Oscar-Nominated Star Diane Ladd, Famed For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Passes Away at Age 89.
This Oscar-nominated performer Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran left us at the age of 89.
The actor, whose roles included Chinatown, passed away at home in California’s Ojai. This announcement was revealed in a statement from her offspring, award-winning actress her daughter Laura Dern.
Laura Dern, who appeared with her mother in a number of films like Wild at Heart, called her “my amazing hero as well as my profound gift being my mom”, noting that she was present when she passed.
“She was an exceptional grandmother, mother, daughter, star, artist and compassionate soul that seemed almost dreamlike,” she wrote. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Beginnings and Rise to Fame
Her initial acting years saw small roles in TV shows like The Fugitive and the 1970s had her appearing alongside Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.
During that year, 1974, she performed with actress Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s celebrated dramatic comedy the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting earned Ladd her initial Oscar nod as best supporting actress.
Later Decades
Throughout the 1980s, she appeared in the thriller Black Widow plus humorous film National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and also took part in Alice, a television series based on the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the subsequent decade, she was given an additional supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her performance in Lynch’s Wild at Heart, a cult classic where she acted as the mother of her real-life daughter Dern’s character. The next year she was awarded an additional nod for her performance in the film Rambling Rose that also featured her daughter.
“This movie that the late Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she brought Laura and I to England for a premiere and a party for us,” Ladd recalled of Rambling Rose. “And she sat between us, taking our hands, with tears, watching us perform.”
The 1990s also saw roles in humorous films Cemetery Club, a film bringing her back with her co-star Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a satirical film, featuring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne the movie Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed the mother of Dern another time. That period also earned her TV award nominations for performances in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom and Touched by an Angel.
Working with Laura Dern
She persisted in performing alongside her daughter in dramatic comedies Daddy and Them, Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and the series by Mike White comedy-drama series Enlightened, a TV series. She also appeared with actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.
Her later TV roles consisted of Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon.
Behind the Camera
Ladd also wrote and oversaw the comedy the movie Mrs Munck that included Diane Ladd and former husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a movie. Actually, I’m the only woman in history to direct her ex-husband. I humorously say: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, guide your former spouse.’ Though I’m just teasing.”
Personal Life
Ladd was also a family member of Tennessee Williams, who she called “a significant impact throughout my life”.
Back in 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with a pulmonary condition and told she had just six months to live but she regained full health after her daughter transferred her to a new hospital.
“When you use your pain and not let it back up like a sore or something, instead apply it to investigate, to clarify the journey for personal and collective growth, then you are triumphing,” Ladd expressed.