Acclaimed Actress Diane Ladd, Famed For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Dies at the Age of 89.
The Academy Award-nominated actress Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran passed away at the age of 89.
The actress, with roles featured Chinatown, passed away at home at her Ojai, California home. Her passing was revealed via an announcement from her child, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern, her daughter.
Dern, who starred with Diane Ladd in various films such as Wild at Heart, referred to her as “my amazing hero plus my special gift as a mother”, stating that she was present during her final moments.
“She was the most wonderful grandmother, mother, daughter, actress, artist and caring individual that seemed almost dreamlike,” she wrote. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Initial Roles and Major Success
Ladd’s early career included minor parts on television series including The Fugitive whereas that decade had her appearing alongside actor Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.
During that year, 1974, she appeared with actress Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s praised film the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role landed Ladd her first Oscar nomination as best supporting actress.
1980s and Beyond
During the eighties, she appeared in the dramatic film Black Widow, a suspense story and humorous film Christmas Vacation while also joining Alice, a television series derived from the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
During the next ten years, she earned another best supporting actress nomination for her part in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart, a cult classic where she played the mom of her actual daughter Laura Dern’s role. The next year she received a further nomination for her performance in the film Rambling Rose which included Dern.
“This was the picture which Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she invited me and Laura to England for a royal premiere and an event dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled about the film Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, grasping our hands, and weeping, viewing our performance.”
That decade featured performances in comedy Cemetery Club, a film bringing her back with her co-star Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a satirical film, featuring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne the movie Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed Laura Dern’s mom another time. The decade also earned her TV award nominations for performances in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom plus Touched by an Angel.
Collaborations with Daughter
She continued to star alongside her daughter in comedy drama the film Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and White’s comedy-drama series Enlightened, a TV series. She also appeared alongside Sandra Bullock, a star in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in that movie plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.
Her later TV roles consisted of Ray Donovan, a drama plus Young Sheldon.
Filmmaking Ventures
She also authored and oversaw the comedy film Mrs Munck featuring Diane Ladd and previous spouse Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she mentioned. “It was a privilege to guide him in a movie. Indeed, I stand as the only woman ever to helm a film with her ex. I humorously say: ‘I say ladies, should you desire retribution, direct your ex-husband.’ However, I’m joking.”
Personal Life
Ladd was also a family member of the great Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a great influence on my life”.
In 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with a pulmonary condition and advised she only had half a year left 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 like an injury, rather utilize it to explore, to illuminate the way for personal and collective growth, then you are winning,” Ladd expressed.
