7:52 am today

Director David Lynch dies at age 78

7:52 am today
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: David Lynch speaks onstage during the In Conversation Panel for 'Another Day In The Life" with Ringo Starr, David Lynch and Henry Diltz at Saban Theatre on October 29, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California.   Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ABA /AFP (Photo by KEVIN WINTER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Photo: KEVIN WINTER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Iconic film and television director David Lynch has died.

His family announced his death in a Facebook post on Friday (NZT).

"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'."

He previously revealed he suffered from emphysema after many years of smoking.

He was 78.

Lynch, an auteur director known for surrealistic and idiosyncratic style has been a major presence in film and a fan favourite since his 1977 independent horror Eraserhead.

However, he was probably best known for his work on films Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive and television show Twin Peaks.

His 1980 filmThe Elephant Man was nominated for eight Oscars.

More to come...

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