Diane Ladd, Celebrated For Her Role in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Dies at the Age of 89.
This Oscar-nominated actor Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran passed away 89 years old.
This star, with credits spanned Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, died at her home in Ojai, California. This announcement was announced in a statement by her daughter, award-winning actress her daughter Laura Dern.
Laura Dern, who appeared with Diane Ladd in several movies like Wild at Heart, called her “my amazing hero and my precious gift being my mom”, writing that she was at her bedside during her final moments.
“She was the most wonderful grandmother, mother, daughter, actress, artist along with compassionate soul that seemed almost dreamlike,” she wrote. “We were lucky to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Initial Roles and Breakthrough
Ladd’s early career included supporting roles in television programs such as Perry Mason while the seventies had her appearing next to the legendary Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.
In the same year, the year 1974, she performed with Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s praised comedy drama the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting earned Ladd her first Oscar nomination as best supporting actress.
Subsequent Years
Throughout the 1980s, she was seen in the dramatic film the movie Black Widow plus humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining the show Alice, a television series inspired by Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the subsequent decade, she received an additional best supporting actress nomination for her performance in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart, a cult classic in which she portrayed the parent of her actual daughter the character played by Dern. The following year she obtained another nomination for her role in the film Rambling Rose which also starred 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 for us,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, grasping our hands, and weeping, seeing us act.”
The nineties featured performances in the comedy Cemetery Club, a film bringing her back with Burstyn, Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, starring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy where she played Dern’s mother another time. That period also brought her Emmy nominations for work on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom plus Touched by an Angel.
Working with Laura Dern
She persisted in performing with Laura Dern in comedy drama Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s Inland Empire, a surreal film and Mike White’s dark comedy series the program Enlightened. She additionally starred with actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in that movie and with Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.
Subsequent TV appearances consisted of Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon.
Behind the Camera
She also authored and directed the comedy Mrs Munck, a film featuring herself and previous spouse actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she mentioned. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a film. Actually, I stand as the only woman in history to direct her ex-husband. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, if you seek payback, guide your former spouse.’ However, I’m joking.”
Personal Life
She happened to be a relative of Tennessee Williams, who she called “a great influence on my life”.
Back in 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with lung disease and advised she had just six months to live yet she recovered completely once her daughter transferred her to another medical facility.
“Should you harness your suffering and prevent it from festering like an injury, instead apply it to discover, to clarify the journey for yourself and others, then you are triumphing,” Ladd remarked.