The director, who was 78, was known for films and TV shows like 'Blue Velvet,' 'Mulholland Drive' and 'Twin Peaks.'

Truly saddened to hear of the passing of David Lynch. Working with him was like a dream out of one of his movies, and I treasure the times I got to speak with him and hear first-hand his vision for a film.

David Lynch, the celebrated director of avant-garde films such as Eraserhead, Mulholland Drive and Elephant Man and the much loved TV show Twin Peaks, has died at the age of 78. His family announced his death in a Facebook post on Thursday (16 January),

Our columnist remembers his time with the late filmmaker, who famously loathed dissecting his work — but hung on to a Boy Scout ethos one couldn't help but love.

Pioneering filmmaker, writer, artist and musician Davis Lynch, who upended storytelling norms with Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet, Mullholland Drive and Eraserhead, had died at the age of 78, according to an announcement on his Facebook page.

This poignant drama, based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (renamed John in the film), stars John Hurt as a disfigured man navigating life in Victorian England with the help of a compassionate doctor (Anthony Hopkins). It was nominated for eight Academy Awards.