David Lynch On The Fabelmans: ‘Laura Dern Encouraged Me To Do It’

 David Lynch on Playing John Ford in The Fabelmans: A Conversation

For a young aspiring filmmaker, meeting a legend can be life-changing. At 15, Steven Spielberg found himself in the office of John Ford, where the gruff, no-nonsense director gave him a brutally honest lesson on framing shots—declaring that a horizon in the center of a frame is “boring as hell” before promptly dismissing him. Decades later, Spielberg recreated this pivotal moment in his semi-autobiographical film The Fabelmans, enlisting none other than David Lynch to portray Ford. The result? A performance that left a lasting impression.

Speaking from his Los Angeles home over a morning coffee, Lynch shared the story of how he ended up in The Fabelmans, his initial reluctance, and his deep admiration for Ford.

The Call from Spielberg

Spielberg personally reached out to Lynch to offer him the role, but Lynch was hesitant. “I didn’t want to do it at first,” he admitted. “I’ve always made an effort to stay away from acting, so people like Harrison Ford and George Clooney could have a shot at a career.”

But Spielberg was determined. When Lynch remained unconvinced, Spielberg turned to a mutual friend—Laura Dern. “Laura’s someone very special to me,” Lynch said. “She encouraged me, saying it would be a great experience. And she was right. I even suggested Peter Bogdanovich for the role, but Steven insisted, ‘David, you’re the one to do it.’ He talked me into it.”

Becoming John Ford

Lynch was already familiar with Ford’s public persona—the eye patch, the gruff demeanor, and the legendary presence. “I had seen interviews, especially the one Bogdanovich did with him in Monument Valley,” he recalled. “Ford was a bit of a showman. From what I’ve gathered, he didn’t actually need that patch, but it added to his mystique.”

To prepare, Lynch immersed himself in Ford’s look and mannerisms. “I got the patch, the hat, the clothes, and just lived with them for a couple of weeks,” he explained. “I didn’t go full method, but I wanted to feel comfortable in that skin.”

The transformation was striking—so much so that when watching The Fabelmans, fans and critics noted Lynch’s uncanny resemblance to Ford.

A Scene to Remember

Lynch was particularly drawn to the scene’s writing. “The dialogue felt great—every line just worked,” he said. “And honestly, I loved working with Steven. He’s a great guy, and the entire experience was fantastic.”

There was, however, one indulgence Lynch allowed himself on set. “[Co-writer] Tony Kushner mentioned that I had only one request—a supply of Cheetos in my dressing room,” he laughed. “I love them, but I don’t eat them often. When I do, I need a big bag. You can’t stop after just a few.”

On Smoking, Creativity, and Advice for Filmmakers

Lynch, a longtime smoker, used real cigars for the role—a decision he now acknowledges as risky. “I smoked 16 cigars that day,” he admitted. “I’ve since quit because of emphysema, but I always loved nicotine. Nowadays, there are fake movie cigars, but when non-smokers try to fake it, it looks terrible.”

When asked about Ford’s famous advice to young Spielberg, Lynch agreed with its wisdom. “Ford probably had a whole arsenal of lessons he could have shared, but he went with the horizon thing—and he was right. A horizon in the middle of the frame? Boring as hell.”

And what would Lynch himself tell aspiring filmmakers? His answer was simple but firm: “Find your own voice. Stay true to it. Get every aspect of the film as close to perfection as possible. Never accept a bad idea. And most importantly—always have final cut. If you don’t, why even bother? You might as well walk away before you start.”

A Meeting of Legends

Reflecting on the experience, Lynch imagined what Ford himself might have thought of the scene. “He’d probably say, ‘That guy Lynch—I wish I could’ve worked with him.’”

One can only dream.