Oscar-Nominated Star Diane Ladd, Famed For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Dies at 89 Years Old.
The Oscar-nominated performer Diane Ladd has died 89 years old.
This actor, whose filmography spanned National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home in Ojai, California. Her passing was revealed through a message by her offspring, Oscar-winning actor her daughter Laura Dern.
Laura Dern, who starred with Diane Ladd in several movies including Wild at Heart, referred to her as “my wonderful hero and my special gift being my mom”, stating that she was by her side during her final moments.
“She was the most wonderful daughter, mother, grandmother, performer, creative as well as compassionate soul that felt like a dream come true,” she wrote. “We were blessed to have her. She is now with the angels.”
Early Career and Major Success
Her initial acting years saw minor parts in television programs such as Perry Mason while the 1970s saw her starring next to Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.
In the same year, 1974, she shared the screen with actress Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s celebrated film the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The performance brought Ladd her initial Oscar nod for best supporting actress.
Later Decades
In the 1980s, she appeared in the dramatic film Black Widow as well as comedy sequel National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and also took part in the sitcom Alice, a sitcom based on Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the following decade, she received a further supporting actress nomination for her part in Lynch’s Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the parent of her actual daughter the character played by Dern. The next year she received an additional nod for her role in Rambling Rose, another movie which included her daughter.
“This was the film that Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she flew us to England for a special screening and a celebration dedicated to us,” Ladd shared of Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, taking our hands, and weeping, viewing our performance.”
The nineties included parts in the comedy Cemetery Club joining her again with Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a comedy about politics, with John Travolta and Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth where she played Dern’s mother once more. That period also brought her nominations for Emmy Awards for roles in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.
Partnerships with Her Daughter
She persisted in performing with her daughter in dramatic comedies Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and Mike White’s satirical show Enlightened. She was also seen with actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.
Subsequent TV appearances consisted of Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon.
Behind the Camera
Ladd also wrote and helmed the humorous movie the movie Mrs Munck that included herself and previous spouse Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she noted. “I’m privileged to have directed him on a project. In fact, I stand as the only woman in history who directed her former husband. I humorously say: ‘I advise females, should you desire retribution, guide your former spouse.’ Though I’m just teasing.”
Personal Connections
She happened to be the third cousin of Tennessee Williams, who she called “a major inspiration on my life”.
Back in 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with lung disease and advised she only had half a year left but made a full recovery after her daughter moved her to another medical facility.
“Should you harness your suffering and not let it back up like a sore or something, rather utilize it to investigate, to illuminate the way for you and those around, then you are winning,” Ladd expressed.
