Hugh Jackman Mourns 'Massive' Loss of Filmmaker David Lynch: 'an Inspiration to My Life'

Hugh Jackman is mourning the loss of David Lynch.

On Thursday, Jan. 16, the Deadpool & Wolverine actor, 56, shared a heartfelt social media post in honor of the iconic filmmaker, who died at the age of 78.

"The loss of David Lynch is massive," Jackman wrote in an Instagram Stories post on Thursday, Jan. 16. "An incredible artist, filmmaker, philanthropist and spirit. His work at The David Lynch Foundation has been an inspiration to my life. I will continue to help carry the torch as best I can."

"My deepest condolences and love to his family and friends," Jackman finished.

Lynch founded his self-titled foundation in 2005 as a way to fund the practice of meditation in schools. The Twin Peaks showrunner was candid about how meditation impacted his life, and the foundation states that he began practicing transcendental meditation in 1973, which continued until his death.

Related: David Lynch Found Hope for 'Divided' Country in Last PEOPLE Interview: 'This World Is Supposed to Be Beautiful' (Exclusive)

"...I had no idea how powerful and profound this technique could be until I saw firsthand how it was being practiced by veterans who suffer the living hell of post-traumatic stress and women and girls who are survivors of terrible violence," Lynch once said of the practice, according to a statement on the foundation's website.

Jackman has been an advocate for meditation and a devout follower of the foundation. In September 2024, the actor spoke with PEOPLE at the David Lynch Foundation's Meditate America Gala and revealed that he started meditating 31 years ago — when he was a “younger acting student.”

“I thought it would really help me with my acting. That's why I sort of went and it did,” Jackman told PEOPLE at the time. "It helps you be more present, more creative, more energized, more able to connect to people.”

“What I realized very quickly is it changed everything in my life into better: My relationships, my sense of who I am, my accountability with who I am — and literally, every aspect of my life changed,” Jackman said.

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Lynch's family announced on Facebook Thursday that the legendary director had died.

"It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch. We would appreciate some privacy at this time," the statement reads. "There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, 'Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.'"

"It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way," his family added, referencing one of his favorite greetings from his well-known YouTube series.

Lynch, who would have turned 79 this Monday, Jan. 20, was best known for creating the 1990 TV series Twin Peaks. The show spawned a 1992 feature film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, and a limited revival series in 2017.

Related: Kyle MacLachlan Mourns David Lynch: 'I Owe My Entire Career, and Life Really, to His Vision'

A four-time Oscar nominee, Lynch also directed films including The Elephant Man and Blue Velvet. His other directorial credits include 1997’s Lost Highway, 1999’s The Straight Story and 2006’s Inland Empire. He received his third Oscar nomination for best director (and fourth overall) for helming Mulholland Drive.

The father of four had always been candid about his love for meditation. In 2006, he published a book, Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity, about the practice of transcendental meditation, and in 2018, he published Room to Dream, a hybrid of a memoir and biography.

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