Famous director David Lynch explained in a recent interview that he has emphysema, a lung disease that causes shortness of breath. He blames this on his love of smoking and tobacco. But despite rumors that he was retiring, Lynch says he has no plans to do so.
Lynch released Eraserhead, his first feature film, in 1977 and since then has made a name for himself as a director behind many surrealist, quirky, and strange films and TV shows that often contain a lot of heart and passion. Famously, he helped create the bizarre and beloved mystery show Twin Peaks in the 90s and returned to the series in 2017 for a critically acclaimed third season. However, Lynch’s last feature film was released in 2006 and it seems it might be a while before we get another movie from the famous director.
In a recent interview with Sight and Sound magazine, the 78-year-old director said he had been diagnosed with emphysema and that the disease affects his ability to move around, meaning he might only be able to direct future films and TV shows remotely.
When word of this got out online, people began speculating that he was going to completely retire, but the creator denied this in a post on Twitter following the interview, saying “I will never retire” and reassuring his fans that he was doing fine. He also explained that his lung disease was directly caused by his “many years” of smoking cigarettes.
“Yes, I have emphysema from my many years of smoking,” said Lynch on Twitter on August 5. “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.”
In the message posted to social media, Lynch explained that he quit smoking over two years ago and recent tests provided him “good news” and that he is in “excellent shape except for emphysema.”
“I am filled with happiness, and I will never retire,” concluded Lynch. “I want you all to know that I really appreciate your concern. Love, David”
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