992: On the Air series created
In 1992, David Lynch and Mark Frost created the comedy series On the Air, which was canceled after only three episodes were aired.
1992: Birth of Riley Sweeney Lynch
In 1992, David Lynch and his editor, Mary Sweeney, had a son, Riley Sweeney Lynch.
1992: Direction of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
In 1992, David Lynch co-wrote and directed the film prequel to Twin Peaks, titled Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, expanding the Twin Peaks universe.
1992: Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me released
In 1992, David Lynch released Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, a film that served as both a prequel and a sequel to the Twin Peaks TV series. The film focused on the last days of Laura Palmer's life and had a darker tone than the series.
1993: Collaboration on X Japan's song
In 1993, David Lynch collaborated with Japanese musician Yoshiki on the video for X Japan's song "Longing ~Setsubou no Yoru~".
1997: Release of Lost Highway
In 1997, David Lynch directed the neo-noir horror film Lost Highway, adding another unique work to his filmography.
1999: ABC approves Mulholland Drive pilot
In 1999, ABC approved David Lynch's Mulholland Drive pilot. Disputes over content led to the project being shelved, but later completed as a film.
1999: Direction of The Straight Story
In 1999, David Lynch directed The Straight Story, a road movie, demonstrating his ability to work across various film genres.
2000: Financing of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
In 2000, the company CIBY-2000 financed Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me. Most of the cast reprised their roles.
2000: Endorsement of the Natural Law Party
In the 2000 presidential election, David Lynch endorsed the Natural Law Party, known for advocating Transcendental Meditation.
December 10, 2001: davidlynch.com goes online
On December 10, 2001, David Lynch launched his official website, davidlynch.com, to distribute his creations.
2001: Release of Mulholland Drive
In 2001, David Lynch released Mulholland Drive, a neo-noir mystery art film that earned him critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Director, solidifying his signature style.
2001: Lynch wins Best Director at Cannes
In 2001, David Lynch won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival for Mulholland Drive (shared with Joel Coen). He also won Best Director from the New York Film Critics Association.
2002: Release of DumbLand
In 2002, David Lynch released DumbLand, a series of intentionally crude online shorts, and Rabbits, a surreal sitcom about a family of humanoid rabbits.
2003: "Millionaire's Enlightenment Course"
In 2003, David Lynch became close with the Maharishi during a month-long "Millionaire's Enlightenment Course", which cost $1 million.
July 2005: Launch of the David Lynch Foundation
In July 2005, David Lynch launched the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and Peace to fund scholarships for students interested in Transcendental Meditation and research on its effects.
September 2005: College Campus Tour to Promote Transcendental Meditation
In September 2005, David Lynch began a tour with John Hagelin and Fred Travis on college campuses to promote Transcendental Meditation.
December 2005: Investment in Peace Project
As of December 2005, David Lynch had spent $400,000 of his own money and raised $1 million in donations towards building seven buildings for advanced meditation practices.
May 2006: Marriage to Mary Sweeney
In May 2006, David Lynch married Mary Sweeney, who was also his producer.
December 2006: Report on Continued Peace Project Goal
In December 2006, The New York Times reported that David Lynch continued to pursue his goal of establishing buildings for advanced meditation practices.
2006: Lynch Describes His Political Philosophy
In 2006, David Lynch described his political philosophy, stating he once considered himself a libertarian but had become a Democrat due to smoking regulations.
2006: Release of Inland Empire
In 2006, David Lynch directed the experimental psychological thriller Inland Empire, further exploring his unique cinematic style.
2006: Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement
In 2006, David Lynch received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival, marking a significant recognition of his contributions to cinema.
2006: Publication of 'Catching the Big Fish'
In 2006, David Lynch wrote 'Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity', a book about his creative process, career stories, and the benefits of Transcendental Meditation. He explains the metaphor behind the title in the introduction.
2007: Recognition as an Important Filmmaker
In 2007, The Guardian declared David Lynch the most important filmmaker of the current era.
2008: Attendance at Maharishi's Funeral
In 2008, David Lynch attended the Maharishi's funeral in India.
April 4, 2009: "Change Begins Within" Concert
On April 4, 2009, David Lynch organized the "Change Begins Within" benefit concert at Radio City Music Hall for the David Lynch Foundation, featuring Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Donovan, and others.
2009: Marriage to Emily Stofle
In 2009, David Lynch married actress Emily Stofle.
2009: Interview Project Web Series
In 2009, David Lynch produced a documentary Web series, Interview Project, directed by his son Austin Lynch and friend Jason S.
2009: Support for Roman Polanski Petition
In 2009, David Lynch signed a petition supporting Roman Polanski after his detention relating to a 1977 arrest for alleged sexual abuse.
2009: Filming of Biographical Documentary
In 2009, David Lynch went to India to film interviews with people who knew the Maharishi as part of a biographical documentary.
2010: Release of 'David Wants to Fly' Documentary
In 2010, 'David Wants to Fly', a documentary about David Sieveking's journey into Transcendental Meditation inspired by David Lynch, was released.
