Director David Lynch has revealed that he has emphysema but, despite the difficulties posed by the lung disease, he has no plans to retire. Lynch, renowned for films like “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive,” as well as the TV series “Twin Peaks,” disclosed his diagnosis in an interview with the U.K.’s Sight & Sound Magazine. He attributed the condition to “smoking for so long” and mentioned that he is “homebound whether I like it or not. I can’t go out. And I can only walk a short distance before I’m out of oxygen.”
“Smoking was something that I absolutely loved, but in the end, it bit me,” he continued. “It was part of the art life for me: the tobacco and the smell of it, and lighting things and smoking and going back and sitting back and having a smoke and looking at your work, or thinking about things; nothing like it in this world is so beautiful. Meanwhile, it’s killing me.”
Regarding the possibility of directing another film, the 78-year-old appeared cautiously optimistic, telling the outlet: “I like to be amongst the things and get ideas there. But I would try to do it remotely, if it comes to it.”
On Monday, Lynch addressed some of his comments with a brief note on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“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.”
Lynch also mentioned that he stopped smoking over two years ago and is in “excellent shape except for emphysema.”
“I am filled with happiness, and I will never retire,” he continued. “I want you all to know that I really appreciate your concern.”
