David Lynch, ‘Twin Peaks’ creator, dies at 78

Local fans mourn and honor the man who helped put North Bend on the map.

Members of the North Bend and surrounding communities are grieving after the news that David Lynch, creator of the iconic 1990s drama “Twin Peaks,” died Jan. 15 at 78.

“Twin Peaks” was filmed in North Bend, Snoqualmie and surrounding areas, and it continues to be a large part of the local culture, including a “Twin Peaks” celebration each February. Lynch was not only co-creator of the show, but was also its director and acted in the drama as FBI Deputy Director Gordon Cole. Lynch also co-wrote and directed the 1992 film “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me” and the show’s 18-episode revival from 2017.

Lynch’s family announced his death on Lynch’s Facebook page but did not provide details. Last year, Lynch publicly confirmed that he had developed emphysema, a chronic lung disease, from smoking, but he did not retire.

Photo courtesy of Facebook 
Filmmaker David Lynch.

Photo courtesy of Facebook Filmmaker David Lynch.

Early reactions to the news of Lynch’s death include an outpouring of love on social media. North Bend Theatre posted on its Facebook account Jan. 16, saying the theater would not be what it is without Lynch.

“His wonderful and strange art will continue to be celebrated and inspire others forever,” the post says. “He taught us to live fully and live weird.”

The theater also updated its marquee to honor Lynch, including his famous quote “the whole world is wild at heart and weird on top.”

Sam Burrows, son of North Bend Theatre owners Beth and Kevin Burrows, told the Snoqualmie Valley Record Jan. 16 that he and his family are in shock.

“He’s sort of the creator of this culture that we have in North Bend here, and he’s always been just that strong foundation. He’s always there,” Sam Burrows said. “And we thought we just had so much longer with him being there.”

The Real Twin Peaks weekend, which the theater is heavily involved in, is coming up Feb. 21-23, and the team behind it is already discussing how they can honor Lynch.

“With the Real Twin Peaks coming up, it’s just sort of like, how can we celebrate him and his art,” Sam Burrows said. “That’s sort of where our focus is shifting to. It’s sort of mourning, and then now, how can we celebrate him.”

Local Dan Svensson said the first movie he ever saw in theaters was Lynch’s 1984 “Dune,” and he grew up watching “Twin Peaks.” He ended up raising his family in the Snoqualmie Valley somewhat because of the show.

“In 2007, I got a job opportunity at Microsoft, and basically I knew exactly where I wanted to live,” said Svensson, who is on the board for Real Twin Peaks. “I ended up moving here to Snoqualmie, really, because of ‘Twin Peaks’ and David Lynch.”

Not everyone knows or cares for “Twin Peaks,” Svensson said, but those who do hold it near and dear. Decades after the show’s premiere, Lynch’s work still draws thousands of visitors to the Valley’s quaint towns each year.

“In the ‘Twin Peaks’ community, North Bend/Snoqualmie is like the epicenter of the whole culture,” he said. “It’s put our community on the map.”