About

Known credits:
359
Birthday:
1946-01-20
Place of birth:
Missoula, Montana, USA
Website:
Click here

David Lynch

Overview

David Keith Lynch (born January 20, 1946) is an American filmmaker, painter, visual artist, musician, actor, and writer. Known for his surrealist films, he has developed his own unique cinematic style, which has been dubbed "Lynchian", and which is characterized by its dream imagery and meticulous sound design. Indeed, the surreal and in many cases violent elements to his films have earned them the reputation that they "disturb, offend or mystify" their audiences.

Moving around various parts of the United States as a child within his middle class family, Lynch went on to study painting in Philadelphia, where he first made the transition to producing short films. Deciding to devote himself more fully to this medium, he moved to Los Angeles, where he produced his first motion picture, the surrealist horror Eraserhead (1977). After Eraserhead became a cult classic on the midnight movie circuit, Lynch was employed to direct The Elephant Man (1980), from which he gained mainstream success. Then being employed by the De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, he proceeded to make two films. First, the science-fiction epic Dune (1984), which proved to be a critical and commercial failure, and then a neo-noir crime film, Blue Velvet (1986), which was highly critically acclaimed.

Proceeding to create his own television series with Mark Frost, the highly popular murder mystery Twin Peaks (1990–1992), he also created a cinematic prequel, Fire Walk With Me (1992), a road movie, Wild at Heart (1990), and a family film, The Straight Story (1999) in the same period. Turning further towards surrealist filmmaking, three of his following films worked on "dream logic" non-linear narrative structures, Lost Highway (1997), Mulholland Drive (2001) and Inland Empire (2006).

Lynch has received three Academy Award nominations for Best Director, for his films The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, and also received a screenplay Academy Award nomination for The Elephant Man. Lynch has twice won France's César Award for Best Foreign Film, as well as the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and a Golden Lion award for lifetime achievement at the Venice Film Festival. The French government awarded him the Legion of Honor, the country's top civilian honor, as a Chevalier in 2002 and then an Officier in 2007, while that same year, The Guardian described Lynch as "the most important director of this era". Allmovie called him "the Renaissance man of modern American filmmaking", whilst the success of his films have led to him being labelled "the first popular Surrealist".

