David Lynch
Date of birth: 1946-01-20
Place of birth: Missoula, Montana, USA
Known for: Directing
Also known as: 데이빗 린치, デイヴィッド・リンチ, David Keith Lynch, DKL
Biography
David Keith Lynch (January 20, 1946 – January 16, 2025) was an American filmmaker, visual artist, musician, and actor. Lynch received critical acclaim for his films, which are often distinguished by their surrealist, dreamlike qualities. In his 58-year career, he was awarded numerous accolades, including the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in 2006 and an Honorary Academy Award in 2019. In 2007, a panel of critics convened by The Guardian announced that "after all the discussion, no one could fault the conclusion that David Lynch is the most important filmmaker of the current era." Lynch studied painting before he began making short films in the late 1960s. His first feature-length film was the independent surrealist film Eraserhead (1977), which saw success as a midnight movie. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director for the biographical drama The Elephant Man (1980) and the mystery films Blue Velvet (1986) and Mulholland Drive (2001). His romantic crime drama Wild at Heart (1990) won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. He also directed the space opera adaptation Dune (1984), the surrealist neo-noir Lost Highway (1997), the biographical drama The Straight Story (1999), and the experimental film Inland Empire (2006). Lynch and Mark Frost created the ABC series Twin Peaks (1990–91), for which Lynch was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. Lynch co-wrote and directed its film prequel, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992), and its limited series revival (2017). He has also worked as an actor, including his portrayals of FBI agent Gordon Cole in Twin Peaks and director John Ford in Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans (2022), as well as guest roles in TV series such as The Cleveland Show (2010–13), Louie (2012), and Robot Chicken (2020, 2022). Lynch's other artistic endeavours included his work as a musician, encompassing the studio albums BlueBOB (2001), Crazy Clown Time (2011), and The Big Dream (2013), as well as painting and photography. He has written the books Images (1994), Catching the Big Fish (2006), and Room to Dream (2018). He has directed several music videos for artists such as Chris Isaak, X Japan, Moby, Interpol, Nine Inch Nails, and Donovan, and commercials for Calvin Klein, Dior, L'Oreal, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, and the New York City Department of Sanitation. A practitioner of Transcendental Meditation (TM), he founded the David Lynch Foundation, which seeks to fund the teaching of TM in schools and has since widened its scope to other at-risk populations, including the homeless, veterans, and refugees.
Movie Credits
David Lynch: 1985
2005-01-01
An interview with director David Lynch from 1985 on his 1984 film: Dune
Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night
1988-01-03
Recorded live at the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles, Roy is joined by an eclectic ensemble of rock and
Zelly & Me
1988-04-15
A young orphan who lives with her grandmother in a large Virginian home infatuates herself with the
I Don't Know Jack
2002-04-05
The life of actor Jack Nance, whose rise to prominence after starring in David Lynch's 1977 cult cla
Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch
1997-10-14
An in-depth look at artist/filmmaker David Lynch's movies, paintings, drawings, photographs, and var
Destination Dune
1983-01-01
A short documentary that was originally produced to promote the film at conventions and publicity ev
The Amputee
1974-01-01
A double amputee attempts to write a letter while her nurse gets in the way. [The Amputee was produc
The Fabelmans
2022-11-11
Growing up in post-World War II era Arizona, young Sammy Fabelman aspires to become a filmmaker as h
Inland Empire
2006-12-06
When actress Nikki Grace gets the lead role in a cursed film, her world becomes more and more surrea
Don Van Vliet: Some YoYo Stuff
1994-09-09
Don van Vliet, alias "Captain Beefheart", is one of the most influential, misunderstood, talked abou
Side by Side
2012-08-19
Since the invention of cinema, the standard format for recording moving images has been film. Over t
Mysteries of Love
2002-02-24
Isabella Rossellini, Kyle MacLachlan, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern, and producer Fred Caruso are interv
The Way of Samodelkin
2009-06-05
A mystical detective story set in the realm of Moscow art scene. Psychedelic trip through different
Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction
2013-09-11
An impressionistic portrait of the iconic actor Harry Dean Stanton comprised of intimate moments, fi
Nadja
1995-09-01
In a contemporary New York City, members of a dysfunctional family of vampires are trying to come to
Curtains Up
2018-10-05
American auteur David Lynch opens up about the magic of the cinema in this new profile from Stella M
Eraserhead Stories
2001-09-06
David Lynch discusses the making of the film "Eraserhead."
The Making of ‘Mulholland Drive’
2004-04-05
A short documentary about the making of David Lynch's film Mulholland Drive.
Night Flight: Born Again
2016-04-10
Documentary tribute to what VH1 called “the single greatest rock omnibus program ever aired” and Bro
BlueBob Egg
2002-02-25
Before our very eyes, BlueBob gets arrested in broad daylight.
