Acclaimed Actress Diane Ladd, Known For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at 89 Years Old.
The award-nominated performer the celebrated Diane Ladd left us at the age of 89.
The actor, whose roles included Chinatown, died at her home in California’s Ojai. This announcement was shared in a statement by her daughter, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern, her daughter.
Her daughter, who performed alongside her mother in a number of films including Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, described her as “my incredible hero plus my precious gift being my mom”, writing that she was at her bedside as she died.
“She was the greatest grandmother, mother, daughter, performer, creative and caring individual that seemed almost dreamlike,” she stated. “We were lucky to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”
Beginnings and Major Success
Ladd’s early career featured minor parts in television programs including The Fugitive and the 1970s had her appearing alongside Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.
During that year, the year 1974, she shared the screen with Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s celebrated dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role landed Ladd her first Oscar nomination as best supporting actress.
1980s and Beyond
During the eighties, she starred in the dramatic film the movie Black Widow and humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and also took part in the show Alice, a comedy program derived from the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the following decade, she earned an additional best supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her role in David 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 role in the film Rambling Rose which included Laura Dern.
“This movie that the late Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she brought Laura and I to England for a premiere and a celebration in our honor,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, and crying, watching us perform.”
The 1990s also saw roles in the comedy Cemetery Club, a film reuniting her with Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a political comedy, featuring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne the movie Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed Dern’s mother another time. That period also earned her nominations for Emmy Awards for roles in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.
Collaborations with Daughter
She continued to star with her daughter in comedy drama Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire, a surreal film and White’s satirical show Enlightened. She was also seen alongside Sandra Bullock, a star in 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian plus Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.
Her later TV roles included Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon.
Filmmaking Ventures
She additionally penned and oversaw the comedy Mrs Munck featuring herself and ex-husband Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she noted. “It was a privilege to guide him on a project. In fact, I stand as the only woman ever to direct her ex-husband. I often joke: ‘I tell women, should you desire retribution, guide your former spouse.’ However, I’m joking.”
Personal Life
She was additionally a family member of playwright Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a great influence on my life”.
Back in 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and told she only had half a year left yet she recovered completely after her daughter moved her to a different hospital.
“If you can take your pain and prevent it from festering like an injury, rather utilize it to discover, to clarify the journey for personal and collective growth, then you are winning,” Ladd remarked.