Known for

Acting
2023 Lynch/Oz Actor Self (archive footage) 59
Average
2022 The Fabelmans Actor John Ford 73
Good
2021 Moby Doc Actor Self 59
Average
2021 Welcome Home: Mary Reber and the Twin Peaks Palmer House Actor N/A
N/A
2020 Meeting the Beatles in India Actor Self 59
Average
2019 Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound Actor Self 60
Fair
2019 L'Image Originelle - David Lynch Actor N/A
N/A
2018 Curtains Up Actor N/A
N/A
2017 Bad Binoculars Actor Self 59
Average
2017 A Bloody Finger in Your Mouth Actor Self 59
Average
2017 I Had Bad Milk in Dehradun Actor Self 59
Average
2017 The Man with the Gray Elevated Hair Actor Self 59
Average
2017 Do Not Pick Up Hitchhikers Actor Self 59
Average
2017 The Polish Accountant Actor Self 59
Average
2017 Twin Peaks: The Phenomenon Actor Self N/A
N/A
2017 A Very Lovely Dream: One Week in Twin Peaks Actor Self 59
Average
2017 Two Blue Balls Actor Self N/A
N/A
2017 Tell It Martin Actor Self 59
Average
2017 See You on the Other Side Dear Friend Actor Self N/A
N/A
2017 The Number of Completion Actor Self 59
Average
2017 Behind the Red Curtain Actor Self 59
Average
2017 A Pot of Boiling Oil Actor Self 59
Average
2017 WHAT DID JACK DO? Actor Detective 61
Fair
2017 Plankton Salesmen Actor Self (archive footage) N/A
N/A
2017 Lucky Actor Howard 66
Fair
2017 Behind the Scenes Actor Self 60
Fair
2017 The Black Ghiandola Actor Man In Black 59
Average
2017 David Lynch: The Art Life Actor Self 61
Fair
2017 Girlfriend's Day Actor Narrator (voice) 56
Average
2017 Rocksteppy Actor Himself 59
Average
2016 Along for the Ride Actor Self 59
Average
2016 Shadows of Paradise Actor 59
Average
2016 Blue Velvet Revisited Actor Self 59
Average
2016 On Meditation Actor Self 59
Average
2016 The Reality of Truth Actor Self 58
Average
2016 Night Flight: Born Again Actor Self N/A
N/A
2016 The Music of David Lynch Actor Self 59
Average
2016 This Is Sparklehorse Actor Self 59
Average
2015 Rammstein in Amerika Actor Self 60
Fair
2015 Brand: A Second Coming Actor Self 59
Average
2014 My Beautiful Broken Brain Actor Self 60
Fair
2014 Between Two Worlds Actor Self 59
Average
2014 Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces Actor Gordon Cole 63
Fair
2014 The 8th Floor Actor Self N/A
N/A
2014 It's a Beautiful World Actor Self 59
Average
2014 Ringo Starr: A Lifetime of Peace and Love Actor Self 59
Average
2013 Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction Actor Self 59
Average
2013 What Is Cinema? Actor Self 59
Average
2013 Mel Brooks: Make a Noise Actor Self 59
Average
2013 Professor Goudet's Lessons Actor Self N/A
N/A
2012 Memory Film Actor 59
Average
2012 Meditation Creativity Peace Actor Self 59
Average
2012 Side by Side Actor Self 63
Fair
2011 Ångesthunden och Malmö under vatten Actor Himself N/A
N/A
2010 2012: Time for Change Actor Self 59
Average
2010 Brunes et Blondes Actor Self N/A
N/A
2010 David Wants to Fly Actor 59
Average
2010 When Lynch Met Lucas Actor 59
Average
2009 Peixe Vermelho Actor O Sábio 59
Average
2009 The Way of Samodelkin Actor Stranger in a dream N/A
N/A
2009 Great Directors Actor Self 59
Average
2009 La Traversée du désir Actor Self 59
Average
2008 Twin Peaks Festival Greeting 2008 Actor Self 59
Average
2008 Early Experiments Actor 59
Average
2008 Hollyshorts Greeting Actor Himself 59
Average
2008 Elvis | Viva Las Vegas Actor Self 59
Average
2008 Crítico Actor Self (voice) 59
Average
2007 A Slice of Lynch Actor Self 59
Average
2007 Lynch (one) Actor Self 59
Average
2007 Out Yonder — Neighbor Boy Actor 59
Average
2007 Lynch 2 Actor Self N/A
N/A
2007 David Lynch Cooks Quinoa Actor Self 60
Fair
2007 Dynamic:01: The Best of DavidLynch.com Actor himself 59
Average
2007 Boat Actor 58
Average
2007 Donovan: The Donovan Concert - Live in L.A. Actor Himself N/A
N/A
2007 Out Yonder — Chicken Actor 59
Average
2007 Out Yonder — Teeth Actor 59
Average
2007 Le son de Lynch Actor 59
Average
2006 Inland Empire Actor Bucky J 66
Fair
2006 Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream Actor Himself 59
Average
2006 Edge of Outside Actor Self (archive footage) 59
Average
2005 David Lynch: 1985 Actor Self N/A
N/A
2004 BlueBob Egg Actor Billy Groper 58
Average
2004 Dennis Hopper: The Decisive Moments Actor Self 59
Average
2004 The Making of ‘Mulholland Drive’ Actor Self 59
Average
2003 Does That Hurt You? Actor Self 59
Average
2003 Lamp Actor Self 59
Average
2003 Dennis Hopper: Create (or Die) Actor Self 59
Average
2002 Mysteries of Love Actor Self (archive footage) 59
Average
2002 The Short Films of David Lynch Actor Self 60
Fair
2002 I Don't Know Jack Actor Self 59
Average
2002 The Disc of Sorrow Is Installed Actor 59
Average
2002 DumbLand Actor Randy / Wife / Sparky (voice) 66
Fair
2001 Eraserhead Stories Actor Self 59
Average
2001 Dino De Laurentiis: The Last Movie Mogul Actor Self 59
Average
1999 BlueBOB: Thank You, Judge Actor Billy Groper N/A
N/A
1999 In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story Actor Self 59
Average
1998 The A-Z of Separating People from their Money Actor Self N/A
N/A
1997 Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch Actor Self 59
Average
1996 The Fine Art of Separating People from Their Money Actor Self 59
Average
1994 Nadja Actor Morgue Receptionist 58
Average
1994 Don Van Vliet: Some YoYo Stuff Actor Himself 59
Average
1993 Made in the USA Actor Self N/A
N/A
1992 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Actor Chief Gordon Cole 70
Good
1991 Crazy About the Movies: Dennis Hopper Actor Self N/A
N/A
1990 Jonathan Ross Presents for One Week Only: David Lynch Actor Self 59
Average
1990 Hollywood Mavericks Actor Self 59
Average
1989 David Lynch: Don't Look at Me Actor Self 59
Average
1988 Zelly & Me Actor Willie 58
Average
1988 No Frank in Lumberton Actor Self 59
Average
1988 Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night Actor Self - Audience Member 59
Average
1987 Surrealist Cinema presented by David Lynch Actor himself N/A
N/A
1987 Ruth, Roses, and Revolver Actor Himself N/A
N/A
1984 Dune Actor Spice Miner (uncredited) 61
Fair
1984 Destination Dune Actor Self 59
Average
1980 The Elephant Man Actor Man in the Bowler Hat in the Mob Chasing Merrick (uncredited) 77
Good
1980 Heart Beat Actor Painter 58
Average
1974 The Amputee Actor Nurse 57
Average
1967 Sailing with Bushnell Keeler Actor 59
Average
A Fall from Grace Actor William Tabb N/A
N/A
I Know Catherine, The Log Lady Actor Self N/A
N/A
Ariana Delawari: Lion of Panjshir Actor 60
Fair
David Lynch: The Idea Dictates Everything Actor Himself N/A
N/A
The Soul Detective Actor Himself N/A
N/A
The David Lynch of Photography Actor N/A
N/A
A Fall from Grace Actor William Tabb N/A
N/A
A Fall from Grace Actor William Tabb N/A
N/A

