Oscar-Nominated Star Diane Ladd, Celebrated For Her Role in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at 89 Years Old.
This Academy Award-nominated actor the celebrated Diane Ladd passed away aged 89.
This actor, whose roles included Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, passed away at home in Ojai, California. The news was revealed through a message from her daughter, award-winning actress Laura Dern.
Laura Dern, who appeared with her mother in a number of films including Wild at Heart, referred to her as “my amazing hero and my profound gift being my mom”, stating that she was at her bedside during her final moments.
“She was an exceptional daughter, mother, grandmother, star, artist and empathetic spirit that seemed almost dreamlike,” she stated. “We were blessed to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Initial Roles and Rise to Fame
The start of her career saw minor parts in television programs like The Fugitive whereas the seventies had her appearing with the legendary Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.
That very year, 1974, she appeared alongside Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed comedy drama the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role earned Ladd her first Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.
1980s and Beyond
During the eighties, she appeared in crime thriller Black Widow as well as humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining the sitcom Alice, a comedy program based on her earlier movie.
During the next ten years, she earned a further best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her performance in Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she played the mother of her real-life daughter Dern’s character. The following year she received an additional nod for her role in Rambling Rose, another movie which included Laura Dern.
“This was the picture that the late Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she invited Laura and I to the UK for a premiere and an event for us,” Ladd shared of Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, taking our hands, and weeping, watching us perform.”
The 1990s also saw roles in comedy Cemetery Club joining her again with her co-star Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a satirical film, featuring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed Dern’s mother once more. Those years also earned her Emmy nominations for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire 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 Inland Empire, a surreal film and Mike White’s satirical show Enlightened, a TV series. She was also seen alongside Sandra Bullock, a star in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins in that movie plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.
Her more recent television parts included the series Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon.
Filmmaking Ventures
She additionally penned and directed the comedy the movie Mrs Munck that included her and former husband Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she mentioned. “It was a privilege to guide him on a project. Indeed, I stand as the only woman in history to direct her ex-husband. I humorously say: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”
Personal Connections
Ladd was also a family member of Tennessee Williams, who she called “a great influence on my life”.
During 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with lung disease and advised her life expectancy was six months but made a full recovery once her daughter shifted her to another medical facility.
“When you use your pain and prevent it from festering like a sore or something, rather utilize it to investigate, to make the path clearer for you and those around, then you are succeeding,” Ladd expressed.
