Oscar-Nominated Star Diane Ladd, Celebrated For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Dies at 89 Years Old.
This Academy Award-nominated performer Diane Ladd has died aged 89.
This actress, whose filmography featured Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, passed away at home in Ojai, California. The news was revealed via an announcement by her daughter, award-winning actress her daughter Laura Dern.
Laura Dern, who appeared with her mother in several movies including Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, described her as “my wonderful hero plus my profound gift of a mother”, writing that she was by her side during her final moments.
“She was the greatest mother, daughter, grandmother, star, artist as well as empathetic spirit that felt like a dream come true,” she wrote. “We were blessed to have her. She is now with the angels.”
Initial Roles and Rise to Fame
Ladd’s early career saw supporting roles in TV shows like Gunsmoke while the seventies had her appearing next to actor Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.
In the same year, 1974, she performed alongside Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese praised film the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role landed Ladd her initial Oscar nod for best supporting actress.
1980s and Beyond
In the 1980s, she starred in the thriller Black Widow plus funny follow-up Christmas Vacation and also took part in the show Alice, a comedy program based on Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the subsequent decade, she received a further supporting actress nomination for her part in Lynch’s Wild at Heart where she acted as the parent of her actual daughter Dern’s character. The next year she obtained an additional nod for her acting in Rambling Rose which also starred Laura Dern.
“This movie which Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she brought me and Laura to London for a royal premiere and a celebration in our honor,” Ladd shared about the film Rambling Rose. “And she sat between us, taking our hands, and crying, seeing us act.”
The 1990s also saw roles in humorous films Cemetery Club, a film reuniting her with Ellen Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, starring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne the movie Citizen Ruth where she played Laura Dern’s mom once more. That period also earned her TV award nominations for roles on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.
Partnerships with Her Daughter
She continued to star with Laura Dern in dramatic comedies Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire and the series by Mike White comedy-drama series Enlightened, a TV series. She additionally starred with actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in that movie plus Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.
Her later TV roles consisted of Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon.
Filmmaking Ventures
She additionally penned 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. “I was honored to direct him on a project. 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
She was additionally the third cousin of playwright Tennessee Williams, who she called “a great influence on my life”.
Back in 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and told she only had half a year left but she regained full health when her daughter transferred her to a different hospital.
“When you use your pain and prevent it from festering like an injury, instead apply it to explore, to clarify the journey for you and those around, then you are triumphing,” Ladd expressed.
