Diane Ladd, Celebrated For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at the Age of 89.
The award-nominated actor Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran passed away 89 years old.
This actor, whose filmography included National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, left this world in her residence in Ojai, California. This announcement was shared in a statement shared by her offspring, Academy Award-winning star her daughter Laura Dern.
Laura Dern, who starred with her mother in several movies such as Wild at Heart, described her as “my amazing hero as well as my special gift of a mother”, writing that she was present during her final moments.
“She was an exceptional mother, daughter, grandmother, star, artist and compassionate soul that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she expressed. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Beginnings and Major Success
The start of her career saw minor parts in television programs including The Fugitive whereas the seventies featured her performing alongside the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.
During that year, 1974, she shared the screen alongside Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s acclaimed comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her acting landed Ladd an Academy Award nomination as best supporting actress.
Subsequent Years
In the 1980s, she starred in the thriller the movie Black Widow plus comedy sequel National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and appeared on the show Alice, a comedy program based on her earlier movie.
During the next ten years, she earned another best supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her part in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart, a cult classic where she acted as the mother of her biological child the character played by Dern. The next year she received another nomination for her role in Rambling Rose, another movie that also featured her daughter.
“This movie that the late Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she brought me and Laura to London for a premiere and a celebration in our honor,” Ladd said of Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, grasping our hands, with tears, watching us perform.”
The nineties featured performances in comedy Cemetery Club bringing her back with her co-star Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a satirical film, starring John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth where she played Laura Dern’s mom again. Those years 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.
Working with Laura Dern
She continued to star with her daughter in comedy drama Daddy and Them, a movie, Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and Mike White’s satirical show Enlightened, a TV series. She also appeared next to Sandra Bullock, a star in 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in that movie plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.
Her more recent television parts featured Ray Donovan, a drama plus Young Sheldon.
Behind the Camera
She also authored and directed the comedy film the movie Mrs Munck featuring herself and former husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she said. “I was honored to direct him in a film. In fact, I’m the only woman ever to helm a film with her ex. I make a joke: ‘I say ladies, should you desire retribution, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”
Family Ties
She happened to be a family member of the great Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a great influence in my life”.
During 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with a respiratory illness and informed she only had half a year left yet she recovered completely when her daughter shifted her to a different hospital.
“When you use your pain and not let it back up like a sore or something, instead use it to investigate, to clarify the journey for yourself and others, then you are succeeding,” Ladd remarked.
