Diane Ladd, Famed For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Passes Away at the Age of 89.
This Oscar-nominated actress the celebrated Diane Ladd passed away aged 89.
The star, whose credits spanned Chinatown, passed away at home at her Ojai, California home. The news was shared via an announcement from her offspring, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern.
Dern, who starred with Diane Ladd in a number of films such as Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my amazing hero plus my profound gift as a mother”, noting that she was present during her final moments.
“She was an exceptional mother, daughter, grandmother, actress, artist along with empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she stated. “We were lucky to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Beginnings and Breakthrough
Her initial acting years included minor parts in television programs like Perry Mason whereas the seventies saw her starring next to the legendary Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.
In the same year, 1974, she performed with actress Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s celebrated dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. The performance landed Ladd her initial Oscar nod as best supporting actress.
1980s and Beyond
During the eighties, she starred in the thriller the movie Black Widow as well as comedy sequel Christmas Vacation and also took part in Alice, a sitcom inspired by the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the following decade, she earned a further supporting actress nomination for her part in the David Lynch film the movie Wild at Heart where she played the mother of her biological child Dern’s character. The following year she was awarded an additional nod for her acting in the film Rambling Rose that also featured her daughter.
“This was the film that Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she flew Laura and I to England for a special screening and a party in our honor,” Ladd said regarding Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, grasping our hands, and weeping, watching us perform.”
The nineties included parts in humorous films The 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 Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom plus Touched by an Angel.
Working with Laura Dern
She persisted in performing alongside her daughter in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and White’s dark comedy series Enlightened. She was also seen next to Sandra Bullock, a star in 28 Days, a movie, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film and with Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.
Subsequent TV appearances featured Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon, a comedy.
Writing and Directing
She additionally penned and helmed the comedy Mrs Munck which starred Diane Ladd and former husband Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she noted. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a film. In fact, I’m the only woman ever to helm a film with her ex. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, if you seek payback, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”
Personal Life
She happened to be the third cousin of Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a major inspiration in my life”.
Back in 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with a respiratory illness and advised her life expectancy was six months but she regained full health when her daughter transferred her to a new hospital.
“If you can take your pain and not let it back up like an injury, rather utilize it to explore, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are winning,” Ladd expressed.
