He expanded the cinematic potential of television and inspired a generation of showrunners, including “Sopranos” creator David Chase.

Director David Lynch, known for the surreal TV series Twin Peaks and films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet, has died aged 78. A post on his official Facebook page read: “It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch.

Director David Lynch, known for the surreal TV series Twin Peaks and films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet, has died aged 78. The US director's work was known for its dreamlike, surreal quality, with his films also including The Elephant Man (1980), Wild At Heart (1990) and Mulholland Drive (2001).