David Lynch Has Emphysema, Can’t Direct in Person or Leave House

David Lynch revealed in a new interview that he was diagnosed with emphysema and can no longer “leave the house” due to fears of getting COVID.

“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,” he told Sight and Sound in the magazine’s September cover story (via the Independent). Lynch said he “can only walk a short distance before” he runs “out of oxygen.”

The legendary filmmaker behind such works as “Eraserhead,” “Mulholland Drive” and the “Twin Peaks” universe added 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 said, admitting, “I wouldn’t like that so much.”

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

In a post on X several hours after this 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.”

Elsewhere in the Sight and Sound interview, 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 said.

He 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 said. “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.”

Order a copy of the September 2024 issue of Sight and Sound here.

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