Diane Ladd, Known For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at Age 89.
This Oscar-nominated actor Diane Ladd left us at the age of 89.
The star, whose roles featured Chinatown, passed away at home in California’s Ojai. This announcement was shared via an announcement shared by her daughter, award-winning actress Laura Dern.
Dern, who appeared with her mother in various films like Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, called her “my incredible hero plus my special gift being my mom”, writing that she was at her bedside as she died.
“She was the greatest grandmother, mother, daughter, performer, creative as well as caring individual that seemed almost dreamlike,” she wrote. “We were blessed to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Beginnings and Major Success
Her initial acting years included minor parts in television programs like Perry Mason while that decade had her appearing next to actor Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.
That very year, 1974, she shared the screen with actress Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s celebrated film the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The performance brought Ladd her initial Oscar nod for best supporting actress.
1980s and Beyond
In the 1980s, she was seen in crime thriller Black Widow, a suspense story and funny follow-up National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and also took part in Alice, a television series derived from the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
During the next ten years, 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 mom of her real-life daughter Dern’s character. The next year she received a further nomination for her performance in Rambling Rose which also starred Dern.
“This movie which Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she flew us to London for a premiere and a party dedicated to us,” Ladd said of Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, grasping our hands, with tears, seeing us act.”
The 1990s included parts in the comedy Cemetery Club bringing her back with her co-star Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a political comedy, with John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth where she acted as the mother of Dern once more. Those years also saw her score TV award nominations for roles in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.
Partnerships with Her Daughter
She continued to star with Laura Dern in comedy drama Daddy and Them, Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and Mike White’s dark comedy series the program Enlightened. She was also seen alongside Sandra Bullock, a star in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.
Subsequent TV appearances consisted of Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.
Filmmaking Ventures
She additionally penned and helmed the comedy the movie Mrs Munck featuring herself and former husband Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she said. “It was a privilege to guide him in a film. Actually, I stand as the only woman in recorded history who directed her former husband. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, if you seek payback, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”
Personal Connections
She happened to be the third cousin of playwright Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a major inspiration throughout my life”.
In 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with lung disease and advised she had just six months to live but made a full recovery after her daughter transferred her to a new hospital.
“If you can take your pain and prevent it from festering like a sore or something, instead apply it to explore, to illuminate the way for personal and collective growth, then you are winning,” Ladd said.
