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Naomi Watts leads the tributes for David Lynch

The iconic filmmaker has died, aged 78.

David Lynch, the filmmaker best known for Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks, has passed away, aged 78. 

His family confirmed the sad news via Facebook. 

“It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch,” the statement read. 

“There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’”

Naomi Watts, who starred in David’s 2001 film Mulholland Drive, was one of the first to pay her respects to David. 

David Lynch and Naomi Watts

Taking to Instagram, the actress penned a lengthy and emotional tribute. 

“My heart is broken. My Buddy Dave… The world will not be the same without him. His creative mentorship was truly powerful. He put me on the map,” Naomi wrote. 

“The world I’d been trying to break into for ten plus years, flunking auditions left and right. Finally, I sat in front of a curious man, beaming with light, speaking words from another era, making me laugh and feel at ease. How did he even ‘see me’ when I was so well hidden, and I’d even lost sight of myself?!

“It wasn’t just his art that impacted me – his wisdom, humor, and love gave me a special sense of belief in myself I’d never accessed before,” she continued. 

“Every moment together felt charged with a presence I’ve rarely seen or known. Probably because, yes, he seemed to live in an altered world, one that I feel beyond lucky to have been a small part of. And David invited all to glimpse into that world through his exquisite storytelling, which elevated cinema and inspired generations of filmmakers across the globe.

“I just cannot believe that he’s gone. I’m in pieces but forever grateful for our friendship.
I’m yelling from the bullhorn: Godspeed, Buddy Dave! Thank you for your everything.”

David Lynch and Naomi Watts

Twin Peaks actor Kyle MacLachlan, who worked with David numerous times, also paid tribute via Instagram. 

“I will miss him more than the limits of my language can tell and my heart can bear. My world is that much fuller because I knew him and that much emptier now that he’s gone,” Kyle wrote.

Furthermore, Nicolas Cage, who starred in David’s 1990 film Wild at Heart, told Deadline that the director was “a singular genius in cinema, one of the greatest artists of this or any time.” 

“He was brave, brilliant, and a maverick with a joyful sense of humour. I never had more fun on a film set than working with David Lynch. He will always be solid gold,” Nicolas continued. 

david and Kyle MacLachlan

David has long been celebrated for his surreal and innovative approach to storytelling. Effortlessly blending the macabre with the mundane in unforgettable ways. 

He made his breakthrough in 1977 with Eraserhead, a cult classic that established his distinct artistic vision. 

This success led to acclaimed works like The Elephant Man, which earned him numerous Oscar nominations, and Blue Velvet, which was hailed for its dark, psychological depth. 

Not to mention David’s groundbreaking series Twin Peaks redefined television in the 1990s. 

David received an honorary Academy Award in 2019 for his contributions to cinema, and will clearly be missed.

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