What Cigarettes Did David Lynch Smoke in His Most Famous Portrait, Revealed by Photographer

There are many things that fans of certain TV shows and movies want to ask the directors behind them. From what inspires them to create, to some of the technical secrets they use every day on set, to what they consider their best and worst work to date, the possibilities are endless.

Some questions, however, go beyond their craft and into their personal lives. For example, one of the biggest mysteries surrounding David Lynch had nothing to do with Dune, Wild at Heart, or Twin Peaks, but with the brand of tobacco he loves most.

David Lynch’s Smoking Portrait

The only way fans can connect with the people who ultimately stay behind the cameras, like the directors, writers, and producers, is through all kinds of media. The creatives create their own public image through the interviews and photo shoots they participate in, and for David Lynch, Chris Saunders' portrait was the most influential.

Recalling the events of the day behind one of the most iconic photographs of one of the most iconic directors for The Guardian, the photographer finally revealed a secret that has plagued many of Lynch's fans around the world: which brand of tobacco does the director prefer?

It turns out that getting the right kind of cigarettes in the UK, where the shoot took place, was quite a challenge.

“I have a trick that I use on people when I know my time is limited: I try and find something that we have in common that is nothing to do with work. I knew Lynch liked American Spirit cigarettes – organic tobacco. They were difficult to get hold of in the UK but I had found some for him and he was really chuffed,” he said.

The best part of this story is that it worked wonders. While smoking is definitely not a habit that needs to be encouraged, the right kind of cigarette was an icebreaker that Saunders needed to capture the best possible moment and create a photo that will forever be in everyone's mind when they think of David Lynch.

But no portrait could ever be as important as the director's filmography. If you want to revisit Lynch's most popular TV series, Twin Peaks, you can stream all 3 seasons, including the revival, on Paramount Plus.

Source: The Guardian