Diane Ladd, Famed For Her Role in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at the Age of 89.
This Academy Award-nominated performer Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran has died at the age of 89.
This actor, with filmography spanned Chinatown, left this world in her residence in California’s Ojai. The news was shared in a statement by her daughter, award-winning actress Laura Dern, her daughter.
Laura Dern, who starred with her mom in a number of films such as Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my wonderful hero and my special gift of a mother”, stating that she was present during her final moments.
“She was an exceptional grandmother, mother, daughter, actress, artist as well as caring individual that seemed almost dreamlike,” she expressed. “We were fortunate to know her. She is flying with her angels now.”
Early Career and Breakthrough
Her initial acting years featured minor parts in television programs such as The Fugitive and the seventies had her appearing alongside actor Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.
During that year, the year 1974, she appeared with actress Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her role brought Ladd her first Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.
Later Decades
Throughout the 1980s, she was seen in the dramatic film Black Widow, a suspense story as well as humorous film National Lampoon’s holiday comedy while also joining Alice, a sitcom inspired by her earlier movie.
In the following decade, she earned an additional best supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her part in Lynch’s Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the mom of her real-life daughter Laura Dern’s role. The next year she received a further nomination for her performance in Rambling Rose, another movie which included Laura Dern.
“This was the film that Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she invited Laura and I to England for a premiere and a party in our honor,” Ladd shared regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, grasping our hands, with tears, watching us perform.”
The 1990s featured performances in comedy The Cemetery Club reuniting her with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a comedy about politics, starring John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she acted as the mother of Dern again. The decade also brought her nominations for Emmy Awards for performances on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.
Working with Laura Dern
She kept appearing with her daughter in comedy drama Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and Mike White’s dark comedy series the program Enlightened. She also appeared next to actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian and with Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.
Subsequent TV appearances consisted of Ray Donovan, a drama plus Young Sheldon.
Behind the Camera
She additionally penned and oversaw the humorous movie Mrs Munck featuring herself and former husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is a great actor,” she noted. “I’m privileged to have directed him on a project. Indeed, I’m the only woman ever who directed her former husband. I make a joke: ‘I say ladies, if you seek payback, direct your ex-husband.’ However, I’m joking.”
Family Ties
She happened to be the third cousin of Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “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 when her daughter transferred her to a new hospital.
“When you use your pain and not let it back up like an injury, instead use it to discover, to make the path clearer for you and those around, then you are triumphing,” Ladd remarked.