Diane Ladd, Known For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at the Age of 89.
This Oscar-nominated performer Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran passed away at the age of 89.
This actor, with credits included Chinatown, died at her home in Ojai, California. The news was announced in a statement from her daughter, award-winning actress her daughter Laura Dern.
Laura Dern, who starred with her mother in various films such as Rambling Rose, described her as “my incredible hero and my profound gift as a mother”, writing that she was present when she passed.
“She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist as well as empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she stated. “We were lucky to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Beginnings and Rise to Fame
Her initial acting years included supporting roles in television programs including The Fugitive whereas that decade featured her performing next to the legendary Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.
During that year, 1974, she appeared with Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese celebrated dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her acting earned Ladd her initial Oscar nod in the supporting actress category.
Subsequent Years
Throughout the 1980s, she appeared in the thriller Black Widow, a suspense story and humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining Alice, a comedy program based on Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the subsequent decade, she received an additional best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart, a cult classic where she played the mother of her actual daughter Laura Dern’s role. The next year she received an additional nod for her acting in Rambling Rose which also starred Laura Dern.
“This movie that the late Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she invited us to the UK for a royal premiere and a celebration in our honor,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, taking our hands, and weeping, watching us perform.”
The nineties included parts in humorous films The Cemetery Club bringing her back with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political comedy, with John Travolta and Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed Laura Dern’s mom again. Those years also brought her Emmy nominations for roles in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, the show Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.
Partnerships with Her Daughter
She persisted in performing with Laura Dern in dramatic comedies Daddy and Them, a movie, Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and Mike White’s satirical show Enlightened, a TV series. She additionally starred alongside actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in that movie plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.
Her later TV roles included the series Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy.
Filmmaking Ventures
She also authored and helmed the humorous movie the movie Mrs Munck that included her and ex-husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is a talented star,” she said. “I was honored to direct him in a film. In fact, I stand as the only woman in history to direct her ex-husband. I humorously say: ‘I say ladies, if you seek payback, guide your former spouse.’ But I’m only kidding.”
Personal Life
Ladd was also the third cousin of the great Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a significant impact on my life”.
During 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with lung disease and informed her life expectancy was six months yet she recovered completely after her daughter transferred her to a different hospital.
“When you use your pain and not let it back up similar to a wound, instead use it to investigate, to clarify the journey for you and those around, then you are winning,” Ladd remarked.
