Oscar-Nominated Star Diane Ladd, Celebrated For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at Age 89.
The award-nominated actress Diane Ladd passed away aged 89.
This actress, whose filmography spanned Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, left this world in her residence in California’s Ojai. Her passing was revealed via an announcement shared by her offspring, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern, her daughter.
Her daughter, who performed alongside her mother in several movies such as Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my wonderful hero as well as my profound gift being my mom”, writing that she was present as she died.
“She was the greatest mother, daughter, grandmother, star, artist and caring individual that seemed almost dreamlike,” she expressed. “We were fortunate to know her. She is now with the angels.”
Initial Roles and Breakthrough
Ladd’s early career featured minor parts on television series including Gunsmoke and the 1970s had her appearing alongside actor Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.
That very year, the year 1974, she performed with actress Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s celebrated film the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting landed Ladd her first Oscar nomination as best supporting actress.
Later Decades
During the eighties, she starred in the thriller Black Widow and humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining Alice, a comedy program derived from Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
During the next ten years, she was given an additional Oscar nomination for supporting actress nomination for her role in David Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she played the parent of her biological child Laura Dern’s role. The following year she obtained an additional nod for her acting in the film Rambling Rose which included Dern.
“This movie that Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she invited Laura and I to London for a royal premiere and a celebration dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled of Rambling Rose. “And she sat between us, holding both our hands, and weeping, viewing our performance.”
The nineties also saw roles in the comedy Cemetery Club, a film reuniting her with Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political comedy, starring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth where she played the mother of Dern another time. That period also earned her Emmy nominations for roles on Dr Quinn, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.
Collaborations with Daughter
She continued to star alongside her daughter in dramatic comedies the film Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire, a surreal film and White’s comedy-drama series Enlightened. She also appeared next to Sandra Bullock, a star in the film 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film and with Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.
Subsequent TV appearances included Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon.
Filmmaking Ventures
She also authored and oversaw the comedy film Mrs Munck that included herself and previous spouse Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she noted. “I was honored to direct him on a project. Indeed, I stand as the only woman in recorded history to direct her ex-husband. I make a joke: ‘I say ladies, should you desire retribution, direct your ex-husband.’ But I’m only kidding.”
Family Ties
She happened to be a family member of Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a major inspiration throughout my life”.
During 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and advised she had just six months to live but she regained full health after her daughter transferred her to a new hospital.
“Should you harness your suffering and prevent it from festering like an injury, instead apply it to explore, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are winning,” Ladd remarked.
