Diane Ladd, Celebrated For Her Role in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at 89 Years Old.
The Academy Award-nominated performer the celebrated Diane Ladd passed away 89 years old.
This actress, with roles included National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home at her Ojai, California home. This announcement was shared in a statement shared by her daughter, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern.
Laura Dern, who appeared with her mom in a number of films like Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, described her as “my wonderful hero and my special gift being my mom”, stating that she was at her bedside when she passed.
“She was an exceptional mother, daughter, grandmother, star, artist and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she wrote. “We were lucky to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”
Beginnings and Major Success
Her initial acting years included small roles in television programs such as The Fugitive whereas the 1970s saw her starring with Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.
In the same year, 1974, she appeared with Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s celebrated film the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting earned Ladd her first Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.
Subsequent Years
In the 1980s, she was seen in the dramatic film Black Widow and funny follow-up National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and also took part in the show Alice, a sitcom derived from Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the following decade, she earned a further supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her part in Lynch’s Wild at Heart, a cult classic in which she portrayed the mother of her actual daughter Laura Dern’s role. The next year she was awarded another nomination for her role in Rambling Rose which included Laura Dern.
“This was the film which Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she flew Laura and I to the UK for a royal premiere and a party in our honor,” Ladd shared regarding Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, grasping our hands, with tears, watching us perform.”
The 1990s featured performances in the comedy The Cemetery Club joining her again with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, featuring John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth where she acted as Dern’s mother again. That period also brought her TV award nominations for work in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.
Working with Laura Dern
She kept appearing with her daughter in films blending humor and drama the film Daddy and Them, Lynch’s Inland Empire, a surreal film and White’s dark comedy series the program Enlightened. She was also seen alongside Sandra Bullock, a star in 28 Days, a movie, Sir Anthony Hopkins in that movie plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.
Her more recent television parts consisted of the series Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.
Behind the Camera
She additionally penned and directed the comedy film the movie Mrs Munck that included her and previous spouse actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she noted. “It was a privilege to guide him in a movie. Actually, I am the sole female in recorded history who directed her former husband. I make a joke: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ But I’m only kidding.”
Personal Connections
Ladd was also a family member of Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a significant impact in my life”.
Back in 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a respiratory illness and informed her life expectancy was six months yet she recovered completely when her daughter moved her to another medical facility.
“When you use your pain and prevent it from festering like a sore or something, instead use it to discover, to make the path clearer for you and those around, then you are winning,” Ladd expressed.
