Australian actress Naomi Watts has penned a heartfelt tribute to director David Lynch.

The auteur’s family announced the devastating news that he had died, aged 78, after a battle with emphysema, via social media on Thursday.

Watts, who was a long-time collaborator with Lynch, first starring in his lauded 2001 esoteric thriller Mulholland Drive took to Instagram on Friday to share her grief over the director’s passing.

‘My heart is broken,’ Watts began the expansive post that was augmented with photos and clips of the pair together.

‘My Buddy Dave…The world will not be the same without him. His creative mentorship was truly powerful.’

Watts added that she is forever grateful to the director who gave her a shot after trying to make it in Hollywood for more than a decade.

‘He put me on the map. The world I’d been trying to break into for ten plus years, flunking auditions left and right,’ she wrote.

‘Finally, I sat in front of a curious man, beaming with light, speaking words from another era, making me laugh and feel at ease. How did he even “see me” when I was so well hidden, and I’d even lost sight of myself?!

Continuing the expansive tribute, Watts added that it was the man, as well as his art that impacted her life so greatly.

‘It wasn’t just his art that impacted me – his wisdom, humor, and love gave me a special sense of belief in myself I’d never accessed before,’ she offered.

‘Every moment together felt charged with a presence I’ve rarely seen or known. Probably because, yes, he seemed to live in an altered world, one that I feel beyond lucky to have been a small part of. 

‘And David invited all to glimpse into that world through his exquisite storytelling, which elevated cinema and inspired generations of filmmakers across the globe.’

Concluding her tribute, Watts revealed that she was ‘in pieces’ over the director’s death.

‘I just cannot believe that he’s gone. I’m in pieces but forever grateful for our friendship. I’m yelling from the bullhorn: Godspeed, Buddy Dave! Thank you for your everything. —Buttercup xox’

Watts also shared a glimpse into the pair’s working relationship via a sweet clip.

The video showed Watts and Lynch on set with the director urging the actress to slap him.

Watts offered a light tap on the director’s cheek causing him to reply: No, you’re p****d off, slap me.’

‘I don’t want to, ‘ Watts replied before Lynch placed a consoling arm around her shoulder and offered: ‘aw, sweetheart.’ 

Watts’ post was met with an outpouring of condolences from friends and followers including fellow Australian actress Rebecca Gibney.

‘What a stunningly beautiful tribute, she wrote. ‘We have indeed lost an artistic giant. Truly heartbreaking.’

Another follower chimed in, praising Watts’ work in Mulholland Drive and Lynch’s ‘genius’ vision. 

‘My condolences Naomi, your performance in Mulholland Drive is still one of my favorite performances ever,’ they shared.

‘He was such a genius, one of the greatest artists ever. I can only imagine what it feels to lose him as a friend, we will always remember him and his huge legacy.’

In a post shared to Facebook on Thursday, Lynch’s family announced his death, writing: ‘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. 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,’ they concluded.

David is survived by his wife Emily Stofle as well as daughter Jennifer, 56, – who he had with his first wife Peggy Reavey – and sons Riley, 42, and Austin, 33, both of whom were a result of his marriage to Mary Fisk.

Watts and Lynch’s artistic collaboration saw them work on four projects – the first being her breakout role in the 2001 film Mulholland Drive.

They reunited in 2006 for Lynch’s experimental mystery Inland Empire, which used footage of Watts from the director’s 2002 short film Rabbits.

Watts also appeared in the reboot of Lynch’s iconic series Twin Peaks, playing Janey-E Jones.