Acclaimed Actress Diane Ladd, Known For Her Role in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Passes Away at Age 89.
This Academy Award-nominated actor Diane Ladd left us aged 89.
The actress, whose credits spanned Chinatown, passed away at home in California’s Ojai. This announcement was announced through a message from her offspring, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern, her daughter.
Her daughter, who performed alongside her mother in a number of films such as Wild at Heart, described her as “my amazing hero and my precious gift as a mother”, writing that she was by her side during her final moments.
“She was the most wonderful grandmother, mother, daughter, star, artist as well as empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she expressed. “We were fortunate to know her. She is flying with her angels now.”
Beginnings and Breakthrough
Her initial acting years featured supporting roles in television programs like Gunsmoke while that decade had her appearing alongside Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.
In the same year, 1974, she shared the screen with actress Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s celebrated film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The performance earned Ladd her first Oscar nomination in the supporting actress category.
1980s and Beyond
In the 1980s, she was seen in the thriller the movie Black Widow plus comedy sequel Christmas Vacation and also took part in Alice, a television series inspired by Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the subsequent decade, she received another Oscar nomination for supporting actress nomination for her performance in the David Lynch film the movie Wild at Heart where she acted as the parent of her real-life daughter Laura Dern’s role. The following year she was awarded another nomination for her performance in Rambling Rose, another movie that also featured her daughter.
“This was the picture which Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she brought us to the UK for a special screening and a party dedicated to us,” Ladd said regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, and crying, viewing our performance.”
The 1990s included parts in humorous films Cemetery Club, a film joining her again with her co-star Burstyn, Primary Colors, a satirical film, starring John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed the mother of Dern another time. Those years also brought her TV award nominations for roles in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom plus Touched by an Angel.
Partnerships with Her Daughter
She continued to star with her daughter in comedy drama Daddy and Them, Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and the series by Mike White satirical show Enlightened, a TV series. She also appeared next to Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian plus Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.
Her more recent television parts included Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.
Filmmaking Ventures
She also authored and oversaw the humorous movie Mrs Munck that included herself and former husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I was honored to direct him in a film. Indeed, I’m the only woman in history to helm a film with her ex. I make a joke: ‘I tell women, if you want revenge, guide your former spouse.’ However, I’m joking.”
Personal Connections
She happened to be the third cousin of the great Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a great influence in my life”.
During 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with lung disease and told her life expectancy was six months yet she recovered completely when her daughter transferred her to a different hospital.
“If you can take your pain and prevent it from festering like a sore or something, instead apply it to explore, to clarify the journey for personal and collective growth, then you are triumphing,” Ladd expressed.
