David Lynch Vows to ‘Never Retire’ Despite Emphysema Diagnosis

David Lynch, the acclaimed filmmaker behind “Mulholland Drive” and “Dune,” recently revealed that he is contending with emphysema. At 78 years old, Lynch shared candidly about his health condition in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Yes, I have emphysema from my many years of smoking,” he wrote. “I have to say that I enjoyed smoking very much, and I do love tobacco – the smell of it, lighting cigarettes on fire, smoking them – but there is a price to pay for this enjoyment, and the price for me is emphysema. I have now quit smoking for over two years. Recently I had many tests and the good news is that I am in excellent shape except for emphysema. I am filled with happiness, and I will never retire. I want you all to know that I really appreciate your concern. Love, David.”

Lynch’s revelation comes after a recent interview with Sight & Sound magazine, during which he discussed the challenges he faces in venturing out of his home. “I’ve gotten emphysema from smoking for so long and so I’m homebound whether I like it or not. It would be very bad for me to get sick, even with a cold,” he said, according to Deadline. Lynch also mentioned that he “can only walk a short distance before” he’s “out of oxygen.”

The four-time Oscar nominee reflected on future directing projects, stating, “I would do it remotely if it comes to it… I wouldn’t like that so much.”

According to the American Lung Association, emphysema is a lung disease that leads to shortness of breath and hampers the movement of oxygen through the bloodstream.

Lynch’s last film was 2006’s “Inland Empire,” starring Laura Dern and Justin Theroux. The film received the Future Film Festival Digital Award at the Venice Film Festival and was honored as Best Experimental Film by the National Society of Film Critics.

In 2018, his revival of “Twin Peaks” earned four Primetime Emmy nominations. The following year, the “Elephant Man” director was awarded an honorary Oscar at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 11th Annual Governors Awards.

In his interview with Sight & Sound, Lynch disclosed that Netflix recently passed on “Snootworld,” his long-gestating animated project with “The Nightmare Before Christmas” writer Caroline Thompson. “Old-fashioned fairy tales are considered groaners: apparently, people don’t want to see them. It’s a different world now, and it’s easier to say no than to say yes,” he observed.

Despite this setback, Lynch remains optimistic about the future of his 2010 screenplay, “Antelope Don’t Run No More.” He stated, “We don’t know what the future will bring.”

David Lynch’s creative journey and unwavering spirit continue to inspire his fans, even as he grapples with health challenges. His enduring dedication to his craft and his refusal to retire are testaments to his passion and resilience.

Source: Sight & Sound, Deadline, American Lung Association