No, David Lynch Is Not Retiring Due to Emphysema
In sickness or in health, David Lynch will never stop directing. After rumors swirled that the iconic Twin Peaks director was retiring from filmmaking after being diagnosed with emphysema, Lynch set the record straight on social media—informing his fans that while he has been battling emphysema, he’s not retiring.
The rumors regarding Lynch’s retirement began after a portion of an interview he did for the September issue of Sight and Sound, the magazine associated with the British Film Institute, began going viral. In the interview, Lynch revealed that after many years of smoking, he was diagnosed with emphysema. “I’ve gotten emphysema from smoking for so long, and so I’m homebound whether I like it or not,” Lynch said. “And now, because of COVID, it would be very bad for me to get sick, even with a cold.”
Worried fans interpreted Lynch’s statement as signaling the end of his storied career, which has included helming classic films like Blue Velvet, The Elephant Man, and Mulholland Drive—all three of which earned him Oscar nominations for best director. “David Lynch Says He Can No Longer Direct in-Person Due to Health Issues,” read a headline from IGN.
It turns out that there was no reason to fret, though. In a post on X, Lynch assured fans that although he has been struggling with emphysema, he has no plans to put down the camera just yet. “Ladies and Gentlemen, Yes, I have emphysema from my many years of smoking,” wrote Lynch. “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.”
Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that reduces the body’s ability to take in oxygen from the air. According to the American Lung Association, more than 3 million people are living with the condition in the US. Lynch went on to reveal that he has quit smoking for more than two years and “is in excellent shape except for emphysema.”
Fortunately, Lynch made it very clear that the cameras will never stop rolling. “I am filled with happiness, and I will never retire,” he stated plainly. Ever the gentleman, Lynch ended his message with a note of thanks to his fans. “I want you all to know that I really appreciate your concern. Love, David.”
