Acclaimed Actress Diane Ladd, Known For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at 89 Years Old.
The Oscar-nominated actress the celebrated Diane Ladd left us aged 89.
The actress, whose roles included National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, passed away at home in Ojai, California. The news was revealed through a message shared by her child, Oscar-winning actor her daughter Laura Dern.
Her daughter, who appeared with her mother in a number of films like Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, called her “my amazing hero as well as my precious gift being my mom”, stating that she was present when she passed.
“She was the greatest mother, daughter, grandmother, performer, creative and caring individual that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she stated. “We were blessed to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Beginnings and Major Success
Ladd’s early career included minor parts in television programs including The Fugitive whereas the seventies had her appearing alongside Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.
In the same year, the year 1974, she performed with Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s praised dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The performance earned Ladd her initial Oscar nod in the supporting actress category.
Subsequent Years
Throughout the 1980s, she was seen in crime thriller Black Widow and humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining Alice, a sitcom derived from Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the following decade, she received an additional best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role in the David Lynch film the movie Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the parent of her actual daughter the character played by Dern. The following year she obtained an additional nod for her performance in Rambling Rose which also starred Laura Dern.
“This was the picture that the late Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she flew us to the UK for a special screening and an event for us,” Ladd shared regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, taking our hands, and weeping, viewing our performance.”
The 1990s included parts in humorous films The Cemetery Club reuniting her with her co-star Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a comedy about politics, starring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne the movie Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed Dern’s mother again. The decade also saw her score TV award nominations for performances on Dr Quinn, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.
Working with Laura Dern
She continued to star with her daughter in comedy drama Daddy and Them, a movie, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and Mike White’s dark comedy series the program Enlightened. She was also seen next to actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian and Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.
Subsequent TV appearances consisted of Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon.
Behind the Camera
Ladd also wrote and oversaw the comedy film Mrs Munck, a film which starred herself and previous spouse Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “It was a privilege to guide him in a film. In fact, I am the sole female in recorded history to direct her ex-husband. I make a joke: ‘I advise females, if you seek payback, helm a movie with your ex.’ Though I’m just teasing.”
Personal Life
She happened to be the third cousin of playwright Tennessee Williams, who she called “a major inspiration throughout my life”.
During 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with a pulmonary condition and told she only had half a year left yet she recovered completely after her daughter moved her to a new hospital.
“When you use your pain and prevent it from festering similar to a wound, instead apply it to explore, to illuminate the way for personal and collective growth, then you are winning,” Ladd said.
