Acclaimed Actress Diane Ladd, Famed For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at Age 89.
The award-nominated actress the celebrated Diane Ladd passed away 89 years old.
This actor, whose roles featured Chinatown, passed away at home in California’s Ojai. Her passing was revealed in a statement from her child, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern, her daughter.
Laura Dern, who starred with Diane Ladd in several movies like Wild at Heart, referred to her as “my wonderful hero plus my precious gift being my mom”, stating that she was present during her final moments.
“She was the greatest mother, daughter, grandmother, star, artist and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she expressed. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Beginnings and Rise to Fame
Her initial acting years featured minor parts in television programs including The Fugitive whereas the seventies had her appearing next to the legendary Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.
That very year, 1974, she shared the screen alongside Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese acclaimed film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role brought Ladd her first Oscar nomination in the supporting actress category.
Later Decades
In the 1980s, she starred in crime thriller the movie Black Widow plus humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining the sitcom Alice, a television series derived from Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the subsequent decade, she received another supporting actress nomination for her performance in Lynch’s Wild at Heart, a cult classic where she acted as the mom of her real-life daughter Dern’s character. A year later she was awarded an additional nod for her acting in Rambling Rose, another movie which included her daughter.
“This was the picture which Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she flew Laura and I to England for a special screening and a party dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled of Rambling Rose. “And she sat between us, holding both our hands, and weeping, watching us perform.”
The nineties also saw roles in comedy Cemetery Club, a film bringing her back with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political comedy, starring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth where she played Laura Dern’s mom another time. Those years also brought her nominations for Emmy Awards for performances in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.
Working with Laura Dern
She kept appearing with Laura Dern in dramatic comedies Daddy and Them, a movie, David Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and Mike White’s comedy-drama series Enlightened. She was also seen with actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Sir Anthony Hopkins in that movie plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.
Her more recent television parts featured the series Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy.
Behind the Camera
She additionally penned and oversaw the comedy film the movie Mrs Munck that included herself and ex-husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she mentioned. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a film. Actually, I am the sole female ever who directed her former husband. I humorously say: ‘I tell women, if you want revenge, helm a movie with your ex.’ However, I’m joking.”
Personal Connections
She happened to be a family member of the great Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a great influence throughout my life”.
Back in 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with a pulmonary condition and informed she only had half a year left but she regained full health once her daughter moved her to another medical facility.
“If you can take your pain and avoid letting it accumulate like an injury, rather utilize it to discover, to clarify the journey for you and those around, then you are succeeding,” Ladd said.
