David Lynch has died at the age of 78

Without revealing a cause of death, his family posted on the director's official Facebook page: "It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch. We would appreciate some privacy at this time. There's a big hole in the world now that he's no longer with us. But, as he would say, 'Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole'.

"It's a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way."

David is survived by his daughter Jennifer, 56, - who he had with his first wife Peggy Reavey - as well as Riley, 42, and Austin, 33, both of whom were a result of his marriage to Mary Fisk.

From 2006 until 2007, he was married to Mary Sweeney and he then tied the knot with Emily Stofle - with whom he has 12-year-old Lula - but they separated in December 2023.

In 2020, David was diagnosed with emphysema and noted in a post to X that he had "enjoyed smoking too much" in his earlier life.

Despite his diagnosis, it was another two years before David felt able to kick the habit.

In 2024, he told People: "I saw the writing on the wall. and it said, 'You're going to die in a week if you don't stop. I could hardly move without gasping for air. "Quitting was my only choice."

At the time, he noted that he had developed a "positive attitude" towards things even though it had become nearly impossible for him to walk across a room.

He said: "I have a positive attitude focused on the body healing itself. It's tough living with emphysema. I can hardly walk across a room. It's like you're walking around with a plastic bag around your head."

David made his directorial debut in 1977 with 'Eraserhead' before making 'The Elephant Man' in 1980.

Some of his other career highlights came in the form of 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me' in 1992, as well as 'Lost Highway' in 1997.

His final film was 'Inland Empire' in 2006, although he stepped behind the camera for the final time in 2017 to direct the Showtime series 'Twin Peaks: The Return'.