Directing
2024 Secret David Lynch Project Directing Director N/A
N/A
2018 Fire Directing Director 59
Average
2018 Ant Head Directing Director 58
Average
2017 WHAT DID JACK DO? Directing Director 61
Fair
2014 Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces Directing Director 63
Fair
2014 Duran Duran: Unstaged Directing Director 59
Average
2013 Came Back Haunted Directing Director 61
Fair
2013 Idem Paris Directing Director 58
Average
2012 Memory Film Directing Director 59
Average
2012 Meditation Creativity Peace Directing Director 59
Average
2012 Crazy Clown Time Directing Director 61
Fair
2012 20 Little Films Directing Director N/A
N/A
2011 Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage Directing Director 59
Average
2011 The 3 Rs Directing Director N/A
N/A
2011 I Touch a Red Button Man Directing Director 59
Average
2010 42 One Dream Rush Directing Director 59
Average
2010 42 One Dream Rush Directing Director N/A
N/A
2010 The Mystery of the Seeing Hand (Dream #7) Directing Director N/A
N/A
2008 Twin Peaks Festival Greeting 2008 Directing Director 59
Average
2008 Hollyshorts Greeting Directing Director 59
Average
2008 Early Experiments Directing Director 59
Average
2007 Ballerina Directing Director 59
Average
2007 To Each His Own Cinema Directing Director 60
Fair
2007 Out Yonder — Neighbor Boy Directing Director 59
Average
2007 Blue Green Directing Director 59
Average
2007 David Lynch Cooks Quinoa Directing Director 60
Fair
2007 More Things That Happened Directing Director 59
Average
2007 Absurda Directing Director 61
Fair
2007 Absurda Directing Director N/A
N/A
2007 Boat Directing Director 58
Average
2007 Dynamic:01: The Best of DavidLynch.com Directing Director 59
Average
2007 Bug Crawls Directing Director 59
Average
2007 Industrial Soundscape Directing Director 59
Average
2007 Out Yonder — Teeth Directing Director 59
Average
2007 Out Yonder — Chicken Directing Director 59
Average
2007 Steps Directing Director 59
Average
2006 Inland Empire Directing Director 66
Fair
2004 BlueBob Egg Directing Director 58
Average
2004 Intervalometer Experiments Directing Director 59
Average
2003 Lamp Directing Director 59
Average
2002 Rabbits Directing Director 61
Fair
2002 The Short Films of David Lynch Directing Director 60
Fair
2002 The Pig Walks Directing Director 58
Average
2002 Darkened Room Directing Director 58
Average
2002 Dead Mouse with Ants Directing Director 59
Average
2002 Laura Palmer Directing Director N/A
N/A
2002 Factory Mask Directing Director 58
Average
2002 Coyote Directing Director 59
Average
2002 The Disc of Sorrow Is Installed Directing Director 59
Average
2001 Head with Hammer Directing Director 58
Average
2001 Eraserhead Stories Directing Director 59
Average
2001 Pierre and Sonny Jim Directing Director 58
Average
2001 Mulholland Drive Directing Director 76
Good
2001 Ball of Bees #1 Directing Director N/A
N/A
2000 PlayStation 2: The Third Place Directing Director 60
Fair
2000 One Morning All Over the World Directing Director 59
Average
1999 BlueBOB: Thank You, Judge Directing Director N/A
N/A
1999 The Straight Story Directing Director 72
Good
1999 Mulholland Dr. Directing Director 68
Fair
1998 Sunset Directing Director 59
Average
1997 Lost Highway Directing Director 72
Good
1995 Premonitions Following an Evil Deed Directing Director 61
Fair
1995 Lumière and Company Directing Director 59
Average
1995 Premonitions Following an Evil Deed Directing Director 59
Average
1993 Dangerous: The Short Films Directing Director 60
Fair
1993 Georgia Coffee: Twin Peaks Directing Director N/A
N/A
1992 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Directing Director 70
Good
1991 The King of Ads Directing Director 59
Average
1990 Industrial Symphony No. 1: The Dream of the Brokenhearted Directing Director 59
Average
1990 Wild at Heart Directing Director 67
Fair
1989 Twin Peaks Directing Director 72
Good
1988 The Cowboy and the Frenchman Directing Director 59
Average
1988 The French as Seen by… Directing Director 59
Average
1986 Blue Velvet Directing Director 73
Good
1984 Dune Directing Director 61
Fair
1980 The Elephant Man Directing Director 77
Good
1977 Eraserhead Directing Director 71
Good
1974 The Amputee Directing Director 57
Average
1970 The Grandmother Directing Director 60
Fair
1969 The Alphabet Directing Director 60
Fair
1967 Absurd Encounter with Fear Directing Director 58
Average
1967 Sailing with Bushnell Keeler Directing Director 59
Average
1967 Fictitious Anacin Commercial Directing Director 59
Average
1967 Six Men Getting Sick Directing Director 58
Average
1967 Fictitious Anacin Commercial Directing Director 59
Average
Thought Gang: A Real Indication Directing Director 60
Fair
Ariana Delawari: Lion of Panjshir Directing Director 60
Fair
Unrecorded Night Directing Director N/A
N/A

