Twin Peaks director David Lynch says he ‘can hardly walk across a room’ as he battles emphysema.
The filmmaker, 78, now needs supplemental oxygen for most activities as he said: ‘It’s like you’re walking around with a plastic bag around your head.’
Lynch started smoking aged eight but the consequences of the lifelong habit caught up with him in 2020 when he was diagnosed with the debilitating lung disease.
It would be another two years until he quit smoking with the help of meditation when he realised he was ‘going to die in a week’ if he didn’t stop.
Despite not having any regrets, Lynch hopes his devastating health update will encourage other smokers to quit.
He told People magazine this week: ‘Think about it. You can quit these things that are going to end up killing you.’
Lynch admitted there had been a ‘big price to pay’ for his lifelong habit but said he didn’t regret it.
By the time he gave up cigarettes the father-of-four could ‘hardly move without gasping for air’.
Twin Peaks director David Lynch says he ‘can hardly walk across a room’ as he battles emphysema
Lynch attends the AFI Conservatory’s 50th Anniversary Celebration at Greystone Mansion on September 19, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California
‘Quitting was my only choice,’ he said.
The director of Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks spoke candidly about his disease in August saying he was now homebound ‘whether I like it or not’.
Writing on X he said: ‘Yes, I have emphysema from my many years of smoking. 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.’
In an interview with Sight & Sound in August, Lynch said: ‘Smoking was something that I absolutely loved, but in the end, it bit me.
Though his disease has prevented him from working on projects in person, he is not completely ruling out the possibility of directing in the future.
He said: ‘I like to be amongst the things and get ideas there. But I would try to do it remotely, if it comes to it.’
Lynch was referencing his animated project – called Snootworld – which was pitched and ultimately passed on by Netflix.
His most recent major project before his health issues was the revival of his series Twin Peaks for Showtime in 2017.
Lynch’s other signature projects included Eraserhead (1977), The Elephant Man (1980), Blue Velvet (1986; pictured), and Mulholland Drive (2001), and Inland Empire (2006)
Lynch posted on X in August to reveal he had emphysema after ‘many years of smoking’. But he said he was in ‘excellent shape despite the disease’
Lynch smokes a cigarette as he arrives for the official screening of his film “The Straight Story” at the 52nd Cannes Film Festival in May 1999
The original series had ran from 1990 to 1991 as it followed the investigation into the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer (played by Sheryl Lee) as it took place in the fictional town of Twin Peaks, Washington.
When it first aired in the early 1990s the series had developed a cult following after its run on ABC which later resulted in the 1992 prequel feature film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk.
Over two decades Lynch’s signature franchise made a comeback with Twin Peaks: The Return.
Kyle MacLachlan, Sherilyn Fenn, Mädchen Amick, Lee and David Duchovny – who starred in the original – returned for the revival.
Other stars were also added into the mix including Laura Dern, Amanda Seyfried, Jessica Szohr, Michael Cera, Richard Chamberlain, and Trent Reznor.
Lynch’s other signature projects included Eraserhead (1977), The Elephant Man (1980), Blue Velvet (1986), and Mulholland Drive (2001), and Inland Empire (2006).