Oscar-Nominated Star Diane Ladd, Famed For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at the Age of 89.
This Academy Award-nominated performer the celebrated Diane Ladd left us aged 89.
The actor, with credits spanned National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, passed away at home in Ojai, California. This announcement was revealed through a message shared by her child, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern, her daughter.
Dern, who appeared with Diane Ladd in various films like Wild at Heart, described her as “my amazing hero and my precious gift of a mother”, noting that she was by her side when she passed.
“She was an exceptional grandmother, mother, daughter, performer, creative as well as compassionate soul that seemed almost dreamlike,” she stated. “We were lucky to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”
Initial Roles and Rise to Fame
Ladd’s early career saw supporting roles in television programs including Perry Mason whereas the 1970s had her appearing alongside the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.
In the same year, 1974, she performed alongside Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s acclaimed comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting earned Ladd an Academy Award nomination as best supporting actress.
1980s and Beyond
Throughout the 1980s, she starred in the dramatic film Black Widow, a suspense story and comedy sequel National Lampoon’s holiday comedy while also joining Alice, a television series based on the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
During the next ten years, she was given a further best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her performance in Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she played the parent of her biological child Laura Dern’s role. The following year she obtained a further nomination for her role in Rambling Rose, another movie which also starred Dern.
“This was the film that Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she invited us to London for a premiere and an event for us,” Ladd recalled about the film Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, with tears, seeing us act.”
That decade included parts in humorous films Cemetery Club reuniting her with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a comedy about politics, starring John Travolta and Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth where she acted as Laura Dern’s mom again. Those years also saw her score nominations for Emmy Awards for work in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom plus Touched by an Angel.
Collaborations with Daughter
She continued to star with Laura Dern in comedy drama Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project the movie Inland Empire and Mike White’s comedy-drama series the program Enlightened. She also appeared next to actress Sandra Bullock in the film 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film plus Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.
Her later TV roles featured Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy.
Writing and Directing
She additionally penned and directed the comedy Mrs Munck, a film which starred her and former husband Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “It was a privilege to guide him on a project. Actually, I’m the only woman ever to helm a film with her ex. I make a joke: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, helm a movie with your ex.’ However, I’m joking.”
Personal Life
She was additionally a family member of playwright Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a significant impact in my life”.
In 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a pulmonary condition and told her life expectancy was six months but she regained full health once her daughter transferred her to a new hospital.
“Should you harness your suffering and avoid letting it accumulate like an injury, instead apply it to explore, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are winning,” Ladd remarked.
