Acclaimed Actress Diane Ladd, Known For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at the Age of 89.
This Oscar-nominated actress Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran has died aged 89.
The actress, whose credits included Chinatown, left this world in her residence in California’s Ojai. The news was shared through a message shared by her daughter, Oscar-winning actor her daughter Laura Dern.
Dern, who appeared with her mom in various films including Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, called her “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 daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist along with empathetic spirit that seemed almost dreamlike,” she wrote. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Beginnings and Rise to Fame
Her initial acting years included minor parts on television series such as Perry Mason whereas the seventies saw her starring with the legendary Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.
In the same year, the year 1974, she performed with actress Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese acclaimed dramatic comedy the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The performance landed Ladd her initial Oscar nod for best supporting actress.
1980s and Beyond
During the eighties, she appeared in the dramatic film Black Widow, a suspense story plus comedy sequel National Lampoon’s holiday comedy while also joining the show Alice, a sitcom inspired by Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
During the next ten years, she earned an additional best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role in the David Lynch film the movie Wild at Heart where she acted as the mother of her real-life daughter Dern’s character. The following year she was awarded another nomination for her role in Rambling Rose that also featured Laura Dern.
“This was the picture that the late Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she flew Laura and I to the UK for a premiere and a party in our honor,” Ladd recalled of Rambling Rose. “And she sat between us, grasping our hands, and crying, viewing our performance.”
The nineties featured performances in comedy The Cemetery Club joining her again with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political comedy, featuring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed Dern’s mother once more. That period also earned her Emmy nominations for performances in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.
Collaborations with Daughter
She kept appearing alongside her daughter in comedy drama the film Daddy and Them, Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and Mike White’s satirical show Enlightened. She also appeared with Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian and Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.
Her later TV roles featured Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.
Filmmaking Ventures
She also authored and oversaw the humorous movie the movie Mrs Munck featuring herself and previous spouse actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a movie. Indeed, I’m the only woman ever to helm a film with her ex. I make a joke: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, helm a movie with your ex.’ Though I’m just teasing.”
Personal Connections
Ladd was also a relative of Tennessee Williams, who she called “a great influence throughout my life”.
In 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with lung disease and told she had just six months to live but she regained full health once her daughter shifted her to a different hospital.
“Should you harness your suffering and avoid letting it accumulate like a sore or something, rather utilize it to explore, to make the path clearer for you and those around, then you are succeeding,” Ladd expressed.
