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David Lynch<\/strong><\/a> had a long and successful career in film before he died<\/a> in January 2025. The late 78-year-old Twin Peaks<\/em> director and actor was a smoker for most of his life \u2014 since the age of 8 years old, he once revealed \u2014 and he battled a health issue during his final years. Nevertheless, David still kept a positive attitude, even telling PEOPLE<\/em><\/a> in November 2024 that he didn\u2019t regret smoking. However, he still advised others to \u201cquit these things that are going to end up killing\u201d them.<\/p>\n Learn about David\u2019s health and his final months before his death below.<\/p>\n During his November 2024 interview with PEOPLE<\/em>, David revealed he started smoking when he was only 8 years old. The Montana native pointed out that smoking was a \u201cbig, important part of [his] life\u201d and that he \u201cloved the smell of tobacco, the taste of tobacco.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI loved lighting cigarettes,\u201d he added. \u201cIt was part of being a painter and a filmmaker for me.\u201d<\/p>\n For decades, David didn\u2019t quit smoking until he was diagnosed with emphysema in 2020. Emphysema is a chronic lung illness and is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Eraserhead<\/em> director admitted he knew that smoking would lead to problems during his 2024 PEOPLE<\/em> interview.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the back of every smoker\u2019s mind is the fact that it\u2019s healthy, so you\u2019re literally playing with fire,\u201d he said at the time. \u201cIt can bite you. I took a chance, and I got bit. \u2026\u00a0I saw the writing on the wall. and it said, \u2018You\u2019re going to die in a week if you don\u2019t stop.’\u201d<\/p>\n At one point, David recalled \u201chardly\u201d being able to \u201cmove without gasping for air.\u201d So, \u201cquitting was [his] only choice,\u201d the Fabelmans<\/em> actor noted. However, David didn\u2019t regret smoking, he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was important to me. I wish what every addict wishes for: that what we love is good for us,\u201d the Mulholland Drive<\/em> director explained. \u201cI never thought about it as glamorizing it. It was a part of life. Some characters would be smokers, just like in real life.\u201d<\/p>\n Nevertheless, David didn\u2019t want other people to follow his example. He concluded in his interview, \u201cI really wanted to get this across: Think about it. You can quit these things that are going to end up killing you. I owe it to them \u2014 and to myself \u2014 to say that.\u201d<\/p>\n David\u2019s official cause of death<\/a> has not been revealed. Deadline<\/em><\/a> reported that he was forced to evacuate his Los Angeles County Home<\/a> during the Sunset fire in January 2025, and he \u201ctook a turn for the worse\u201d after that.<\/p>\n \n\t\t<\/div>\nDavid Lynch Started Smoking at 8 Years Old<\/h2>\n
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David Lynch Battled Emphysema<\/h2>\n
How Did David Lynch Die?<\/h2>\n