Diane Ladd, Celebrated For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Dies at the Age of 89.
This Oscar-nominated actress the celebrated Diane Ladd left us 89 years old.
The star, with credits featured Chinatown, left this world in her residence at her Ojai, California home. Her passing was revealed through a message shared by her daughter, Oscar-winning actor her daughter Laura Dern.
Her daughter, who performed alongside her mother in a number of films such as Rambling Rose, described her as “my incredible hero plus my precious gift as a mother”, stating that she was by her side as she died.
“She was an exceptional mother, daughter, grandmother, star, artist and caring individual that seemed almost dreamlike,” she expressed. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Beginnings and Rise to Fame
Ladd’s early career included small roles in TV shows such as The Fugitive and the 1970s had her appearing next to the legendary Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.
In the same year, the year 1974, she shared the screen with actress Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting brought Ladd an Academy Award nomination in the supporting actress category.
Later Decades
During the eighties, she was seen in crime thriller Black Widow plus funny follow-up National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and appeared on Alice, a television series inspired by her earlier movie.
In the following decade, she received another best supporting actress nomination for her performance in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart where she played the mother of her biological child the character played by Dern. A year later she was awarded another nomination for her performance in the film Rambling Rose which also starred her daughter.
“This movie that Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she invited me and Laura to the UK for a special screening and a celebration in our honor,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, and crying, seeing us act.”
The nineties also saw roles in humorous films The Cemetery Club bringing her back with Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a comedy about politics, with John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth where she acted as Laura Dern’s mom again. Those years also earned her nominations for Emmy Awards for work on Dr Quinn, the show Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.
Partnerships with Her Daughter
She kept appearing with her daughter in films blending humor and drama the film Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire and Mike White’s satirical show Enlightened. She additionally starred with Sandra Bullock in the film 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in The World’s Fastest Indian plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.
Subsequent TV appearances included Ray Donovan, a drama plus Young Sheldon.
Behind the Camera
She additionally penned and oversaw the comedy film Mrs Munck, a film that included Diane Ladd and previous spouse Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she noted. “I was honored to direct him in a movie. In fact, I am the sole female ever who directed her former husband. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, guide your former spouse.’ Though I’m just teasing.”
Personal Connections
Ladd was also a relative of Tennessee Williams, who she called “a significant impact in my life”.
In 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with lung disease and informed she had just six months to live but made a full recovery after her daughter transferred her to another medical facility.
“Should you harness your suffering and not let it back up like an injury, instead apply it to explore, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are winning,” Ladd remarked.