Writing
2024 Secret David Lynch Project Writing Writer N/A
N/A
2018 Fire Writing Writer 59
Average
2018 Ant Head Writing Writer 58
Average
2017 WHAT DID JACK DO? Writing Writer 61
Fair
2014 Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces Writing Writer 63
Fair
2014 Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces Writing Characters 63
Fair
2012 Meditation Creativity Peace Writing Writer 59
Average
2011 Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage Writing Writer 59
Average
2008 Early Experiments Writing Writer 59
Average
2007 More Things That Happened Writing Writer 59
Average
2007 David Lynch Cooks Quinoa Writing Writer 60
Fair
2007 Absurda Writing Writer 61
Fair
2007 Boat Writing Writer 58
Average
2006 Inland Empire Writing Screenplay 66
Fair
2004 BlueBob Egg Writing Writer 58
Average
2003 Does That Hurt You? Writing Writer 59
Average
2002 Rabbits Writing Screenplay 61
Fair
2002 The Short Films of David Lynch Writing Screenplay 60
Fair
2002 The Pig Walks Writing Writer 58
Average
2002 The Short Films of David Lynch Writing Writer 60
Fair
2002 Darkened Room Writing Writer 58
Average
2002 Coyote Writing Writer 59
Average
2002 The Disc of Sorrow Is Installed Writing Writer 59
Average
2002 DumbLand Writing Writer 66
Fair
2001 Mulholland Drive Writing Writer 76
Good
2000 PlayStation 2: The Third Place Writing Writer 60
Fair
1999 Mulholland Dr. Writing Writer 68
Fair
1997 Lost Highway Writing Writer 72
Good
1992 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Writing Original Series Creator 70
Good
1992 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Writing Characters 70
Good
1992 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Writing Writer 70
Good
1990 Wild at Heart Writing Screenplay 67
Fair
1989 Twin Peaks Writing Writer 72
Good
1988 The Cowboy and the Frenchman Writing Writer 59
Average
1986 Blue Velvet Writing Screenplay 73
Good
1984 Dune Writing Screenplay 61
Fair
1980 The Elephant Man Writing Screenplay 77
Good
1977 Eraserhead Writing Screenplay 71
Good
1974 The Amputee Writing Writer 57
Average
1970 The Grandmother Writing Screenplay 60
Fair
1970 The Grandmother Writing Writer 60
Fair
1969 The Alphabet Writing Writer 60
Fair
1967 Fictitious Anacin Commercial Writing Writer 59
Average
Snootworld Writing Writer N/A
N/A
Unrecorded Night Writing Writer N/A
N/A

