archytele The Vault

David Lynch

Directing Born Jan 20, 1946 Died Jan 16, 2025 Missoula, Montana, USA 350 credits

Biography

David Lynch is a male filmmaker born in Missoula, Montana, USA. He was born on January 20, 1946. Lynch studied painting before beginning to make short films in the late 1960s. His first feature-length film was made during this period. He is known for directing films that are often characterized by their surrealist and dreamlike qualities. Lynch has a career spanning 58 years, during which he worked on numerous projects. He died on January 16, 2025, at the age of 78.

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Career

Career overview

David Lynch began making short films in the late 1960s after studying painting. His first feature-length film marked the beginning of a long and distinguished career in filmmaking. Lynch's films are often characterized by their surrealist and dreamlike qualities, earning him critical acclaim.

Throughout his career, Lynch directed numerous films and projects, accumulating a large body of work. He was recognized for his contributions to the film industry, receiving various accolades. Lynch's career spanned over five decades, during which he continued to create innovative and thought-provoking films.

Lynch's work has been widely acknowledged, with a panel of critics convened by The Guardian declaring him the most important filmmaker of the current era in 2007. His influence and impact on the film industry are evident in his enduring legacy.

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Frequent co-stars

Career timeline

Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!I Know Catherine, the Log LadyEyes Behind the LensWhat Would David Lynch Do?
The Hanging of Stuart CornfeldTríptico · ThanksThe Making Of A MockumentaryJack Paints It Red · MusicThe Legend of the Happy Worker · Executive Producer
Beatles '64
Lynch/Oz
The FabelmansThe Other Me · Executive ProducerThis Is Sparklehorse
This Is PopMorceaux de CannesFaraway Eyes · ThanksThe Sleeper Must Awaken: Making DuneWelcome Home: Mary Reber and the Twin Peaks Palmer House
Meeting the Beatles in IndiaDavid Lynch: The Virtual Life
A Talk with Kyle MacLachlan and Sheryl Lee · Executive ProducerMaking Waves: The Art of Cinematic SoundDavid Lynch Teaches Creativity and FilmThe Original Image - David Lynch
Why Are We Creative?Waiting for Mr. Lynch · DirectorWaiting for Mr. Lynch · WriterWaiting for Mr. Lynch · ProducerCurtains Up
Plankton SalesmenThe NinetiesLuckyDavid Lynch: InsightThe Black Ghiandola
Blue Velvet RevisitedNight Flight: Born AgainAlong for the RideThe Reality of TruthShadows of Paradise
Rammstein in AmerikaBrand: A Second ComingLand of Nothing · Executive ProducerFire (Pożar) · Director
Twin Peaks: The Missing PiecesTwin Peaks: The Missing Pieces · DirectorTwin Peaks: The Missing Pieces · EditorTwin Peaks: The Missing Pieces · WriterTwin Peaks: The Missing Pieces · Characters
Nine Inch Nails: Came Back Haunted · DirectorMel Brooks: Make a NoiseWhat Is Cinema?Professor Goudet's LessonsHarry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction
Side by Side20 Little Films · DirectorMeditation, Creativity, PeaceMeditation, Creativity, Peace · WriterMemory Film
Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage · WriterBlue Velvet: The Lost Footage · DirectorÅngesthunden och Malmö under vatten
LouieDavid Lynch in OsloBrunes et Blondes42 One Dream Rush · DirectorMy Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done · Executive Producer
The Cleveland ShowThe Cleveland ShowLa Traversée du désirGreat DirectorsThe Soul Detective
Surveillance · Executive ProducerElvis | Viva Las VegasCriticHollyshorts GreetingHollyshorts Greeting · Director
Lynch 2More Things That Happened · DirectorMore Things That Happened · WriterMore Things That Happened · Director of PhotographyMore Things That Happened · Editor
LegendsInland EmpireInland Empire · EditorInland Empire · DirectorInland Empire · Producer
Robot ChickenWhat Is It? · ThanksDavid Lynch: 1985
Leçon de CinémaLove, Death, Elvis & Oz: The Making of Wild at HeartDennis Hopper: The Decisive MomentsThe Making of ‘Mulholland Drive’Intervalometer Experiments · Director
Cabin Fever · ThanksUn film et son époqueBoatBoat · WriterBoat · Director
Heart of the FestivalMysteries of LoveI Don't Know JackI Don't Know Jack · PresenterDarkened Room · Writer
Mulholland Drive · DirectorMulholland Drive · WriterMulholland Drive · Sound DesignerMulholland Drive · Sound Re-Recording MixerDumbLand
One Morning All Over the World · Director
Family GuyFamily GuyThe Straight Story · DirectorThe Straight Story · Sound DesignerIn Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story
Independent FocusThe A-Z of Separating People from their Money
Lost Highway · Sound DesignerLost Highway · Sound Re-Recording MixerLost Highway · DirectorLost Highway · WriterScene by Scene

