🔗 Share this article

The Oscar-nominated actress Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran passed away 89 years old.

The actor, with filmography included Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, passed away at home at her Ojai, California home. This announcement was shared in a statement from her daughter, award-winning actress Laura Dern.

Dern, who appeared with her mom in several movies such as Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my wonderful hero plus my profound gift being my mom”, stating that she was by her side when she passed.

“She was an exceptional mother, daughter, grandmother, actress, artist along with compassionate soul that felt like a dream come true,” she stated. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.”

Beginnings and Major Success

Her initial acting years included supporting roles in television programs such as Perry Mason whereas the 1970s had her appearing next to the legendary Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.

During that year, the year 1974, she shared the screen with actress Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s acclaimed dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her role earned Ladd her initial Oscar nod in the supporting actress category.

1980s and Beyond

During the eighties, she was seen in crime thriller Black Widow plus humorous film Christmas Vacation and appeared on the show Alice, a comedy program based on Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

During the next ten years, she was given another best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role in the David Lynch film the movie Wild at Heart where she acted as the mother of her real-life daughter the character played by Dern. The following year she was awarded another nomination for her performance in Rambling Rose that also featured Dern.

“This was the picture that the late Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she brought us to London for a premiere and a party for us,” Ladd recalled about the film Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, taking our hands, and crying, seeing us act.”

The nineties included parts in humorous films The Cemetery Club joining her again with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a satirical film, featuring John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed Laura Dern’s mom again. Those years also brought her nominations for Emmy Awards for roles in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom and Touched by an Angel.

Working with Laura Dern

She continued to star alongside her daughter in dramatic comedies Daddy and Them, a movie, David Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and the series by Mike White dark comedy series Enlightened, a TV series. She was also seen alongside Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian and with Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances included Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Behind the Camera

She also authored and oversaw the humorous movie Mrs Munck which starred Diane Ladd and previous spouse actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she noted. “It was a privilege to guide him in a film. In fact, I am the sole female in recorded history to direct her ex-husband. I often joke: ‘I advise females, should you desire retribution, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Family Ties

Ladd was also the third cousin of the great Tennessee Williams, who she called “a major inspiration throughout my life”.

Back in 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with lung disease and informed she only had half a year left yet she recovered completely after her daughter transferred her to another medical facility.

“If you can take your pain and not let it back up like an injury, instead apply it to explore, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are winning,” Ladd said.