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This award-nominated actor the celebrated Diane Ladd passed away at the age of 89.

The actress, whose credits spanned Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, died at her home in Ojai, California. The news was announced via an announcement shared by her offspring, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern.

Laura Dern, who performed alongside Diane Ladd in several movies like Wild at Heart, referred to her as “my amazing hero plus my special gift as a mother”, noting that she was present during her final moments.

“She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, performer, creative and compassionate soul that seemed almost dreamlike,” she expressed. “We were blessed to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”

Beginnings and Major Success

Her initial acting years saw small roles in television programs such as Perry Mason while the seventies saw her starring next to Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.

In the same year, 1974, she appeared with Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese praised dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her acting landed Ladd her initial Oscar nod for best supporting actress.

Subsequent Years

In the 1980s, she appeared in crime thriller the movie Black Widow as well as funny follow-up National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and appeared on the show Alice, a comedy program inspired by Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the subsequent decade, she received a further Oscar nomination for supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her performance in David Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she acted as the mother of her actual daughter Dern’s character. A year later she obtained a further nomination for her acting in Rambling Rose which included Laura Dern.

“This was the picture that Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she flew me and Laura to England for a special screening and a party for us,” Ladd recalled about the film Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, taking our hands, and weeping, viewing our performance.”

That decade included parts in the comedy The Cemetery Club reuniting her with her co-star Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a comedy about politics, with John Travolta and Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth where she acted as Dern’s mother again. That period also earned her nominations for Emmy Awards for roles in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.

Working with Laura Dern

She continued to star with her daughter in dramatic comedies Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and Mike White’s satirical show Enlightened. She also appeared with Sandra Bullock, a star in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in that movie and with Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.

Subsequent TV appearances consisted of Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Writing and Directing

Ladd also wrote and directed the comedy film Mrs Munck, a film featuring herself and former husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a movie. In fact, I’m the only woman in recorded history to direct her ex-husband. I humorously say: ‘I say ladies, should you desire retribution, direct your ex-husband.’ However, I’m joking.”

Personal Life

Ladd was also a family member of Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a great influence throughout my life”.

In 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and advised she had just six months to live but made a full recovery after her daughter shifted her to another medical facility.

“When you use your pain and prevent it from festering similar to a wound, instead use it to investigate, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are succeeding,” Ladd said.