Oscar-Nominated Star Diane Ladd, Known For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at the Age of 89.

The award-nominated actor Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran passed away aged 89.

The actor, whose filmography spanned Chinatown, passed away at home at her Ojai, California home. Her passing was shared via an announcement shared by her offspring, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern, her daughter.

Laura Dern, who performed alongside Diane Ladd in several movies including Rambling Rose, described her as “my amazing hero as well as my special gift of a mother”, writing that she was at her bedside as she died.

“She was an exceptional daughter, mother, grandmother, performer, creative as well as compassionate soul that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she stated. “We were lucky to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”

Beginnings and Major Success

Her initial acting years included small roles in television programs including Gunsmoke while the 1970s saw her starring alongside the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.

In the same year, 1974, she appeared with Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese acclaimed dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The performance landed Ladd her initial Oscar nod in the supporting actress category.

Subsequent Years

In the 1980s, she appeared in the thriller Black Widow, a suspense story as well as comedy sequel Christmas Vacation and appeared on Alice, a sitcom based on the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the subsequent decade, she was given an additional supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her performance in Lynch’s Wild at Heart where she acted as the parent of her real-life daughter Dern’s character. The following year she received a further nomination for her performance in Rambling Rose that also featured Laura Dern.

“This was the film that Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she flew Laura and I to England for a premiere and a celebration for us,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, grasping our hands, with tears, seeing us act.”

The nineties featured performances in comedy Cemetery Club bringing her back with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a satirical film, starring John Travolta and Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth where she played Dern’s mother again. That period also brought her Emmy nominations for performances in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.

Partnerships with Her Daughter

She persisted in performing alongside her daughter in dramatic comedies Daddy and Them, a movie, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and White’s satirical show Enlightened. She was also seen next to actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian and Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances consisted of Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon.

Filmmaking Ventures

She additionally penned and helmed the comedy Mrs Munck, a film featuring herself and ex-husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she mentioned. “I was honored to direct him in a film. In fact, I stand as the only woman in history to direct her ex-husband. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, helm a movie with your ex.’ But I’m only kidding.”

Family Ties

She was additionally a family member of playwright Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a great influence on my life”.

Back in 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and told her life expectancy was six months yet she recovered completely once her daughter transferred her to a different hospital.

“If you can take your pain and prevent it from festering like a sore or something, instead apply it to investigate, to make the path clearer for yourself and others, then you are winning,” Ladd remarked.