Diane Ladd, Known For Her Role in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at 89 Years Old.
The Academy Award-nominated actor Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran has died at the age of 89.
The actress, with roles featured National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home in Ojai, California. Her passing was announced through a message shared by her offspring, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern.
Her daughter, who appeared with her mom in a number of films including Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my amazing hero and my profound gift as a mother”, noting that she was present during her final moments.
“She was an exceptional grandmother, mother, daughter, star, artist along with empathetic spirit that felt like a dream come true,” she wrote. “We were fortunate to know her. She is flying with her angels now.”
Initial Roles and Major Success
The start of her career saw small roles on television series like The Fugitive and that decade featured her performing alongside the legendary Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.
In the same year, 1974, she appeared with Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s celebrated film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role landed Ladd her first Oscar nomination in the supporting actress category.
Subsequent Years
Throughout the 1980s, she starred in the thriller Black Widow, a suspense story as well as comedy sequel Christmas Vacation and also took part in the sitcom Alice, a television series derived from her earlier movie.
In the following decade, she was given another supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the mother of her biological child Laura Dern’s role. The following year she was awarded an additional nod for her role in Rambling Rose, another movie that also featured Dern.
“This movie which Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she invited Laura and I to London for a royal premiere and a party dedicated to us,” Ladd said regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, grasping our hands, and crying, watching us perform.”
That decade included parts in the comedy Cemetery Club, a film reuniting her with her co-star Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a satirical film, featuring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she acted as Laura Dern’s mom again. Those years also brought her nominations for Emmy Awards for work on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom and Touched by an Angel, a drama.
Working with Laura Dern
She continued to star with Laura Dern in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, a movie, the David Lynch project Inland Empire and the series by Mike White dark comedy series the program Enlightened. She also appeared next to Sandra Bullock, a star in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in that movie and Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.
Subsequent TV appearances consisted of Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon.
Behind the Camera
She additionally penned and directed the comedy film Mrs Munck that included herself and previous spouse Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a movie. Indeed, I stand as the only woman in history who directed her former husband. I humorously say: ‘I tell women, should you desire retribution, helm a movie with your ex.’ But I’m only kidding.”
Personal Connections
She happened to be the third cousin of Tennessee Williams, who she called “a major inspiration in my life”.
Back in 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with lung disease and informed her life expectancy was six months yet she recovered completely after her daughter moved her to another medical facility.
“When you use your pain and not let it back up similar to a wound, instead apply it to discover, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are winning,” Ladd said.