Full filmography

  • Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! (2026) as Self - Filmmaker
  • I Know Catherine, the Log Lady (2026) as Self
  • Eyes Behind the Lens (2026) as Voice (Uncredited, Archive)
  • What Would David Lynch Do? (2026) as Self (Archived Footage)
  • The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld (2025)
  • Tríptico (2025) Thanks
  • The Making Of A Mockumentary (2025) as Himself (archive footage)
  • Jack Paints It Red (2025) Music
  • The Legend of the Happy Worker (2025) Executive Producer
  • David Lynch: A Remembrance Both Wonderful and Strange (2025) as Self (archive footage)
  • Beatles '64 (2024) as Self
  • Lynch/Oz (2023) as Self (archival footage)
  • The Fabelmans (2022) as John Ford
  • The Other Me (2022) Executive Producer
  • This Is Sparklehorse (2022) as Self
  • This Is Pop (2021) as Self (archive footage)
  • Morceaux de Cannes (2021)
  • Faraway Eyes (2021) Thanks
  • The Sleeper Must Awaken: Making Dune (2021) as Self (voice) (archive footage)
  • Welcome Home: Mary Reber and the Twin Peaks Palmer House (2021) as Self
  • Moby Doc (2021) as Self
  • David Lynch: The Idea Dictates Everything (2021) as David Lynch
  • Meeting the Beatles in India (2020) as Self
  • David Lynch: The Virtual Life (2020) as himself
  • A Talk with Kyle MacLachlan and Sheryl Lee (2019) Executive Producer
  • Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound (2019) as Self
  • David Lynch Teaches Creativity and Film (2019) as Himself
  • The Original Image - David Lynch (2019)
  • Why Are We Creative? (2018) as Self
  • Waiting for Mr. Lynch (2018) Director
  • Waiting for Mr. Lynch (2018) Writer
  • Waiting for Mr. Lynch (2018) Producer
  • Curtains Up (2018)
  • Ant Head (2018) Music
  • Ant Head (2018) Cinematography
  • Ant Head (2018) Writer
  • Ant Head (2018) Editor
  • Ant Head (2018) Producer
  • Ant Head (2018) Sound
  • Ant Head (2018) Director
  • Plankton Salesmen (2017) as Self (archive footage)
  • The Nineties (2017) as Self (archive footage)
  • Lucky (2017) as Howard
  • David Lynch: Insight (2017) as Self
  • The Black Ghiandola (2017) as Man In Black
  • David Lynch: The Art Life (2017) as Self
  • Bad Binoculars (2017) as Self
  • Girlfriend's Day (2017) as Narrator (voice)
  • The Polish Accountant (2017) as Self
  • WHAT DID JACK DO? (2017) as Detective
  • WHAT DID JACK DO? (2017) Director
  • WHAT DID JACK DO? (2017) Sound Mixer
  • WHAT DID JACK DO? (2017) Sound Designer
  • WHAT DID JACK DO? (2017) Set Decoration
  • WHAT DID JACK DO? (2017) Writer
  • WHAT DID JACK DO? (2017) Editor
  • WHAT DID JACK DO? (2017) Music
  • WHAT DID JACK DO? (2017) Set Designer
  • A Pot of Boiling Oil (2017) as Self
  • Tell It Martin (2017) as Self
  • The Number of Completion (2017) as Self
  • Behind the Red Curtain (2017) as Self
  • A Bloody Finger in Your Mouth (2017) as Self
  • Do Not Pick Up Hitchhikers (2017) as Self
  • Twin Peaks: The Phenomenon (2017) as Self
  • I Had Bad Milk in Dehradun (2017) as Self
  • Two Blue Balls (2017) as Self
  • Rocksteppy (2017) as Himself
  • See You on the Other Side Dear Friend (2017) as Self
  • A Very Lovely Dream: One Week in Twin Peaks (2017) as Self
  • Night Ride (2017) Music
  • The Man with the Gray Elevated Hair (2017) as Self
  • Blue Velvet Revisited (2016) as Self
  • Night Flight: Born Again (2016) as Self
  • Along for the Ride (2016) as Self
  • The Reality of Truth (2016) as Self
  • Shadows of Paradise (2016)
  • On Meditation (2016) as Self
  • Psychogenic Fugue (2016) Creative Consultant
  • The Music of David Lynch (2016) as Self
  • Kitsune (2016) Thanks
  • Rammstein in Amerika (2015) as Self
  • Brand: A Second Coming (2015) as Self
  • Land of Nothing (2015) Executive Producer
  • Fire (Pożar) (2015) Director
  • Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (2014) as Gordon Cole
  • Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (2014) Director
  • Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (2014) Editor
  • Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (2014) Writer
  • Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (2014) Characters
  • Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (2014) Sound Mixer
  • Duran Duran: Unstaged (2014) Director
  • Between Two Worlds (2014) as Self
  • It's a Beautiful World (2014) as Self
  • My Beautiful Broken Brain (2014) as Self
  • My Beautiful Broken Brain (2014) Executive Producer
  • The 8th Floor (2014) as Self
  • Ringo Starr: A Lifetime of Peace and Love (2014) as Self
  • Nine Inch Nails: Came Back Haunted (2013) Director
  • Mel Brooks: Make a Noise (2013) as Self
  • What Is Cinema? (2013) as Self
  • Professor Goudet's Lessons (2013) as Self
  • Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction (2013) as Self
  • Idem Paris (2013) Director
  • Side by Side (2012) as Self
  • 20 Little Films (2012) Director
  • Meditation, Creativity, Peace (2012) as Self
  • Meditation, Creativity, Peace (2012) Writer
  • Memory Film (2012)
  • Memory Film (2012) Director
  • Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage (2011) Writer
  • Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage (2011) Director
  • Ångesthunden och Malmö under vatten (2011) as Himself
  • Louie (2010) as Jack Dall
  • David Lynch in Oslo (2010) as Self
  • Brunes et Blondes (2010) as Self
  • 42 One Dream Rush (2010) Director
  • My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done (2010) Executive Producer
  • 2012: Time for Change (2010) as Self
  • David Wants to Fly (2010) as Self
  • When Lynch Met Lucas (2010)
  • Readymade, Emile Reynaud et la peinture s'anima (2010) Set Designer
  • The Cleveland Show (2009)
  • The Cleveland Show (2009) as Gus (voice)
  • La Traversée du désir (2009) as Self
  • Great Directors (2009) as Self
  • The Soul Detective (2009) as Himself
  • The Peaceline Project (2009) Executive Producer
  • Interview Project (2009) Creator
  • Red Fish (2009) as O Sábio
  • The Way of Samodelkin (2009) as Stranger in a dream
  • Surveillance (2008) Executive Producer
  • Elvis | Viva Las Vegas (2008) as Self
  • Critic (2008) as Self (voice)
  • Hollyshorts Greeting (2008) as Himself
  • Hollyshorts Greeting (2008) Director
  • Early Experiments (2008)
  • Early Experiments (2008) Director of Photography
  • Early Experiments (2008) Director
  • Early Experiments (2008) Writer
  • Early Experiments (2008) Editor
  • Early Experiments (2008) Producer
  • Twin Peaks Festival Greeting 2008 (2008) as Self
  • Twin Peaks Festival Greeting 2008 (2008) Writer
  • Twin Peaks Festival Greeting 2008 (2008) Producer
  • Twin Peaks Festival Greeting 2008 (2008) Director
  • Lynch 2 (2007) as Self
  • More Things That Happened (2007) Director
  • More Things That Happened (2007) Writer
  • More Things That Happened (2007) Director of Photography
  • More Things That Happened (2007) Editor
  • Lynch (one) (2007) as Self
  • To Each His Own Cinema (2007) Director
  • Dynamic:01: The Best of DavidLynch.com (2007) as himself
  • Dynamic:01: The Best of DavidLynch.com (2007) Director
  • Dynamic:01: The Best of DavidLynch.com (2007) Executive Producer
  • A Slice of Lynch (2007) as Self
  • Out Yonder — Chicken (2007)
  • Out Yonder — Chicken (2007) Director
  • The Sound of Lynch (2007)
  • Donovan: The Donovan Concert - Live in L.A. (2007) as Himself
  • Ballerina (2007) Director
  • Ballerina (2007) Writer
  • Ballerina (2007) Producer
  • Ballerina (2007) Cinematography
  • Legends (2006) as Self
  • Inland Empire (2006) as Bucky J, the gaffer (voice)
  • Inland Empire (2006) Editor
  • Inland Empire (2006) Director
  • Inland Empire (2006) Producer
