David Lynch Passes Away at 78: A Visionary Filmmaker and Artist Leaves a Legacy

David Lynch, a visionary filmmaker, musician, and artist, passed away at the age of 78. His family announced his passing on his Facebook page on Thursday.

Lynch's family did not reveal his cause of death, but shared a quote from him, saying "Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole." They also thanked fans for their support, stating, "There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, 'It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.'"

"It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch. We would appreciate some privacy at this time," his family wrote.

Lynch was a renowned filmmaker, earning Oscar nominations for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay in 1981 for "The Elephant Man," as well as for "Blue Velvet" in 1987 and "Mulholland Drive" in 2002. He also received critical acclaim for directing television's "Twin Peaks" for three seasons.

Lynch's first full-length feature film, “Eraserhead,” released in 1977, continues to resonate with fans. Although his last feature film that he directed was in 2006, he continued to lead short films and music videos, as well as returning to direct a third season of "Twin Peaks" in 2019. In 2019, Lynch earned a Lifetime Achievement Academy Award.