Diane Ladd, Celebrated For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Passes Away at Age 89.

The award-nominated actress the celebrated Diane Ladd has died aged 89.

This actor, with credits included Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, passed away at home at her Ojai, California home. This announcement was shared through a message from her offspring, Academy Award-winning star her daughter Laura Dern.

Laura Dern, who performed alongside her mom in a number of films such as Rambling Rose, described her as “my wonderful hero and my precious gift as a mother”, stating that she was by her side during her final moments.

“She was an exceptional mother, daughter, grandmother, actress, artist along with empathetic spirit that seemed almost dreamlike,” she expressed. “We were lucky to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”

Early Career and Major Success

Ladd’s early career saw minor parts in television programs including Perry Mason whereas the 1970s had her appearing with the legendary Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.

In the same year, the year 1974, she appeared with Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s celebrated film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The performance landed Ladd her first Oscar nomination as best supporting actress.

Later Decades

In the 1980s, she was seen in the thriller Black Widow and humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining Alice, a sitcom inspired by the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

During the next ten years, she was given an additional Oscar nomination for supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her role in Lynch’s Wild at Heart, a cult classic in which she portrayed the parent of her biological child the character played by Dern. A year later she obtained another nomination for her performance in Rambling Rose which also starred Dern.

“This was the picture that Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she flew me and Laura to England for a special screening and a party dedicated to us,” Ladd shared regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, and crying, seeing us act.”

The nineties included parts in humorous films Cemetery Club bringing her back with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a satirical film, starring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy where she played Laura Dern’s mom again. The decade also saw her score TV award nominations for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.

Collaborations with Daughter

She continued to star with her daughter in dramatic comedies the film Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and Mike White’s satirical show the program Enlightened. She additionally starred next to Sandra Bullock, a star in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins in that movie and Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances included the series Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.

Writing and Directing

She also authored and helmed the comedy Mrs Munck featuring herself and former husband Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she mentioned. “I’m privileged to have directed him on a project. In fact, I am the sole female in recorded history to direct her ex-husband. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ However, I’m joking.”

Personal Life

Ladd was also the third cousin of the great Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a significant impact in my life”.

During 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a pulmonary condition and informed she only had half a year left but she regained full health once her daughter shifted her to a new hospital.

“If you can take your pain and prevent it from festering like an injury, instead use it to investigate, to clarify the journey for personal and collective growth, then you are succeeding,” Ladd remarked.