  • Inland Empire (2006) Director of Photography
  • Inland Empire (2006) Sound Designer
  • Inland Empire (2006) Sound Re-Recording Mixer
  • Inland Empire (2006) Camera Operator
  • Inland Empire (2006) Writer
  • Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream (2006) as Self
  • Robot Chicken (2005) as Mad Scientist (voice)
  • What Is It? (2005) Thanks
  • David Lynch: 1985 (2005) as Self
  • Leçon de Cinéma (2004) as Self
  • Love, Death, Elvis & Oz: The Making of Wild at Heart (2004)
  • Dennis Hopper: The Decisive Moments (2004) as Self
  • The Making of ‘Mulholland Drive’ (2004) as Self
  • Intervalometer Experiments (2004) Director
  • Bug Crawls (2004) Director
  • Cabin Fever (2003) Thanks
  • Un film et son époque (2003) as Self
  • Boat (2003) as The Man
  • Boat (2003) Writer
  • Boat (2003) Director
  • Does That Hurt You? (2003) as Self
  • Does That Hurt You? (2003) Sound
  • Does That Hurt You? (2003) Writer
  • Dennis Hopper: Create (or Die) (2003) as Self
  • Out Yonder — Teeth (2003)
  • Out Yonder — Teeth (2003) Director
  • Return to Mulholland Drive (2003) as Self
  • Lamp (2003) as Self
  • Lamp (2003) Producer
  • Lamp (2003) Director of Photography
  • Lamp (2003) Director
  • Heart of the Festival (2002) as Self (archive footage)
  • Mysteries of Love (2002) as Self (archive footage)
  • I Don't Know Jack (2002) as Self
  • I Don't Know Jack (2002) Presenter
  • Darkened Room (2002) Writer
  • Darkened Room (2002) Director
  • Darkened Room (2002) Cinematography
  • Darkened Room (2002) Producer
  • Darkened Room (2002) Editor
  • Rabbits (2002) Director
  • Rabbits (2002) Writer
  • Rabbits (2002) Creator
  • Pierre and Sonny Jim (2002) Director
  • Rabbits (2002) Screenplay
  • Rabbits (2002) Director
  • The Short Films of David Lynch (2002) as Self
  • The Short Films of David Lynch (2002) Director
  • The Short Films of David Lynch (2002) Writer
  • The Short Films of David Lynch (2002) Producer
  • The Short Films of David Lynch (2002) Sound Director
  • Industrial Soundscape (2002) Director
  • Out Yonder — Neighbor Boy (2002)
  • Out Yonder — Neighbor Boy (2002) Director
  • The Pig Walks (2002) Writer
  • The Pig Walks (2002) Cinematography
  • The Pig Walks (2002) Producer
  • The Pig Walks (2002) Editor
  • The Pig Walks (2002) Director
  • Dead Mouse with Ants (2002) Cinematography
  • Dead Mouse with Ants (2002) Writer
  • Dead Mouse with Ants (2002) Producer
  • Dead Mouse with Ants (2002) Director
  • Steps (2002) Director
  • BlueBob Egg (2002) as Billy Groper
  • BlueBob Egg (2002) Writer
  • BlueBob Egg (2002) Director
  • BlueBob Egg (2002) Producer
  • BlueBob Egg (2002) Cinematography
  • The Disc of Sorrow Is Installed (2002)
  • The Disc of Sorrow Is Installed (2002) Producer
  • The Disc of Sorrow Is Installed (2002) Writer
  • The Disc of Sorrow Is Installed (2002) Director
  • Coyote #1 (2002) Producer
  • Coyote #1 (2002) Cinematography
  • Coyote #1 (2002) Editor
  • Coyote #1 (2002) Director
  • Coyote #1 (2002) Writer
  • Mulholland Drive (2001) Director
  • Mulholland Drive (2001) Writer
  • Mulholland Drive (2001) Sound Designer
  • Mulholland Drive (2001) Sound Re-Recording Mixer
  • DumbLand (2001) as Randy / Wife / Sparky (voice)
  • DumbLand (2001) Writer
  • DumbLand (2001) Producer
  • DumbLand (2001) Editor
  • DumbLand (2001) Director of Photography
  • DumbLand (2001) Animation
  • DumbLand (2001) Director
  • DumbLand (2001) Creator
  • Eraserhead Stories (2001) as Self
  • Eraserhead Stories (2001) Director
  • Dino De Laurentiis: The Last Movie Mogul (2001) as Self
  • Head with Hammer (2001) Writer
  • Head with Hammer (2001) Editor
  • Head with Hammer (2001) Producer
  • Head with Hammer (2001) Director
  • Factory Mask (2001) Writer
  • Factory Mask (2001) Producer
  • Factory Mask (2001) Cinematography
  • Factory Mask (2001) Director
