Diane Ladd, Celebrated For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at the Age of 89.
The Oscar-nominated actor Diane Ladd has died aged 89.
This actress, whose roles featured Chinatown, passed away at home in Ojai, California. Her passing was revealed in a statement from her child, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern.
Laura Dern, who starred with her mother in several movies including Rambling Rose, called her “my incredible hero and my special gift being my mom”, writing that she was by her side during her final moments.
“She was the most wonderful daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist as well as empathetic spirit that seemed almost dreamlike,” she stated. “We were fortunate to know her. She is now with the angels.”
Initial Roles and Major Success
The start of her career saw minor parts in television programs including Gunsmoke while the 1970s featured her performing alongside the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.
That very year, the year 1974, she shared the screen alongside Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s acclaimed film the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The performance brought Ladd an Academy Award nomination in the supporting actress category.
Subsequent Years
During the eighties, she was seen in the dramatic film Black Widow and comedy sequel Christmas Vacation while also joining the show Alice, a comedy program based on her earlier movie.
In the subsequent decade, she received another best supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her role in David Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she played the parent of her actual daughter Laura Dern’s role. The following year she received an additional nod for her performance in the film Rambling Rose which also starred Laura Dern.
“This was the film which Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she flew Laura and I to the UK for a premiere and a celebration in our honor,” Ladd said regarding Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, taking our hands, and crying, watching us perform.”
The nineties included parts in comedy Cemetery Club, a film joining her again with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, starring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she played Laura Dern’s mom another time. Those years also saw her score TV award nominations for work in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom plus Touched by an Angel.
Working with Laura Dern
She kept appearing with Laura Dern in dramatic comedies the film Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and Mike White’s satirical show Enlightened. She additionally starred with Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian and with Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.
Subsequent TV appearances included Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon.
Behind the Camera
Ladd also wrote and helmed the comedy Mrs Munck, a film that included her and former husband Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she noted. “I’m privileged to have directed him on a project. In fact, I am the sole female ever who directed her former husband. I humorously say: ‘I advise females, should you desire retribution, helm a movie with your ex.’ But I’m only kidding.”
Family Ties
She happened to be the third cousin of Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a great influence on my life”.
During 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with a pulmonary condition and informed she had just six months to live but she regained full health once her daughter moved her to a different hospital.
“Should you harness your suffering and not let it back up similar to a wound, rather utilize it to investigate, to clarify the journey for you and those around, then you are succeeding,” Ladd expressed.
