David Lynch Biography

In 1965, he attended art college in Philadelphia, a city that he enjoyed living and working in, and found visually stimulating. After graduating, he made some acclaimed animated film work and soon entered film school.

His first film to have a commercial impact was 'Eraserhead', a film that he started developing in 1972 and which was released in 1976.

Films that followed were the 'Elephant Man' in 1980, based on the tragic real life experience of Joseph Merrick in Victorian London, and 'Blue Velvet' in 1986, starring Isabella Rosselini and Kyle MacLachlan. All of these films are characterised by their darkness and beauty.

The television series 'Twin Peaks', in the late eighties, brought Lynch's work to a far larger audience and was hailed as a lovingly crafted, strange and original work for television. In 1992, 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me' was released in the cinema.

'Wild At Heart', starring Nicolas Cage, won the Palme D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1990. His first film of the late nineties, 'Lost Highway' had mixed reviews, his only poorly received work.

1999 saw the release of 'The Straight Story', which was considered a beautifully shot film of a remarkable true story. 'Mullholland Drive' won Lynch the Best Director award at Cannes in 2001.

As well as making films, David Lynch has made some notable music videos and adverts. Although most famous for his work with a film camera, he has consistently made and exhibited work as a sculptor and painter, and also makes furniture.