Oscar-Nominated Star Diane Ladd, Known For Her Role in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at the Age of 89.
This Oscar-nominated performer Diane Ladd left us 89 years old.
The star, whose filmography featured Chinatown, died at her home in Ojai, California. The news was announced via an announcement by her offspring, award-winning actress Laura Dern, her daughter.
Laura Dern, who appeared with Diane Ladd in several movies including Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, called her “my incredible hero plus my profound gift being my mom”, noting that she was by her side when she passed.
“She was the most wonderful mother, daughter, grandmother, star, artist as well as caring individual that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she expressed. “We were lucky to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Ladd’s early career featured small roles in TV shows such as Perry Mason and the 1970s saw her starring next to actor Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.
During that year, 1974, she shared the screen alongside Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese praised comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her acting landed Ladd an Academy Award nomination as best supporting actress.
Subsequent Years
During the eighties, she was seen in crime thriller the movie Black Widow and comedy sequel National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and appeared on the show Alice, a television series derived from the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the subsequent decade, she was given a further Oscar nomination for supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her part in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the parent of her actual daughter Laura Dern’s role. The next year she obtained a further nomination for her role in Rambling Rose which also starred Laura Dern.
“This was the film that Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she flew me and Laura to London for a special screening and a celebration dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled about the film Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, holding both our hands, and crying, watching us perform.”
The 1990s featured performances in the comedy Cemetery Club, a film bringing her back with her co-star Burstyn, Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, with John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed Laura Dern’s mom again. The decade also saw her score TV award nominations for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom and Touched by an Angel.
Collaborations with Daughter
She kept appearing with her daughter in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, a movie, Lynch’s Inland Empire and the series by Mike White dark comedy series Enlightened. She was also seen alongside actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film and with Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.
Subsequent TV appearances included Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon.
Writing and Directing
Ladd also wrote and oversaw the comedy film the movie Mrs Munck which starred her and ex-husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I was honored to direct him on a project. Indeed, I am the sole female in history to helm a film with her ex. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, if you seek payback, direct your ex-husband.’ However, I’m joking.”
Personal Connections
She happened to be the third cousin of the great Tennessee Williams, who she called “a major inspiration in my life”.
In 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with a pulmonary condition and told her life expectancy was six months but made a full recovery after her daughter shifted her to a new hospital.
“When you use your pain and avoid letting it accumulate similar to a wound, rather utilize it to discover, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are winning,” Ladd remarked.
