How David Lynch Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

How the contributions of David Lynch continue to shape the world today.

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.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1943: Influence of 'Meshes of the Afternoon'

In 1943, Maya Deren's experimental film 'Meshes of the Afternoon' influenced David Lynch.

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1950: Admiration for 'Sunset Boulevard'

David Lynch cited Billy Wilder's 'Sunset Boulevard' (1950) as one of his favorite films.

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1953: Admiration for 'Monsieur Hulot's Holiday'

In 1953, Jacques Tati's 'Monsieur Hulot's Holiday' influenced Lynch's work.

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1954: Admiration for 'Rear Window'

In 1954, Alfred Hitchcock's 'Rear Window' was one of David Lynch's favorite films.

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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.

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1963: Admiration for Fellini's 8½

In 1963, David Lynch expressed admiration for Federico Fellini's film 8½.

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1970: Influence of 'Deep End'

In 1970, Jerzy Skolimowski's 'Deep End' influenced David Lynch's work.

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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.

1977: Admiration for 'Stroszek'

In 1977, Werner Herzog's 'Stroszek' was one of David Lynch's favorite films.

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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.

2007: Recognition as an Important Filmmaker

In 2007, The Guardian declared David Lynch the most important filmmaker of the current era.

2013: Lynch on Transcendental Meditation

In 2013, David Lynch wrote about Transcendental Meditation leading to a 'beautiful, peaceful revolution'.

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.

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2017: The Edward MacDowell Medal

In 2017, The MacDowell Colony awarded David Lynch The Edward MacDowell Medal for his outstanding contributions to American culture.

2018: Memoir Room to Dream mentioned some video frames as beautiful.

In 2018, in his memoir Room to Dream, David Lynch wrote that some of the frames from the video for X Japan's song "Longing ~Setsubou no Yoru~" are "so fuckin' beautiful, you can't believe it."