Oscar-Nominated Star Diane Ladd, Famed For Her Role in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at 89 Years Old.
The Academy Award-nominated performer Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran has died 89 years old.
This actress, whose credits featured Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, died at her home at her Ojai, California home. This announcement was announced through a message from her child, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern.
Dern, who appeared with Diane Ladd in several movies like Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, called her “my wonderful hero and my profound gift being my mom”, noting that she was by her side as she died.
“She was an exceptional mother, daughter, grandmother, actress, artist along with empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she wrote. “We were lucky to have her. She is now with the angels.”
Early Career and Major Success
The start of her career included small roles in television programs like The Fugitive whereas the 1970s saw her starring next to Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.
In the same year, 1974, she appeared alongside Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s praised dramatic comedy the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting brought Ladd her first Oscar nomination as best supporting actress.
Later Decades
In the 1980s, she appeared in the dramatic film Black Widow, a suspense story plus comedy sequel National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and appeared on the show Alice, a television series derived from the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the following decade, she was given a further Oscar nomination for supporting actress nomination for her performance in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the parent of her actual daughter Laura Dern’s role. The following year she obtained a further nomination for her performance in the film Rambling Rose which also starred Laura Dern.
“This was the picture which Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she flew us to the UK for a royal premiere and a party for us,” Ladd said regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, grasping our hands, and weeping, seeing us act.”
The nineties included parts in humorous films Cemetery Club, a film reuniting her with her co-star Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a satirical film, featuring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy where she played the mother of Dern once more. That period also saw her score TV award nominations for roles in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom and Touched by an Angel.
Partnerships with Her Daughter
She continued to star alongside her daughter in dramatic comedies Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and Mike White’s dark comedy series Enlightened. She also appeared alongside actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins in that movie and with Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.
Subsequent TV appearances consisted of the series Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.
Writing and Directing
She additionally penned and directed the humorous movie Mrs Munck which starred herself and ex-husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is a talented star,” she noted. “It was a privilege to guide him in a film. Indeed, I am the sole female in recorded history to direct her ex-husband. I humorously say: ‘I advise females, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ But I’m only kidding.”
Family Ties
Ladd was also the third cousin of Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a major inspiration on my life”.
In 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and told her life expectancy was six months but made a full recovery once her daughter moved her to a new hospital.
“When you use your pain and prevent it from festering similar to a wound, instead use it to explore, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are succeeding,” Ladd said.