Twin Peaks: The Phenomenon
2017-12-05
"Twin Peaks: The Phenomenon" is a three-part short documentary briefly chronicling the history of Tw
Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces
2014-07-16
Ninety minutes of deleted and alternate takes from Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, assembled by David
Crazy About the Movies: Dennis Hopper
1991-05-17
Hollywood's controversial creative genius, whose career spans multiple generations of moviegoers, is
Donovan: The Donovan Concert - Live in L.A.
2007-04-01
This incredible performance DVD was recorded in front of a packed house of adoring fans at the Kodak
The Soul Detective
2009-02-02
A detective enters a train car where he finds different manifestations of a force that haunts the pl
Boat
2003-12-23
A journey into night.
Dennis Hopper: Create (or Die)
2003-02-10
We are taken though the principal milestones of Hopper's biography, including his debut start in Hol
Brand: A Second Coming
2015-03-13
Comic Russell Brand uses drugs, sex and fame in a quest for happiness, only to find it remains elusi
Dino De Laurentiis: The Last Movie Mogul
2001-04-01
Documentary about legendary Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis who's credits range from Fellini's L
It's a Beautiful World
2014-04-21
Richard Beymer first met David Lynch when Lynch cast him as Ben Horne in the series Twin Peaks. Year
Sailing with Bushnell Keeler
1967-01-01
In 1967, a young David Lynch grabbed his new Bolex 16mm camera, to film his friend and mentor Bushne
Dennis Hopper: The Decisive Moments
2004-05-01
The inevitable fat cigar between his fingers, the American actor, director and fine artist Dennis Ho
No Frank in Lumberton
1988-01-19
A very surreal video shot behind the scenes during the production of Blue Velvet in Wilmington, Nort
Made in the USA
1993-09-25
A Paul Joyce documentary on the American independent film scene.
The Elephant Man
1980-10-09
A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show
Out Yonder — Neighbor Boy
2002-02-11
Humorous short film in which David Lynch and his son Austin observe the follies of their neighbor.
This Is Sparklehorse
2022-10-12
An comprehensive look at the life and music of Mark Linkous, a influential figure in the alternative
What Is Cinema?
2013-09-06
Using the words and ideas of great filmmakers, from archival interviews with Alfred Hitchcock and Ro
Jonathan Ross Presents for One Week Only: David Lynch
1990-10-19
hot off Wild at Heart (1990) winning the palme d'Or at Cannes, Johnathan Ross interviews filmmaker D
My Beautiful Broken Brain
2014-11-21
A profoundly personal voyage into the complexity, fragility and wonder of the human brain, after Lot
Dynamic:01: The Best of DavidLynch.com
2025-07-18
Two hours of original content previously only available to paid up members of DavidLynch.com. This B
Lucky
2017-09-29
Follows the journey of a 90-year-old atheist and the quirky characters that inhabit his off-the-map
David Lynch: The Art Life
2017-02-15
An intimate journey through the formative years of David Lynch's life. From his idyllic upbringing i
Blue Velvet Revisited
2016-10-07
When David Lynch was making his film Blue Velvet, German filmmaker Peter Braatz was also on set, sho
Shadows of Paradise
2016-10-11
Since the death of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in February 2008, long-time practitioner of Transcenden
On Meditation
2016-07-27
Peter Matthiessen, David Lynch, and Russell Simmons see among the many celebrity devotees interviewe
Heart Beat
1980-04-25
An exploration of the relationship between Beat Generation writers Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady, an
The Music of David Lynch
2016-04-10
The David Lynch Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary with an exploration of the director's use
Great Directors
2009-05-19
Features conversations with ten of the world's greatest living directors: Bernardo Bertolucci, David
The Fine Art of Separating People from Their Money
1996-11-17
An examination of the evolution of commercials as an artistic medium, featuring interviews with medi
A Slice of Lynch
2007-10-30
David Lynch, Mädchen Amick, Kyle MacLachlan and John Wentworth reminisce about "Twin Peaks" while se
The Sound of Lynch
2007-12-31
This documentary explores every facet of this job of complex and exciting sound which David Lynch le
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
1992-06-03
In the questionable town of Deer Meadow, Washington, FBI Agent Desmond inexplicably disappears while
Lynch (one)
2007-10-26
Rare glimpse into the fascinating mind of one of cinema's greatest directors. Footage was gathered o
Lynch 2
2007-08-14
Follow up of the Lynch documentary on the making of INLAND EMPIRE. Released as an extra on the INLA
The Black Ghiandola
2017-04-22
The Black Ghiandola is a story about a young man risking his life to save a young girl he has grown
2012: Time for Change
2010-10-08
2012: Time For Change is a documentary feature that presents ways to transform our unsustainable soc
David Wants to Fly
2010-05-06
A documentary. David Sieveking takes the advice of his idol, David Lynch and tries out Maharishi Mah
Lamp
2003-09-09
Short documentary of David Lynch building a lamp.
