Acclaimed “Twin Peaks” director David Lynch has disclosed a disheartening health issue that has impacted his ability to work.
In a conversation with Sight & Sound, the 78-year-old filmmaker stated, “I’ve developed emphysema from many years of smoking, so I’m essentially homebound whether I want to be or not.”
“I can’t venture outside,” he elaborated. “And I can only cover a brief distance before I run out of oxygen.”
He added that “now, because of COVID, even catching a cold could be extremely dangerous for me.”
Emphysema is a pulmonary condition that leads to difficulty breathing, typically resulting from prolonged smoking, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
David Lynch informed Sight & Sound magazine about his emphysema diagnosis, stating he must remain at home because even a cold “could be very dangerous” for him. (Oleg Nikishin/Epsilon/Getty Images)
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“I once adored smoking, but ultimately it caught up with me,” he confessed, reflecting on his former love for cigarettes. “…there’s nothing in this world quite as beautiful. However, it’s also harming me, so I had to stop.”
Lynch is renowned for his darkly imaginative storytelling in classics like “Eraserhead,” “Blue Velvet,” and “Mulholland Drive.”
Throughout his illustrious career, the director, writer, and occasional actor has received four Oscar nominations and five Emmy nominations, along with numerous other accolades.
“I’ve developed emphysema from many years of smoking, so I’m essentially homebound whether I want to be or not.”
Regrettably, due to his emphysema, the legendary filmmaker feels that it is improbable he will be able to work again, at least not in a conventional setting.
“I would consider doing it remotely if necessary,” he mentioned, “but I wouldn’t enjoy that.”
Representatives for Lynch did not provide immediate responses to Fox News Digital’s inquiries for comments.
David Lynch at the premiere of “Twin Peaks” at Ace Hotel on May 19, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. (Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
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Lynch’s most recent feature film was 2006’s “Inland Empire,” featuring Laura Dern and Jeremy Irons.
In 2017, he brought back “Twin Peaks” for a third season on Showtime, which consisted of 18 episodes titled “Twin Peaks: The Return.”
As reported by The Independent, Showtime expressed in 2018 their readiness to produce additional episodes when Lynch was prepared.
“We’re incredibly pleased with ‘Twin Peaks,’ absolutely thrilled,” noted programming president Gary Levine during a press tour for the Television Critics Association, according to the outlet.
Lynch stands alongside “Twin Peaks: The Return” stars Laura Dern and Kyle McLachlan. This was one of the director’s final significant projects. (Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
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He remarked, “The project was remarkable, the response from fans was incredible,” and stated, “the door remains open” for additional “Twin Peaks” or other ventures.
Lynch has produced several short films, including “What Did Jack Do?” which was released on Netflix in 2017.
The “Dune” director holds some optimism for future projects, including his long-anticipated screenplay “Antelope Don’t Run No More.”
“The future remains uncertain,” he concluded regarding the project.
Lynch mentioned he would contemplate directing from a distance to safeguard his health, although he admitted he “wouldn’t enjoy that much.” (Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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He also discussed an animated movie he began developing with “The Nightmare Before Christmas” scriptwriter Caroline Thompson, titled “Snootworld,” in an interview with Deadline earlier this year.
“Recently, I thought there might be interest in supporting this, so I pitched it to Netflix in the past few months, but they declined,” Lynch shared. “Traditional fairy tales seem to be out of favor: evidently, there’s a resistance to them. It’s a different landscape now, and it’s simpler to reject than to accept.”
