Naomi Watts’ heartbreaking tribute to David Lynch after his death at 78 – as actress reveals he started her career at age 33 in Mulholland Drive after years of struggle

Australian actress Naomi Watts has written a heartfelt tribute to director David Lynch.

The author’s family took to social media on Thursday to announce the devastating news that he had died at the age of 78 after a battle with emphysema.

Watts, a longtime collaborator with Lynch, first starred in his critically acclaimed 2001 esoteric thriller. Mulholland Drive took to Instagram on Friday to share her grief over the director’s passing.

“My heart is broken,” Watts began the lengthy post, which was supplemented with photos and clips of the pair together.

‘My Buddy Dave…The world won’t be the same without him. His creative mentorship was truly powerful.”

Watts added that she is forever grateful to the director who gave her a chance after more than a decade of trying to make it in Hollywood.

Australian actress Naomi Watts has written a heartfelt tribute to director David Lynch following his death at the age of 78

‘He put me on the map. The world I had been trying to break into for over a decade, failing at auditions left and right,” she wrote.

‘Finally I sat before a curious man, radiant with light, speaking words from another era, which made me laugh and feel at ease. How could he even ‘see’ me when I was so well hidden and I had even lost sight of myself?!

Watts continued the extended tribute, adding that it was both the man and his art that influenced her life so greatly.

‘It wasn’t just his art that impressed me; his wisdom, humor and love gave me a special sense of belief in myself that I had never experienced before,” she offered.

‘Every moment together felt charged with a presence I have rarely seen or known. Probably because, yes, he seemed to live in a changed world, a world that I feel like I was able to be a small part of.

“And David invited everyone to peek into that world through his exquisite storytelling, which took cinema to the next level and inspired generations of filmmakers around the world.”

Concluding her tribute, Watts revealed she was “in pieces” over the director’s death.

‘I just can’t believe he’s gone. I am in pieces, but forever grateful for our friendship. I shout from the megaphone: Godspeed, Buddy Dave! Thank you for everything. —Buttercup xox’

Watts, a longtime collaborator with Lynch, first starred in his critically acclaimed 2001 esoteric thriller. Mulholland Drive took to Instagram on Friday to share her grief over the director's passing.

Watts, a longtime collaborator with Lynch, first starred in his critically acclaimed 2001 esoteric thriller. Mulholland Drive took to Instagram on Friday to share her grief over the director’s passing.

“My heart is broken,” Watts began the lengthy post which was supplemented with photos and clips of the pair together

“My heart is broken,” Watts began the lengthy post which was supplemented with photos and clips of the pair together

'He put me on the map. The world I had been trying to break into for over a decade, failing at auditions left and right,” she wrote. Watts and Lynch are pictured with Mulholland Drive colleague Laura Elena Harring

‘He put me on the map. The world I had been trying to break into for over a decade, failing at auditions left and right,” she wrote. Watts and Lynch are pictured with Mulholland Drive colleague Laura Elena Harring

Watts also shared a glimpse into the pair’s working relationship via a sweet clip.

The video showed Watts and Lynch on set as the director urged the actress to hit him.

Watts lightly tapped the director’s cheek, prompting him to respond, “No, you’re broken, slap me.”

“I don’t want that,” Watts replied before Lynch put a comforting arm around her shoulder and offered, “Oh, honey.”

Watts’ post was met with an outpouring of condolences from friends and followers, including fellow Australian actress Rebecca Gibney.

“What a stunningly beautiful tribute,” she wrote. ‘We have indeed lost an artistic giant. Really heartbreaking.’

Another follower chimed in, praising Watts’ work in Mulholland Drive and Lynch’s “genius” vision.

“My condolences Naomi, your performance in Mulholland Drive is still one of my favorite performances ever,” they shared.

Watts also shared a glimpse into the pair's working relationship via a sweet clip. The video showed Watts and Lynch on set as the director urged the actress to hit him.

Watts also shared a glimpse into the pair’s working relationship via a sweet clip. The video showed Watts and Lynch on set as the director urged the actress to hit him.

Watts and Lynch's artistic collaboration saw them work on four projects - the first being her breakthrough role in the 2001 film Mulholland Drive.

Watts and Lynch’s artistic collaboration saw them work on four projects – the first being her breakthrough role in the 2001 film Mulholland Drive.

They reunited in 2006 for Lynch's experimental mystery Inland Empire, which used footage of Watts from the director's 2002 short film Rabbits, and again in 2017 for the reboot of Lynch's iconic series Twin Peaks. Watts is pictured with Twin Peaks co-star Kyle MacLaughlan

They reunited in 2006 for Lynch’s experimental mystery Inland Empire, which used footage of Watts from the director’s 2002 short film Rabbits, and again in 2017 for the reboot of Lynch’s iconic series Twin Peaks. Watts is pictured with Twin Peaks co-star Kyle MacLaughlan

‘He was such a genius, one of the greatest artists ever. I can only imagine what it feels like to lose him as a friend; we will always remember him and his tremendous legacy.”

In a post shared on Facebook on Thursday, Lynch’s family announced his passing, writing: ‘It is with great sadness that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and artist, David Lynch.”

“We would appreciate some privacy at this time. There is a big hole in the world now that he is no longer with us.’

“But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not the hole.’ “It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies,” they concluded.

David is survived by his wife Emily Stofle, as well as daughter Jennifer, 56, – who he had with first wife Peggy Reavey – and sons Riley, 42, and Austin, 33, both of whom were the result of his marriage to Mary Fisk. .

Watts and Lynch’s artistic collaboration saw them work on four projects – the first being her breakthrough role in the 2001 film Mulholland Drive.

They reunited in 2006 for Lynch’s experimental mystery Inland Empire, which used footage of Watts from the director’s 2002 short film Rabbits.

Watts also appeared in the reboot of Lynch’s iconic series Twin Peaks, playing Janey-E Jones.