  • Sunset #1 (2001) Director
  • One Morning All Over the World (2000) Director
  • Family Guy (1999) as Gus (voice)
  • Family Guy (1999) as David Lynch (voice)
  • The Straight Story (1999) Director
  • The Straight Story (1999) Sound Designer
  • In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story (1999) as Self
  • Independent Focus (1998) as Self
  • The A-Z of Separating People from their Money (1998) as Self
  • Lost Highway (1997) Sound Designer
  • Lost Highway (1997) Sound Re-Recording Mixer
  • Lost Highway (1997) Director
  • Lost Highway (1997) Writer
  • Scene by Scene (1997) as Self
  • Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch (1997) as Self
  • Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch (1997) Music
  • Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch (1997) Still Photographer
  • The Fine Art of Separating People from Their Money (1996) as Self
  • Nadja (1995) as Morgue Receptionist
  • Nadja (1995) Executive Producer
  • Lumière & Company (1995) as Self
  • Lumière & Company (1995) Director
  • Premonitions Following an Evil Deed (1995) Director
  • Don Van Vliet: Some YoYo Stuff (1994) as Himself
  • Michael Jackson: Dangerous - The Short Films (1993) Director
  • Hotel Room (1993) Sound Designer
  • Hotel Room (1993) Executive Producer
  • Hotel Room (1993) Director
  • Hotel Room (1993) Creator
  • Made in the USA (1993) as Self
  • The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992) as Self
  • Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) as Gordon Cole
  • Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) Director
  • Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) Writer
  • Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) Original Series Creator
  • Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) Sound Designer
  • Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) Executive Producer
  • Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) Sound Re-Recording Mixer
  • Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) Characters
  • On the Air (1992) Writer
  • On the Air (1992) Director
  • On the Air (1992) Executive Producer
  • On the Air (1992) Creator
  • Twin Peaks: Visual Soundtrack (1992) Music Producer
  • Twin Peaks: Visual Soundtrack (1992) Creator
  • Twin Peaks: Visual Soundtrack (1992) Lyricist
  • The King of Ads (1991) Director
  • The Cabinet of Dr. Ramirez (1991) Executive Producer
  • Crazy About the Movies: Dennis Hopper (1991) as Self
  • Twin Peaks (1990) as Gordon Cole
  • Twin Peaks (1990) Director
  • Twin Peaks (1990) Writer
  • Twin Peaks (1990) Executive Producer
  • Twin Peaks (1990) Story
  • Twin Peaks (1990) Additional Editor
  • Twin Peaks (1990) Sound Designer
  • Twin Peaks (1990) Creator
  • Wild at Heart (1990) Director
  • Wild at Heart (1990) Screenplay
  • American Chronicles (1990) Producer
  • Hollywood Mavericks (1990) as Self
  • Industrial Symphony No. 1: The Dream of the Brokenhearted (1990) Director
  • Industrial Symphony No. 1: The Dream of the Brokenhearted (1990) Producer
  • Industrial Symphony No. 1: The Dream of the Brokenhearted (1990) Music
  • Jonathan Ross Presents for One Week Only: David Lynch (1990) as Self
  • Twin Peaks (1989) Director
  • Twin Peaks (1989) Writer
  • Twin Peaks (1989) Executive Producer
  • Cinéma, de notre temps (1989) as David Lynch
  • David Lynch: Don't Look at Me (1989) as Self
  • The French as Seen by… (1988) Director
  • Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night (1988) as Self - Audience Member
  • No Frank in Lumberton (1988) as Self
  • No Frank in Lumberton (1988) Music
  • The Cowboy and the Frenchman (1988) Director
  • The Cowboy and the Frenchman (1988) Writer
  • Zelly & Me (1988) as Willie
  • Ruth, Roses, and Revolver (1987) as Himself
  • Blue Velvet (1986) Director