David Lynch began smoking at the age of 8 and finally quit at 76. Following his emphysema diagnosis in 2020, he now requires supplemental oxygen for any physical activity beyond walking across a room.
Lynch revealed that he was unable to fully quit smoking until two years after his diagnosis. “I saw the writing on the wall, and it said, ‘You’re going to die in a week if you don’t stop,'” he said. “I could hardly move without gasping for air. Quitting was my only choice.”
“It’s tough living with emphysema,” Lynch added. “I can hardly walk across a room. It’s like you’re walking around with a plastic bag around your head.”
Director made it clear on X that he had no plans to retire. His tweet read:
“Ladies and Gentlemen; 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. Love, David”
David Lynch is best known for his 1977 black-and-white film ‘Eraserhead’. His success has been further validated by his iconic productions such as ‘Dune’, ‘Blue Velvet’, ‘Lost Highway’, and ‘Mulholland Drive’.
