The success of Lynch's next film, Blue velvethelped ease his disappointment, as did his move to television with the bizarrely surreal and influential series Twin peaks– part detective story, part soap opera, with touches of sci-fi and horror. The series spawned a spin-off prequel, Twin Peaks: Firewalk with me (1992), and a 2017 revival series, Twin Peaks: The Return, which picks up the storyline 25 years later. Many other TV series were influenced by Lynch's show, including The X files, Lost, The sopranos, Bates Motel, Fargo, Riverdale, Atlantaand the animated series Gravity falls.
His last features were an LA-focused trilogy:Lost highway (1997), Mulholland DriveAnd Home Empire (2006) – and the 1999 biographical road drama, The honest storybased on the true story of a man named Alvin Straight who rode a lawnmower through Iowa and Wisconsin. It was acquired by Walt Disney Pictures and was Lynch's only G-rated film.
“A special visionary dreamer”
Lynch launched Kyle MacLachlan's career when he cast him as Paul Atreides in 1984 Dune.
Universal images
Lynch launched Kyle MacLachlan's career when he cast him as Paul Atreides in 1984 Dune.
Universal images
You'll never see a stripped-down Sting in a codpiece again.
Universal images
You'll never see a stripped-down Sting in a codpiece again.
Universal images
Lynch launched Kyle MacLachlan's career when he cast him as Paul Atreides in 1984 Dune.
Universal images
You'll never see a stripped-down Sting in a codpiece again.
Universal images
The director's filmography also includes an assortment of short films, all bearing his eccentric stamp, including a surreal short film, Absurdshown at Cannes in 2007, as well Premonition after an evil deed (NSFW YouTube link), Lynch's contribution to the 1995 anthology film Lumiere and Company. All 41 featured directors used the original Cinematographer camera invented by the Lumière brothers. Lynch was also an avid painter, cartoonist and musician, directing several music videos for artists such as Moby and Nine Inch Nails. Until his death he presented idiosyncratic online 'weather reports' and a web series, What is David Lynch working on today?? He even earned occasional acting credits.
Lynch received an honorary lifetime achievement Oscar at the Governors Awards in 2000, following three previous nominations for The elephant man, Blue velvetAnd Mulholland Drive. Pete Hammond of Deadline called Lynch's speech “probably one of the shortest for any Oscar acceptance”. Lynch briefly thanked the Academy and the other honorees, wished everyone a nice evening, then pointed to the statue and said, “You have a very interesting figure. Good night.' He won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 1990 Wild at heart and won the Best Director award in 2001 Mulholland Drive.
Naomi Watts, who played double roles as doppelgängers Betty Elms and Diane Selwyn in Mulholland Drivesaid Lynch put her “on the map” as an actor by casting her. “It wasn't just his art that impressed me; his wisdom, humor and love gave me a special sense of belief in myself that I had never experienced before,” she said in a statement. “Every moment together felt charged with a presence I've rarely seen or known. Probably because, yes, he seemed to live in a changed world, a world that I feel like I've been a small part of. And David invited everyone to take a look into that world through his exquisite storytelling, which took cinema to the next level and inspired generations of filmmakers around the world.”
