David Lynch is the iconic director known for his works such as ‘Blue Velvet’ and ‘Twin Peaks’ has been diagnosed with emphysema. The 78-year-old’s condition is causing him to be homebound, and he may never be able to direct in person.

He recently revealed “I’ve gotten emphysema from smoking for so long and so I’m homebound whether I like it or not. It would be very bad for me to get sick, even with a cold,”Lynch told  to Sight & Sound magazine.

With the emphysema, it’s not likely he will be able to go back to directing. He does not want to go out because he fears for his health. If work came his way, he would have to work remotely, and he doesn’t think that he would like to direct remotely.

He avoids going out because he worries about COVID. His emphysema is very serious and he can only walk a little bit before he’s “out of oxygen.”

Per The American Lung Association, “emphysema is a lung disease that causes shortness of breath. It is also referred to as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Emphysema causes damage to the lung tissue and alveoli or tiny air sacs. Over time, this damage causes the tiny air sacs to break and create one big air pocket instead of small ones. When the air sacs break, the big air pockets trap stale air in the damaged tissue and this stops oxygen from easily moving into your bloodstream. This makes it harder for you to breathe and keep your body properly oxygenated. Emphysema can be caused by smoking, indoor and outdoor air pollution and by a genetic form of COPD.”

In 1977, Lynch released “Eraserhead,” a surreal and disturbing film that has become a cult classic. Lynch’s first major studio film, “The Elephant Man” (1980), marked a departure from his earlier work. Based on the true story of John Merrick, a severely disfigured man in Victorian England, the film was a success, earning eight Academy Award nominations.

Lynch continued to push boundaries with his next project, “Blue Velvet” (1986), a dark exploration of suburban America. In 1990, Lynch co-created the television series “Twin Peaks.” The show’s blend of mystery, supernatural elements, and quirky characters captivated audiences and became quite popular.

The director’s film work in the 1990s and 2000s continued to challenge audiences. “Wild at Heart” (1990), “Lost Highway” (1997), and “Mulholland Drive” (2001) are notable for their complexity and imagery. “Mulholland Drive” particularly stands out as a masterpiece, earning Lynch the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival and an Academy Award nomination.