Acclaimed Actress Diane Ladd, Celebrated For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Dies at 89 Years Old.
The award-nominated actress the celebrated Diane Ladd passed away 89 years old.
This actor, whose credits spanned Chinatown, died at her home in California’s Ojai. Her passing was announced via an announcement shared by her child, award-winning actress Laura Dern, her daughter.
Dern, who appeared with her mother in a number of films such as Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, described her as “my wonderful hero and my precious gift being my mom”, writing that she was at her bedside as she died.
“She was an exceptional daughter, mother, grandmother, star, artist as well as caring individual that felt like a dream come true,” she wrote. “We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”
Early Career and Breakthrough
Her initial acting years included supporting roles in TV shows such as Gunsmoke and that decade had her appearing alongside the legendary Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.
In the same year, the year 1974, she appeared alongside Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s praised comedy drama the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role landed Ladd an Academy Award nomination as best supporting actress.
Subsequent Years
In the 1980s, she appeared in the dramatic film Black Widow as well as funny follow-up National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining the sitcom Alice, a sitcom inspired by the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
During the next ten years, she was given another supporting actress nomination for her part in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart where she acted as the parent of her actual daughter Laura Dern’s role. The following year she received an additional nod for her acting in Rambling Rose, another movie which included her daughter.
“This was the film that the late Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she brought me and Laura to England for a royal premiere and a celebration dedicated to us,” Ladd shared of Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, and weeping, seeing us act.”
The 1990s included parts in comedy The Cemetery Club joining her again with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a satirical film, featuring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy where she played Dern’s mother once more. Those years also earned her Emmy nominations for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom plus Touched by an Angel.
Working with Laura Dern
She kept appearing alongside her daughter in comedy drama the film Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and Mike White’s dark comedy series Enlightened. She also appeared with Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film and Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.
Subsequent TV appearances included Ray Donovan, a drama plus Young Sheldon.
Writing and Directing
She additionally penned and directed the humorous movie Mrs Munck featuring her and former husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she noted. “I was honored to direct him on a project. Indeed, I am the sole female ever to direct her ex-husband. I often joke: ‘I advise females, should you desire retribution, guide your former spouse.’ Though I’m just teasing.”
Personal Connections
She was additionally the third cousin of Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a great influence in my life”.
During 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with lung disease and told she had just six months to live but she regained full health once her daughter moved her to another medical facility.
“When you use your pain and not let it back up like a sore or something, rather utilize it to investigate, to clarify the journey for you and those around, then you are winning,” Ladd said.