'Blue Velvet' star Isabella Rossellini pays tribute to ex-partner David Lynch: 'I loved him so much'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Isabella Rossellini remembered David Lynch, the renowned filmmaker and the creative mind behind 'Blue Velvet', who died on Thursday at 78.

The actress, who gained prominence through her role in Lynch’s 1986 film, paid a heartfelt tribute on Friday morning.

How did Isabella Rossellini meet David Lynch and land a role in 'Blue Velvet'?

Isabella Rossellini, who shared a close bond with the director for several years, posted a photo of them with the caption: “I loved him so much. Thanks for all your kind messages.”

The actress and Lynch shared a professional and personal connection, with Rossellini starring in two of his iconic films and being romantically involved with him for about five years.

Rossellini and Lynch first met during the 'Blue Velvet' casting process. Lynch, reportedly unaware of her lineage, remarked, “Hey, you know, you could be the daughter of Ingrid Bergman,” during their meeting as per Variety.

Rossellini was later cast as Dorothy Vallens, a lounge singer whose family is held hostage. The performance earned Lynch an Oscar nomination for best director.

Rossellini and Lynch took their relationship public after divorcing their respective spouses. The pair collaborated again on 'Wild at Heart', which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 1990.

Rossellini and Lynch ended their relationship in 1991. 

Kyle MacLachlan says 'I owe my entire career' to David Lynch

Kyle MacLachlan, who starred in 'Blue Velvet' and 'Twin Peaks', said he owned his entire career to Lynch.

Taking to Instagram he wrote, “I owe my entire career, and life really, to his vision."

"What I saw in him was an enigmatic and intuitive man with a creative ocean bursting forth inside of him. He was in touch with something the rest of us wish we could get to,” MacLachlan shared on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Naomi Watts who starred in Lynch’s 'Mulholland Drive' remembered Lynch’s powerful and creative mentorship for shaping her career.

“His creative mentorship was truly powerful. The world I’d been trying to break into for ten plus years, flunking auditions left and right. Finally, I sat in front of a curious man, beaming with light, speaking words from another era, making me laugh and feel at ease,' she wrote.

"How did he even ‘see me’ when I was so well hidden, and I’d even lost sight of myself?” she recalled.

Fans hail Isabella Rossellini and David Lynch's 'amazing collaboration'

Fans have also been expressing their condolences to Isaballa Rossellini and reflecting on David Lynch’s legacy.

One user wrote on Instagram, “Isabella, you were the first person I thought of when I heard the sad news about David...Sending you much love and strength..."

Another user added, “Oh Isabella - I’ve been thinking of you. What a loss and what a wonderful human to have loved and collaborated with - I’m so sorry.”

Someone wrote, “Such a rare alignment of genius, creative inspiration, and dedication in the name of Art. Grateful for him and the beauty that your amazing collaboration gave us. Thinking of you with so much love.”

"One of the most beautiful auteur/muse collaborations in cinema history, right up there with your luminous parents! ❤️ May they all rest in peace ❤️," another user wrote.

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