Oscar-Nominated Star Diane Ladd, Known For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at the Age of 89.
The award-nominated actress the celebrated Diane Ladd left us aged 89.
The star, with credits featured Chinatown, left this world in her residence at her Ojai, California home. This announcement was shared in a statement by her daughter, award-winning actress Laura Dern, her daughter.
Laura Dern, who starred with her mother in several movies such as Rambling Rose, described her as “my wonderful hero as well as my profound gift of a mother”, stating that she was at her bedside during her final moments.
“She was the most wonderful grandmother, mother, daughter, star, artist and caring individual that seemed almost dreamlike,” she stated. “We were lucky to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”
Early Career and Breakthrough
Ladd’s early career included small roles on television series including Perry Mason while that decade saw her starring alongside the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.
During that year, 1974, she performed alongside Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s acclaimed film the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The performance brought Ladd her initial Oscar nod for best supporting actress.
Subsequent Years
During the eighties, she appeared in crime thriller the movie Black Widow plus funny follow-up Christmas Vacation and appeared on Alice, a comedy program inspired by Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the following decade, she earned an additional Oscar nomination for supporting actress Oscar nomination for her performance in Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the mom of her actual daughter Dern’s character. The following year she was awarded another nomination for her role in the film Rambling Rose that also featured Laura Dern.
“This was the picture that Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she invited us to the UK for a premiere and a party for us,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, grasping our hands, with tears, watching us perform.”
The 1990s also saw roles in humorous films Cemetery Club, a film reuniting her with her co-star Burstyn, Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, featuring John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she played Dern’s mother again. That period also earned her Emmy nominations for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.
Working with Laura Dern
She continued to star with her daughter in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and the series by Mike White dark comedy series the program Enlightened. She also appeared next to Sandra Bullock in the film 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in that movie and Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.
Her more recent television parts consisted of the series Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy.
Behind the Camera
Ladd also wrote and oversaw the comedy film Mrs Munck that included herself and ex-husband Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she noted. “I was honored to direct him in a movie. Indeed, I stand as the only woman ever to helm a film with her ex. I humorously say: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”
Personal Life
She happened to be a family member of Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a major inspiration in my life”.
In 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and advised her life expectancy was six months but made a full recovery after her daughter transferred her to another medical facility.
“If you can take your pain and not let it back up similar to a wound, instead use it to explore, to clarify the journey for personal and collective growth, then you are triumphing,” Ladd remarked.