October 2011: Opening of Silencio Nightclub in Paris
In October 2011, David Lynch's designed nightclub 'Silencio' opened in Paris. It is a private members' club accessible to the public after midnight, offering concerts, films, and performances.
2011: Showing of 'Beyond The Noise: My Transcendental Meditation Journey'
In 2011, 'Beyond The Noise: My Transcendental Meditation Journey', an independent project starring David Lynch and directed by Dana Farley, was shown at film festivals.
2012: Birth of Lula Boginia Lynch
In 2012, David Lynch and Emily Stofle had a child, Lula Boginia Lynch.
2012: Acting Role in Louie
In 2012, David Lynch appeared as an actor in the TV series Louie, demonstrating his range of talents.
2012: Planned Vote for Barack Obama
In 2012, David Lynch stated he would vote for Democratic incumbent Barack Obama in the presidential election.
2013: Lynch on Transcendental Meditation
In 2013, David Lynch wrote about Transcendental Meditation leading to a 'beautiful, peaceful revolution'.
2016: Endorsement of Bernie Sanders and Vote for Gary Johnson
In 2016, David Lynch endorsed Bernie Sanders for the U.S. presidential election, voting for him in the Democratic primaries. He later voted for Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson in the general election.
2016: Mulholland Drive named best film of the 21st century
In 2016, Mulholland Drive was named the best film of the 21st century in a BBC poll of 177 film critics from 36 countries.
2017: Twin Peaks Third Season
In 2017, David Lynch released a third season of Twin Peaks, reviving the series after a long hiatus.
2017: Emily Stofle Appears in Twin Peaks Revival
In 2017, David Lynch's wife, Emily Stofle, appeared in the revival of Twin Peaks.
2017: The Edward MacDowell Medal
In 2017, The MacDowell Colony awarded David Lynch The Edward MacDowell Medal for his outstanding contributions to American culture.
June 2018: Publication of 'Room to Dream'
In June 2018, David Lynch published 'Room to Dream', a biography-memoir hybrid written with Kristine McKenna.
June 2018: Comments on Donald Trump's Presidency
In June 2018, David Lynch said that Donald Trump could go down as "one of the greatest presidents in history" because he has disrupted the country so much, later clarifying that his words were taken out of context.
2019: Lynch Discusses Transcendental Meditation
In 2019, David Lynch discussed the benefits of Transcendental Meditation in an interview with British artist Alexander de Cadenet.
2019: Academy Honorary Award
In 2019, David Lynch received an Academy Honorary Award, further solidifying his status as a major figure in the film industry.
2020: Diagnosis of Emphysema
David Lynch was diagnosed with emphysema in 2020, which he revealed in an interview in August 2024.
2020: Support for Black Lives Matter Protests
In 2020, David Lynch expressed support for Black Lives Matter protests following the murder of George Floyd.
April 2022: $500 Million Transcendental Meditation Initiative
In April 2022, David Lynch announced a $500 million transcendental meditation world peace initiative.
2022: Acting Role in The Fabelmans
In 2022, David Lynch acted in the film The Fabelmans, adding to his acting credits.
2022: Condemnation of Russian Invasion of Ukraine
In 2022, David Lynch condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and addressed Vladimir Putin directly.
2022: Quitting Smoking
In 2022, David Lynch quit smoking, after starting when he was eight years old; he also revealed in August 2024 that he relied on supplemental oxygen and could hardly walk.
2023: Emily Stofle Files for Divorce
In 2023, Emily Stofle filed for divorce from David Lynch.
August 2024: Emphysema Diagnosis and Health Concerns
In August 2024, David Lynch revealed he was diagnosed with emphysema in 2020 and that it would likely prevent him from directing new projects.
September 2024: Last Broadcast Speech at Meditate America 2024
In September 2024, David Lynch made his last published broadcast speech at Meditate America 2024. He discussed the Beatles' practice of TM and played a cover of "Across the Universe".
December 20, 2024: Divorce Settlement Agreement Reached
On December 20, 2024, a divorce settlement agreement was reached between David Lynch and Emily Stofle, though the final divorce decree had not been issued before Lynch's death.
2024: Value of Fairmount Home in 2024
In 1967, David Lynch and his wife bought a 12-room house for $3,500. In 2024, that same house's value would be equivalent to $33,000 due to inflation.
2024: Value of Wasserman's Commission in 2024
In 1967, H. Barton Wasserman commissioned Lynch to create a film installation in his home for $1,000. In 2024, that amount would be equivalent to $9,000 due to inflation.
January 2025: Death from Emphysema Complications
In January 2025, David Lynch died from complications of emphysema following evacuation from his home due to the Southern California wildfires. He was a lifelong smoker.
January 2025: Evacuation Due to Wildfires and Death
In January 2025, David Lynch was evacuated from his Los Angeles home due to wildfires, preceding his death at his daughter's home on January 15 at the age of 78.
February 2025: Public Report of Death Certificate
In February 2025, David Lynch's death certificate was publicly reported, citing cardiac arrest due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and dehydration as causes. He was cremated and buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
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