Production
2024 Secret David Lynch Project Production Producer N/A
N/A
2023 The Other Me Production Executive Producer 58
Average
2019 A Talk with Kyle MacLachlan and Sheryl Lee Production Executive Producer N/A
N/A
2018 Ant Head Production Producer 58
Average
2014 My Beautiful Broken Brain Production Executive Producer 60
Fair
2011 I Touch a Red Button Man Production Producer 59
Average
2010 My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done Production Executive Producer 59
Average
2008 Early Experiments Production Producer 59
Average
2008 Surveillance Production Executive Producer 59
Average
2007 David Lynch Cooks Quinoa Production Producer 60
Fair
2007 Dynamic:01: The Best of DavidLynch.com Production Executive Producer 59
Average
2006 Inland Empire Production Producer 66
Fair
2003 Lamp Production Producer 59
Average
2002 The Pig Walks Production Producer 58
Average
2002 Darkened Room Production Producer 58
Average
2002 The Disc of Sorrow Is Installed Production Producer 59
Average
2002 DumbLand Production Producer 66
Fair
1999 Mulholland Dr. Production Executive Producer 68
Fair
1994 Nadja Production Executive Producer 58
Average
1994 Crumb Production Producer 64
Fair
1993 Hotel Room Production Executive Producer 67
Fair
1992 On the Air Production Executive Producer 68
Fair
1992 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Production Executive Producer 70
Good
1991 The Cabinet of Dr. Ramirez Production Executive Producer 58
Average
1990 Industrial Symphony No. 1: The Dream of the Brokenhearted Production Producer 59
Average
1990 Twin Peaks Production Executive Producer 82
Very good
1989 Twin Peaks Production Executive Producer 72
Good
1989 Invitation to Love Production Executive Producer N/A
N/A
1977 Eraserhead Production Producer 71
Good
1974 The Amputee Production Producer 57
Average
1970 The Grandmother Production Producer 60
Fair
1967 Six Men Getting Sick Production Producer 58
Average
A Fall from Grace Production Executive Producer N/A
N/A
A Fall from Grace Production Executive Producer N/A
N/A
Snootworld Production Producer N/A
N/A
The Happy Worker Production Executive Producer N/A
N/A