La Traversée du désir
2009-03-16
What was your first desire? What did you long for most? Arielle Dombasle put these questions to a wi
Rocksteppy
2017-01-01
Phil and Colin Beverly are two inept small-town brothers with big dreams, and a song-and-dance rock
Along for the Ride
2016-11-03
A documentary chronicling the filmmaking career of Dennis Hopper.
I Know Catherine, the Log Lady
2025-04-09
An authorized feature documentary about Catherine E. Coulson, best known as the Log Lady in David Ly
WHAT DID JACK DO?
2017-11-08
In a locked down train station, a homicide detective conducts an interview with a tormented monkey
Twin Peaks Festival Greeting 2008
2008-11-25
A surreal short film that Lynch made for the 2008 Twin Peaks Festival. It only screened once and is
Early Experiments
2008-11-25
A 16mm film experiment conducted in 1967 and 1968 in Philadelphia which feature small parts of the A
Out Yonder — Chicken
2007-09-10
Lost in thought, while staring at a silent bucket filled to the brim with water, David Lynch is shoc
Out Yonder — Teeth
2003-04-16
On a quiet winter morning, Austin, son of David Lynch, breaks his silence and decides to talk about
Hollyshorts Greeting
2008-11-25
A fun short piece that Lynch presented as his acceptance for the Hollyshorts 2008 Visionary Award.
Dune
1984-12-14
In the year 10,191, the most precious substance in the universe is the spice Melange. The spice exte
Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream
2006-06-20
From 1970-1977, six low budget films shown at midnight transformed the way we make and watch films.
The 8th Floor
2014-05-10
On the 8th floor of the Fondation Cartier in Paris, Raymond Depardon's film features a minute of sil
Between Two Worlds
2014-07-29
"Between Two Worlds" is a featurette included in the Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery and Twin Peaks:
Meditation, Creativity, Peace
2012-11-15
This documentary shot by film students follows David Lynch on a 16-country tour of Europe, the Middl
Girlfriend's Day
2017-01-24
When he's caught up in a deadly conspiracy, an unemployed greeting card writer must create the perfe
Memory Film
2012-12-11
Experimental short created for the 7th annual Memory Marathon at London’s Serpentine Gallery, explor
Red Fish
2009-06-16
Red Fish tells the story of a young woman traveling with her boyfriend. The couple's relationship se
Hollywood Mavericks
1990-09-07
A documentary focusing on seventeen maverick directors who were not afraid to break the rules of fil
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
2013-05-20
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise journeys through Brooks’ early years in the creative beginnings of live tel
Elvis | Viva Las Vegas
2008-09-16
Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound
2019-10-25
The history of cinematic sound, told by legendary sound designers and visionary filmmakers.
Critic
2008-01-22
Seventy critics and filmmakers discuss cinema around the conflict between the artist and the observe
David Lynch: Don't Look at Me
1989-01-01
A documentary about American director David Lynch from the Cinéma, de notre temps series.
Ruth, Roses, and Revolver
1987-02-20
Television documentary from BBCs Arena program in which David Lynch, fresh off the release of Blue
The Reality of Truth
2016-07-19
In this documentary, "Zappy" Zapolin interviews spiritual gurus, celebrities, and people of various
The A-Z of Separating People from their Money
1998-10-18
Pointing to the increasingly blurred distinction between reality and fiction in the world today, Den
Professor Goudet's Lessons
2013-04-06
Stéphane Goudet is all over the Tati box-set as the preeminent Tati scholar, so it is only fitting t
When Lynch Met Lucas
2010-02-13
This is an animated short made using audio of Film Director David Lynch telling the story of when he
Rammstein in Amerika
2015-09-25
The concert film celebrates the band’s legendary show in New York’s Madison Square Garden – Rammstei
Does That Hurt You?
2003-10-18
A camera-eye is aimed at David Lynch's back while in Hanover a second one records the internet-strea
Ångesthunden och Malmö under vatten
2011-01-01
If South Park met Stig "Slas" Claesson directed by Staffan Westerberg.
Brunes et Blondes
2010-10-06
Actresses' hairstyle in movies always carries a strong aesthetic statement associated with erotic, s
Meeting the Beatles in India
2020-09-09
Filmmaker Paul Saltzman retraces his journey of 50 years ago when he spent a life-changing time with
In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story
1999-10-07
Roy Orbison - In Dreams is the ultimate exclusive music documentary of the life of Roy Orbison. It p
The Disc of Sorrow Is Installed
2002-06-21
The Disc of Sorrow gets installed.
