Oscar-Nominated Star Diane Ladd, Famed For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at 89 Years Old.
The Academy Award-nominated performer Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran has died 89 years old.
This actor, whose filmography spanned National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, left this world in her residence in Ojai, California. The news was revealed via an announcement shared by her daughter, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern.
Her daughter, who performed alongside her mother in a number of films including Rambling Rose, described her as “my wonderful hero plus my precious gift being my mom”, writing that she was present during her final moments.
“She was the most wonderful grandmother, mother, daughter, performer, creative and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she wrote. “We were lucky to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Beginnings and Rise to Fame
The start of her career featured small roles on television series such as Gunsmoke and the 1970s featured her performing with the legendary Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.
That very year, the year 1974, she appeared with Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese celebrated dramatic comedy the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role brought Ladd her first Oscar nomination in the supporting actress category.
Later Decades
In the 1980s, she starred in the dramatic film Black Widow as well as comedy sequel Christmas Vacation and also took part in the sitcom Alice, a television series inspired by Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the subsequent decade, she received an additional Oscar nomination for supporting actress nomination for her performance in Lynch’s Wild at Heart, a cult classic in which she portrayed the parent of her real-life daughter the character played by Dern. A year later she was awarded an additional nod for her role in the film Rambling Rose which also starred Laura Dern.
“This was the film which Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she brought us to England for a premiere and an event in our honor,” Ladd said regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, and weeping, seeing us act.”
The 1990s also saw roles in humorous films Cemetery Club, a film joining her again with Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a political comedy, featuring John Travolta and Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth where she played Dern’s mother once more. 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 with her daughter in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and the series by Mike White comedy-drama series Enlightened, a TV series. She also appeared with actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins in that movie plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.
Her more recent television parts consisted of the series Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.
Behind the Camera
She additionally penned and oversaw the comedy the movie Mrs Munck that included Diane Ladd and previous spouse Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is a great actor,” she noted. “It was a privilege to guide him on a project. Actually, I stand as the only woman in recorded history to helm a film with her ex. I humorously say: ‘I advise females, if you want revenge, guide your former spouse.’ However, I’m joking.”
Personal Life
Ladd was also the third cousin of the great Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a great influence in my life”.
Back in 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a respiratory illness and advised she had just six months to live yet she recovered completely once her daughter transferred her to another medical facility.
“If you can take your pain and prevent it from festering similar to a wound, instead apply it to discover, to make the path clearer for personal and collective growth, then you are winning,” Ladd said.
