Oscar-Nominated Star Diane Ladd, Known For Her Role in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Passes Away at 89 Years Old.
This Oscar-nominated actor the celebrated Diane Ladd passed away 89 years old.
The actress, with roles spanned Chinatown, died at her home in California’s Ojai. The news was announced via an announcement shared by her offspring, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern.
Her daughter, who appeared with her mom in a number of films such as Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, called her “my amazing hero plus my special gift being my mom”, writing that she was at her bedside during her final moments.
“She was the greatest mother, daughter, grandmother, performer, creative along with caring individual that seemed almost dreamlike,” she wrote. “We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”
Initial Roles and Breakthrough
The start of her career included small roles in television programs like Gunsmoke and that decade saw her starring alongside actor Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.
That very year, 1974, she appeared with actress Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese acclaimed film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her acting earned Ladd her first Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.
1980s and Beyond
In the 1980s, she was seen in the dramatic film the movie Black Widow as well as humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and also took part in Alice, a sitcom inspired by Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
During the next ten years, she received an additional Oscar nomination for supporting actress Oscar nomination for her performance in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the mother of her real-life daughter Dern’s character. A year later she obtained a further nomination for her acting in Rambling Rose, another movie which also starred Dern.
“This was the film that Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she brought Laura and I to the UK for a special screening and a celebration for us,” Ladd shared of Rambling Rose. “And she sat between us, holding both our hands, with tears, viewing our performance.”
The nineties also saw roles in humorous films The Cemetery Club joining her again with Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a satirical film, with John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she acted as Laura Dern’s mom once more. That period also brought her Emmy nominations for performances on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom and Touched by an Angel.
Collaborations with Daughter
She continued to star with Laura Dern in films blending humor and drama the film Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project the movie Inland Empire and White’s satirical show Enlightened. She additionally starred alongside actress Sandra Bullock in the film 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.
Her more recent television parts featured Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon, a comedy.
Writing and Directing
She also authored and helmed the comedy film Mrs Munck, a film featuring her and previous spouse Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she mentioned. “I was honored to direct him in a movie. Actually, I stand as the only woman in recorded history to direct her ex-husband. I humorously say: ‘I say ladies, should you desire retribution, guide your former spouse.’ However, I’m joking.”
Personal Connections
She happened to be the third cousin of the great Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a great influence in my life”.
During 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a pulmonary condition and advised she only had half a year left but made a full recovery when her daughter moved her to another medical facility.
“If you can take your pain and avoid letting it accumulate like a sore or something, rather utilize it to explore, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are winning,” Ladd expressed.
