Kyle MacLachlan, James Gunn, Laura Harring, Questlove, and others paid tribute to one of Hollywood's most daring and innovative filmmakers following his passing.
David Lynch in Los Angeles, California, on July 7, 2019.Countless entertainment leaders, celebrities, and former collaborators are mourning the loss of David Lynch, the visionary filmmaker and multi-disciplinary artist whose hauntingly evocative work blurred the line between dreams and nightmares, reshaping the world of cinema forever.
Steven Spielberg, who cast Lynch in a cameo for his semi-autobiographical film The Fabelmans, honored him as “a singular, visionary dreamer who directed films that felt handmade.” Spielberg added, “The world will deeply miss such an original and unique voice. His films have already stood the test of time, and they always will.”
Kyle MacLachlan, Lynch’s longtime friend and collaborator for over four decades, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, accompanied by photos of their moments together over the years. “What I saw in him was an enigmatic and intuitive man with a creative ocean bursting inside of him,” wrote MacLachlan. “He was in touch with something the rest of us wish we could reach.” MacLachlan worked closely with Lynch on multiple iconic projects, including Dune (1984), the psychological thriller Blue Velvet (1986), and the groundbreaking series Twin Peaks (1990).
“While the world has lost an extraordinary artist, I’ve lost a dear friend who envisioned a future for me and allowed me to journey into worlds I could never have imagined on my own,” MacLachlan reflected. “I will miss him more deeply than words can express or my heart can bear. My life is infinitely richer for having known him, and immeasurably emptier now that he’s gone.”
Naomi Watts, star of Mulholland Drive, shared a touching tribute to Lynch on Instagram, accompanied by a heartfelt clip of the two together on set. “My heart is broken,” she began, expressing gratitude for how he “put [her] on the map.” Reflecting on Lynch’s unparalleled impact, Watts, who also appeared in the Twin Peaks revival, wrote, “David invited everyone to peer into his world through his exquisite storytelling, elevating cinema and inspiring generations of filmmakers worldwide. … I’m shouting from the bullhorn: Godspeed, Buddy Dave!”
Laura Harring, fellow Mulholland Drive star, honored David Lynch on Instagram, writing: “All artists and humans who crossed your path will mourn your passing, but I know you’re up above creating movies, writing, painting, and meditating.”
Lee Grant, who also appeared in the 2001 film, shared her memories on X, recalling how she first became captivated by Twin Peaks in the 1990s. As a production manager on a film at the time, she noted that the crew insisted on scheduling their shoots around the broadcast of the show’s “dreamscapes,” which they refused to miss.
“Years later, when I had the chance to work with him for a day, I leaped at the opportunity to witness how a mind like his directed,” Grant shared. “It was a day on Mulholland Drive. He was, without a doubt, a one-of-a-kind artist.”
Nicolas Cage, who starred in Lynch’s Wild at Heart (1990), praised the filmmaker in a statement to Deadline. Calling him “one of the greatest artists of this or any time,” Cage added, “He was brave, brilliant, and a maverick with a joyful sense of humor. I’ve never had more fun on a film set than I did working with David Lynch. He will always be solid gold.”
The Roots drummer Questlove honored David Lynch on Threads, praising him as “the first human/creative to emphasize the importance of not overworking, taking time to breathe and meditate, and exploring creative paths outside of my comfort zone.” He added that Lynch was his “guiding creative light” for his 2016 book, Somethingtofoodabout.
Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn paid tribute on X, writing, “RIP David Lynch. You inspired so many of us.” Filmmaker Ron Howard also shared his thoughts, remembering Lynch as a “gracious man and fearless artist who followed his heart and soul, proving that radical experimentation could create unforgettable cinema.”
Billy Corgan, frontman of The Smashing Pumpkins, reflected on working with David Lynch, whose 1997 film Lost Highway featured the band’s song “Eye.” Writing on X, Corgan shared, “Working with him was like stepping into a dream straight out of one of his movies. I treasure the times I got to speak with him and hear firsthand his vision for a film.” He added, “He was a true artist, through and through.”
0 Comments