Sound
2018 Ant Head Sound Music 58
Average
2018 Ant Head Sound Sound 58
Average
2017 WHAT DID JACK DO? Sound Music 61
Fair
2017 WHAT DID JACK DO? Sound Sound Designer 61
Fair
2017 WHAT DID JACK DO? Sound Sound Mixer 61
Fair
2006 Inland Empire Sound Sound Re-Recording Mixer 66
Fair
2006 Inland Empire Sound Sound Designer 66
Fair
2003 Does That Hurt You? Sound Sound 59
Average
2001 Mulholland Drive Sound Sound Re-Recording Mixer 76
Good
2001 Mulholland Drive Sound Sound Designer 76
Good
1999 BlueBOB: Thank You, Judge Sound Music N/A
N/A
1999 The Straight Story Sound Sound Designer 72
Good
1997 Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch Sound Music 59
Average
1997 Lost Highway Sound Sound Re-Recording Mixer 72
Good
1997 Lost Highway Sound Sound Designer 72
Good
1993 Hotel Room Sound Sound Designer 67
Fair
1992 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Sound Sound Re-Recording Mixer 70
Good
1992 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Sound Sound Designer 70
Good
1990 Industrial Symphony No. 1: The Dream of the Brokenhearted Sound Music 59
Average
1990 Twin Peaks Sound Sound Designer 82
Very good
1988 No Frank in Lumberton Sound Music 59
Average
1980 The Elephant Man Sound Sound Designer 77
Good
1977 Eraserhead Sound Original Music Composer 71
Good
1977 Eraserhead Sound Sound Effects 71
Good
1969 The Alphabet Sound Sound 60
Fair

Art
2018 Fire Art Art Designer 59
Average
2017 WHAT DID JACK DO? Art Set Designer 61
Fair
2017 WHAT DID JACK DO? Art Set Decoration 61
Fair
1977 Eraserhead Art Art Direction 71
Good
1977 Eraserhead Art Production Design 71
Good

Camera
2008 Early Experiments Camera Director of Photography 59
Average
2007 More Things That Happened Camera Director of Photography 59
Average
2006 Inland Empire Camera Camera Operator 66
Fair
2006 Inland Empire Camera Director of Photography 66
Fair
2003 Lamp Camera Director of Photography 59
Average
1970 The Grandmother Camera Camera Operator 60
Fair
1969 The Alphabet Camera Director of Photography 60
Fair
1967 Sailing with Bushnell Keeler Camera Camera Operator 59
Average

Crew
2023 Tríptico Crew Thanks 59
Average
2020 Faraway Eyes Crew Thanks 58
Average
2018 Ant Head Crew Cinematography 58
Average
2016 Kitsune Crew Thanks 59
Average
2016 Psychogenic Fugue Crew Creative Consultant 59
Average
2005 What Is It? Crew Thanks 58
Average
2003 Cabin Fever Crew Thanks 57
Average
2002 The Pig Walks Crew Cinematography 58
Average
2002 Darkened Room Crew Cinematography 58
Average
2002 I Don't Know Jack Crew Presenter 59
Average
1977 Eraserhead Crew Special Effects 71
Good
1970 The Grandmother Crew Script 60
Fair

Editing
2018 Ant Head Editing Editor 58
Average
2017 WHAT DID JACK DO? Editing Editor 61
Fair
2014 Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces Editing Editor 63
Fair
2008 Early Experiments Editing Editor 59
Average
2007 More Things That Happened Editing Editor 59
Average
2006 Inland Empire Editing Editor 66
Fair
2002 The Pig Walks Editing Editor 58
Average
2002 Coyote Editing Editor 59
Average
1990 Twin Peaks Editing Additional Editor 82
Very good
1977 Eraserhead Editing Editor 71
Good

Visual Effects
1970 The Grandmother Visual Effects Animation 60
Fair
1969 The Alphabet Visual Effects Animation 60
Fair
The Classroom Visual Effects Animation N/A
N/A