David Lynch Reveals Emphysema Diagnosis, Announces He Can No Longer Direct in Person

Hollywood director David Lynch has revealed he has been diagnosed with emphysema, a chronic lung disease caused by “many years of smoking”.

Emphysema is a chronic lung condition that causes shortness of breath. The disease generally occurs due to cigarette smoking (the 78-year-old legendary filmmaker is a lifelong smoker) or exposure to pollutants.

In a new interview, he said that he can no longer “leave the house” due to fears of getting coronavirus.

“I’ve gotten emphysema from smoking for so long, and so I’m homebound whether I like it or not. And now, because of COVID, it would be very bad for me to get sick, even with a cold,” Lynch told Sight and Sound in the magazine’s September cover story (via the Independent). 

He added that he “can only walk a short distance before” he runs “out of oxygen.”

The filmmaker behind such works as “Eraserhead,” “Mulholland Drive” and the “Twin Peaks” universe stated that it’s unlikely he will direct again — but if he does, he would not be on set. 

“I would try to do it remotely if it comes to it,” Lynch noted. “I wouldn’t like that so much.”

In a post on X several hours after the story’s publication, Lynch clarified that he “enjoyed smoking very much” but has now quit for more than two years.

“Recently I had many tests, and the good news is that I am in excellent shape except for emphysema,” Lynch continued. 

“I am filled with happiness, and I will never retire. I want you all to know that I really appreciate your concern.”

Lynch, whose last feature film was 2006’s “Inland Empire,” said he is still “hopeful” that his 2010 screenplay “Antelope Don’t Run No More” will make it to the big screen. “We don’t know what the future will bring,” he added.

The moviemaker also discussed “Snootworld,” the animated film he began working on two decades ago with Caroline Thompson (“The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Edward Scissorhands”).

“Just recently, I thought someone might be interested in getting behind this, so I presented it to Netflix in the last few months, but they rejected it,” Lynch shared. “Old-fashioned fairy tales are considered groaners: apparently, people don’t want to see them. It’s a different world now, and it’s easier to say no than to say yes.”