Acclaimed Actress Diane Ladd, Celebrated For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Dies at Age 89.
The award-nominated actress Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran passed away aged 89.
This star, with roles included National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home in Ojai, California. The news was shared via an announcement from her child, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern.
Laura Dern, who performed alongside her mother in various films including Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, described her as “my amazing hero as well as my special gift being my mom”, stating that she was by her side as she died.
“She was an exceptional mother, daughter, grandmother, actress, artist and empathetic spirit that seemed almost dreamlike,” she stated. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Initial Roles and Rise to Fame
The start of her career saw small roles in TV shows such as The Fugitive whereas the 1970s featured her performing alongside the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.
During that year, 1974, she appeared alongside Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese praised comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her acting earned Ladd her first Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.
Subsequent Years
In the 1980s, she starred in the thriller Black Widow as well as funny follow-up National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and also took part in the show Alice, a television series based on Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the following decade, she was given a further Oscar nomination for supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her performance in Lynch’s Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the mom of her actual daughter Laura Dern’s role. The following year she was awarded another nomination for her performance in the film Rambling Rose which also starred her daughter.
“This was the picture that Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she flew us to England for a special screening and a celebration dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, taking our hands, and crying, watching us perform.”
The 1990s included parts in humorous films Cemetery Club, a film bringing her back with Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a satirical film, starring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed Dern’s mother once more. The decade also brought her nominations for Emmy Awards for roles in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.
Working with Laura Dern
She continued to star with her daughter in comedy drama the film Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and the series by Mike White satirical show Enlightened, a TV series. She additionally starred 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.
Filmmaking Ventures
Ladd also wrote and oversaw the comedy film the movie Mrs Munck that included her and ex-husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a film. Indeed, I am the sole female in history to helm a film with her ex. I make a joke: ‘I advise females, should you desire retribution, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”
Personal Connections
She happened to be a family member of playwright Tennessee Williams, who she called “a major inspiration in my life”.
Back in 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a pulmonary condition and informed she only had half a year left but she regained full health after her daughter shifted her to a different hospital.
“When you use your pain and avoid letting it accumulate like a sore or something, instead use it to discover, to clarify the journey for you and those around, then you are succeeding,” Ladd expressed.
