Artists Pay Tribute To David Lynch

Visionary filmmaker, musician, visual artist and actor David Lynch has died. He was 78.

Known for his surrealist work in films and television, Lynch was the creative force behind Mulholland Drive, Eraserhead, Dune, Lost Highway, and Twin Peaks.

This month, Lynch was evacuated from his home in Southern California due to the ongoing wildfires, with Deadline Hollywood reporting that the events preceded a decline in his health. Lynch died on Wednesday, 15 January, at his daughter’s home.

Announcing the sad news on social media, Lynch’s family wrote:

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. 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.”

It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.

News of Lynch’s passing has attracted tributes from icons far and wide, from fellow directors like Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, and James Gunn to his collaborators Kyle McLachlan, Naomi Watts, and Nicolas Cage. Ben Stiller, Judd Apatow, and Patton Oswalt also shared tributes.

The loss of such a creative icon has also trickled down to impact the music industry.

The estate for David Bowie posted the following tribute: “We’re deeply saddened by the passing of David Lynch.

“You’ll be aware of his work through the incredible body of films he directed. Bowie himself cited Lynch’s work as an influence and who could forget seeing DB as FBI Special Agent Phillip Jeffries, first introduced to viewers in Lynch’s 1992 prequel film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, with further appearances by the special agent in Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces and Twin Peaks: The Return.”

Sharing photos with Lynch, The Roots’ Questlove wrote: “Lynch was the first human/creative that stressed the importance of not overworking and taking time out to breathe & meditate and searching for creative avenues not in my comfort zone (he was my guiding creative light for the Somethingtofoodabout book from 2016. Took a liking to me always inviting me to his events and parties and really stressing the importance of self care. Thank you.”

Patti Smith also shared a photo with Lynch. She wrote, “This is saying farewell old pal.”

Singer-songwriter Ethel Cain revealed Lynch’s influence on her art, writing: “in heaven, everything is fine ♡ eraserhead and his factory photographs impacted me in ways i can’t describe in words. the world is darker without you, mr. lynch. say hi to angelo for us, please.”

Sting, sharing a behind-the-scenes pic on the Dune set, wrote, “David was a modern giant of the avant garde. I am so proud to have worked with him on the first Dune movie. Rest in peace.”

Chaka Khan, who joined this year’s Bluesfest line-up this week, honoured Lynch like so: “Today, I honor the extraordinary life and legacy of my dear friend David Lynch, a visionary who introduced me to Transcendental Meditation through his Foundation, transforming my life and the lives of millions. I'll forever be grateful for his vision, leadership, and kindness, and will continue to find solace in the peace and unity of TM. Much Love David!”

Filmmaker and composer John Carpenter added, “I got to be friends with David Lynch when we were both at Universal years ago. A very kind man, he was a fan of Bob's Big Boy. So was I. I'm going to miss him. R.I.P. David.”

Aussie band The Basics also highlighted Lynch’s impact. “Hard to put into words just what David Lynch and his body of work mean to Wally, Tim and I,” they wrote. “He was what Monty Python was to comedy and The Beatles were to music for us, at once totally rock’n’roll while simultaneously possessing the depth of some ancient truth.

“People often make themselves look stupid trying to break his complex dreamscapes down into words and I feel the same about the many words that will be said about him in the coming days. So we will simply say his work speaks for itself and may it live on into eternity. The world is lesser without him in it. May he rest in Peace.”

You can see the tributes below.

RIP DAVID LYNCH

“And the rain sets in, It's the angel-man, I'm deranged...” *

We’re deeply saddened by the passing of David Lynch. You’ll be aware of his work through the incredible body of films he directed.

Bowie himself cited Lynch’s work as an influence and who could… pic.twitter.com/ONYZ5pHjCG

— David Bowie Official (@DavidBowieReal) January 16, 2025

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Questlove (@questlove)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by This is Patti Smith (@thisispattismith)

I got to be friends with David Lynch when we were both at Universal years ago. A very kind man, he was a fan of Bob's Big Boy. So was I. I'm going to miss him. R.I.P. David.

— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) January 17, 2025