With such hallucinogenic masterworks as 'Eraserhead,' 'Blue Velvet,' 'Mulholland Drive,' 'Twin Peaks' and 'The Elephant Man,' he often left more questions than answers.

David Lynch, the filmmaker celebrated for his uniquely dark and dreamlike vision in such movies as ''Blue Velvet'' and ''Mulholland Drive'' and the TV series ''Twin Peaks,'' has died just days before his 79th birthday.

The American television and filmmaker's surrealist work was hailed for its distinctive style. His family says there is a "big hole in the world" following his death.