Tributes to David Lynch by Steven Soderbergh, Questlove, Ron Howard, and other artists

Reactions to the death of David Lynch, the visionary filmmaker behind “Twin Peaks” and “Mulholland Drive,” whose death at 78 was announced Thursday.

Director Steven Soderbergh describes David Lynch as a filmmaker who had a unique style that was influential but hard to copy. Despite his seemingly non-linear and illogical approach, Lynch’s films were meticulously organized in his mind, making it difficult for others to replicate his success.

Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins expresses his deep sadness over David Lynch’s passing. He recalls working with Lynch as a dream come true, likening it to a scene from one of Lynch’s movies. Corgan admires Lynch’s artistic vision and encourages all movie and television enthusiasts to explore Lynch’s extensive body of work, recognizing him as a true artist.

Director Ron Howard pays tribute to David Lynch by highlighting his grace, fearlessness, and dedication to following his heart and soul in creating groundbreaking cinema. Howard appreciates Lynch’s commitment to radical experimentation, which ultimately led to the creation of unforgettable cinematic experiences.

— “Lynch was the first human/creative that stressed the importance of not overworking and taking time out to breathe & meditate and searching for creative avenues not in my comfort zone.” — Questlove, via Threads.

— “RIP David Lynch. You inspired so many of us.” — director James Gunn, via X.

— “Like Kafka, like Bacon, he dedicated his life to opening a portal. He was the first to show me another world, a beautiful one of love and danger I sensed but had never seen outside sleep. Thank you David your gift will reverberate for the rest of my life.” — director Jane Schoenbrun, of “I Saw the TV Glow,” via X.

— “Across the decades, David’s impact on cinema proved indelible in his films and his art — and he always gave back to AFI — supportive of the storytellers who wrote their own rules and reached for something different.” — The American Film Institute, via Instagram.