Diane Ladd, Famed For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Dies at the Age of 89.
This Oscar-nominated actress the celebrated Diane Ladd passed away at the age of 89.
This actress, with roles spanned National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home in Ojai, California. The news was revealed in a statement by her offspring, award-winning actress Laura Dern.
Dern, who performed alongside her mom in various films such as Wild at Heart, described her as “my amazing hero as well as my special gift being my mom”, noting that she was at her bedside as she died.
“She was the most wonderful grandmother, mother, daughter, actress, artist along with compassionate soul that felt like a dream come true,” she stated. “We were blessed to have her. She is now with the angels.”
Beginnings and Major Success
The start of her career saw small roles on television series including Gunsmoke whereas the 1970s had her appearing next to the legendary Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.
During that year, 1974, she shared the screen alongside Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s celebrated comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting brought Ladd an Academy Award nomination in the supporting actress category.
1980s and Beyond
During the eighties, she was seen in crime thriller the movie Black Widow plus comedy sequel National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and appeared on the sitcom Alice, a sitcom based on her earlier movie.
During the next ten years, she was given another Oscar nomination for supporting actress nomination for her performance in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart, a cult classic where she played the mother of her real-life daughter Dern’s character. A year later she was awarded a further nomination for her performance in Rambling Rose which also starred her daughter.
“This was the film which Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she brought us to the UK for a premiere and a celebration for us,” Ladd said of Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, taking our hands, and crying, watching us perform.”
The nineties included parts in comedy The Cemetery Club bringing her back with Ellen Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, featuring John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she acted as the mother of Dern once more. The decade also earned her nominations for Emmy Awards for performances on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.
Working with Laura Dern
She continued to star with Laura Dern in dramatic comedies Daddy and Them, Lynch’s Inland Empire and Mike White’s comedy-drama series the program Enlightened. She was also seen next to Sandra Bullock, a star in the film 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in The World’s Fastest Indian and Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.
Her later TV roles included Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.
Behind the Camera
She also authored and helmed the comedy film Mrs Munck featuring her and ex-husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she mentioned. “I’m privileged to have directed him on a project. Indeed, I’m the only woman in recorded history to helm a film with her ex. I make a joke: ‘I advise females, should you desire retribution, helm a movie with your ex.’ However, I’m joking.”
Personal Connections
Ladd was also the third cousin of playwright Tennessee Williams, who she called “a great influence on my life”.
During 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with lung disease and told she had just six months to live but made a full recovery after her daughter shifted her to another medical facility.
“When you use your pain and avoid letting it accumulate similar to a wound, rather utilize it to investigate, to make the path clearer for yourself and others, then you are triumphing,” Ladd said.