Welcome Home: Mary Reber and the Twin Peaks Palmer House
2021-03-10
An extensive interview with Palmer house owner and one-time Twin Peaks performer Mary Reber, with ne
The Original Image - David Lynch
2019-05-01
The original image or the first image. That of the first film, that of all the promises. The matrix
Moby Doc
2021-05-28
A surrealist biographical documentary about trailblazing electronic musician and animal rights activ
Ringo Starr: A Lifetime of Peace and Love
2014-01-20
The Polish Accountant
2017-12-05
Short documentary about the making of Twin Peaks: The Return.
Do Not Pick Up Hitchhikers
2017-12-05
Documentary about Twin Peaks: The Return.
The Number of Completion
2017-12-05
Short documentary about Twin Peaks: The Return.
See You on the Other Side Dear Friend
2017-12-05
Short documentary about Twin Peaks: The Return.
Tell It Martin
2017-12-05
Short documentary about the making of Twin Peaks: The Return.
I Had Bad Milk in Dehradun
2017-12-05
Short documentary about the making of Twin Peaks: The Return.
A Pot of Boiling Oil
2017-12-05
A short documentary about the making of Twin Peaks: The Return. David Lynch interacts with his cast
Two Blue Balls
2017-12-05
Short documentary about the making of Twin Peaks: The Return.
Behind the Red Curtain
2017-12-05
Documentary about the making of Twin Peaks: The Return.
Bad Binoculars
2017-12-05
Short documentary about the making of Twin Peaks: The Return.
A Bloody Finger in Your Mouth
2017-12-05
A short documentary about the making of Twin Peaks: The Return. This time focused in the planing and
The Man with the Gray Elevated Hair
2017-12-05
Behind the scenes of TWIN PEAKS: THE RETURN, with a focus on the work of David Lynch directing the a
A Very Lovely Dream: One Week in Twin Peaks
2017-12-05
One week in the making of David Lynch's 2017 continuation of his groundbreaking television series TW
A Fall from Grace
Detective Michael Tabb knows the city he protects inside and out. He has felt its true heart, as muc
Beatles '64
2024-11-24
Featuring never-before-seen footage of the band and the legions of young fans who helped fuel their
The Sleeper Must Awaken: Making Dune
2021-10-14
A brand new feature-length documentary by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures exploring the making of the film,
David Lynch Teaches Creativity and Film
2019-03-18
Oscar-nominated director David Lynch teaches his unconventional techniques for creating visionary fi
Return to Mulholland Drive
2003-06-17
French documentary about David Lynch's film Mulholland Drive.
Love, Death, Elvis & Oz: The Making of Wild at Heart
2004-12-07
A documentary about the making of the movie Wild at Heart, produced for the DVD release of the film.
David Lynch: A Remembrance Both Wonderful and Strange
2025-01-29
“A great American artist? Or America's greatest artist?…. He was the poet of the beautiful dark. We
The Making Of A Mockumentary
2025-04-11
A young adult who wants to have a career in filmmaking has trouble figuring out ideas for his first
Why Are We Creative?
2018-09-07
A 30 years odyssey: the world's most intriguing artists and thinkers from the fields of visual art,
David Lynch: The Virtual Life
2020-11-01
A Desktop Film exploring the story of David Lynch's online persona and digital essence.
The Amputee
1974-01-01
A double amputee attempts to write a letter while her nurse gets in the way. [The Amputee was produc
The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld
2025-10-23
The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld is an intimate portrait of what it means to expose oneself. At its ce
David Lynch: The Idea Dictates Everything
Plankton Salesmen
2017-10-29
A nostalgic look at the birth and death of arthouse film distribution in Russia in the early 2000s.
Lynch/Oz
2023-05-15
Victor Fleming’s 1939 film The Wizard of Oz is one of David Lynch’s most enduring obsessions. This d
PlayStation 2: The Third Place
2000-10-01
A waiting room, a talking duck-man, a severed arm, a mysterious woman, a young man in a black suit a
The Short Films of David Lynch
2002-06-01
A collection of visionary director David Lynch's short films from the first 29 years of his career i
Lumière & Company
1995-12-20
40 international directors were asked to make a short film using the original Cinematographe invente
This Video of David Lynch Is Not What It Seems
2018-04-24
David Lynch, in the most Lynchian way ever, invites you to be his VIP at Festival of Disruption in N
David Lynch Cooks Quinoa
2007-08-14
David Lynch cooks quinoa, which is a thing he does as much as possible.
Heart of the Festival
2002-04-16
A short film containing some of the highlights of the Cannes Film Festival's storied history.