All about Jennifer, Austin, Riley and Lula

Although David Lynch will be remembered as an iconic filmmaker, he also carried the title of father.

The four-time Oscar nominee, whose death at age 78 was announced on January 16, was a father of four. He welcomed his children — Jennifer, Austin, Riley and Lula — with ex-wives Peggy Reavey, Mary Fisk and Mary Sweeney and estranged wife Emily Stofle, who filed for divorce in 2023.

On January 16, his family shared the news of his death in a Facebook postand said: “It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and artist, David Lynch.”

“There is a great hole in the world now that he is no longer with us,” the post continued. “But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’ ”

During a conversation in June 2018 with Vulturethe director best known for creating the 1990 TV series Twin Peaks, opened up about the “tricky business” of fatherhood.

“I love all my children and we get on well, but in the early years, before you can have a relationship to talk to them, it’s hard,” he said. “The work is the main thing and I know that I have caused suffering because of it. But at the same time I have a huge love for the children.”

Here’s everything to know about David Lynch’s four children, Jennifer, Austin, Riley and Lula.

Jennifer Lynch

David became a father when he and his ex-wife Peggy – to whom he was married from 1967 to 1974 – welcomed daughter Jennifer in 1968. Now a grown adult, Jennifer followed in her father’s footsteps and became a writer and director.

Although they share some creative talents, Jennifer opened up about their complex relationship to PEOPLE in 1990, saying, “He wasn’t your normal dad, but he’s been the best dad he could be, and we’ve had fun.”

That year, Jennifer released one Twin Peaks spin-off novel titled The Secret Diary of Laura Palmerbased on a character from her father’s show. She then delved into film and went on to direct the 1993s Boxing HelenaThe 2008s Supervision and the 2012s Chained.

As for her personal life, Jennifer shares a daughter Sydney with her ex-partner Andrew J. Peterson, per The independent.

Austin Jack Lynch

David welcomed his first son, Austin, with his ex-wife Fisk, to whom he was married from 1977 to 1987. Austin was born on September 7, 1982, in Los Angeles.

Austin has been involved in a few of his father’s projects over the years, including portraying small roles in Twin Peaks and Inland Kingdom. Over the years, he has mirrored David’s passion for behind-the-scenes work and has helped create his father’s documentary series Interview project and instruction of 2017 Gray House.

In June 2018, David told The Guardian to Gray House was one of the only films he saw that year and that he “really liked it.”

Riley Sweeney Lynch

David welcomed son Riley in 1992 with ex-wife Sweeney, whom the director was married to from 2006 to 2007.

As a musician, Riley appeared with David’s longtime music mentor Dean Hurley and Alex Zhang Hungtai as featured artists on an episode of Twin Peaks: The Return.

In a conversation in July 2017 with Hero MagazineSharing how the collaboration came about, Riley said: “I told my dad that if he liked a song that Dean and Alex and I came up with, he had to put it on there and if he didn’t like it, then we was out.”

He also discussed how it was “fun” working with his father, saying, “It’s a really good atmosphere on set and everyone just works really hard. He inspires people to do their best work.”

Riley also found a way to combine his intrigue with filmmaking and passion for music and has been working on his directorial debut, Black Eartha heavy-metal romance film, for many years.

But with two parents in the industry, he said PAPER Magazine in May 2018 that he didn’t want it to come with the pressure to fill their shoes.

“Obviously there’s pressure, but my ideas are very much my own and after I do a few things I think people will start to get it,” Riley said. “I just have to keep making.”

Lula Boginia Lynch

After getting married in 2009, David and his wife Emily welcomed daughter Lula Boginia on August 28, 2012. She shares the same name as the main character in David’s 1990 film Wild at heart, with Laura Dern as Lula Fortune.

Lula has lived a life mostly out of the limelight, but has appeared with her father at high-profile events, including the 12th Rome Film Festival in November 2017.

When Emily filed for divorce in 2023, she also asked for sole legal and physical custody of their daughter.