Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard and more have paid tribute to David Lynch, the 'Twin Peaks' and 'Blue Velvet' director who died at 78 years old.

Longtime friend and collaborator Kyle MacLachlan paid tribute to Lynch on Instagram: “Forty-two years ago, for reasons beyond my comprehension, David Lynch plucked me out of obscurity to star in his first and last big budget movie. He clearly saw something in me that even I didn’t recognize. I owe my entire career, and life really, to his vision.

It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch,” the director's family said in a statement. “We would appreciate some privacy at this time. There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us.