Diane Ladd, Known For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at 89 Years Old.
This award-nominated actor Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran left us at the age of 89.
This star, with credits included National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home in Ojai, California. The news was announced via an announcement shared by her offspring, award-winning actress Laura Dern, her daughter.
Her daughter, who appeared with her mother in several movies like Wild at Heart, referred to her as “my wonderful hero and my precious gift being my mom”, writing that she was by her side as she died.
“She was the greatest mother, daughter, grandmother, actress, 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 Major Success
The start of her career featured minor parts on television series such as The Fugitive while the seventies featured her performing alongside the legendary Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.
In the same year, the year 1974, she appeared alongside Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role brought Ladd her initial Oscar nod as best supporting actress.
1980s and Beyond
Throughout the 1980s, she starred in crime thriller the movie Black Widow and humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining Alice, a sitcom based on Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the following decade, she received another best supporting actress nomination for her role in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart where she played the mother of her biological child Dern’s character. A year later she received an additional nod for her role in the film Rambling Rose which included Laura Dern.
“This movie which Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she brought us to the UK for a royal premiere and an event in our honor,” Ladd shared about the film Rambling Rose. “And she sat between us, taking our hands, and crying, watching us perform.”
The nineties featured performances in comedy Cemetery Club, a film bringing her back with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a satirical film, starring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy where she played Dern’s mother again. That period also saw her score Emmy nominations for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.
Working with Laura Dern
She kept appearing with her daughter in comedy drama Daddy and Them, a movie, David Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and the series by Mike White dark comedy series the program Enlightened. She was also seen alongside Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film plus Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.
Subsequent TV appearances featured Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy.
Writing and Directing
She additionally penned and helmed the humorous movie Mrs Munck, a film that included herself and previous spouse Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him on a project. Actually, I stand as the only woman in history to helm a film with her ex. I often joke: ‘I advise females, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”
Family Ties
Ladd was also a family member of Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a great influence in my life”.
In 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a pulmonary condition and advised she had just six months to live but made a full recovery once her daughter transferred her to another medical facility.
“Should you harness your suffering and not let it back up like an injury, rather utilize it to explore, to make the path clearer for yourself and others, then you are triumphing,” Ladd expressed.
