Acclaimed Actress Diane Ladd, Famed For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at Age 89.
The award-nominated performer Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran left us at the age of 89.
This actress, whose roles included Chinatown, left this world in her residence at her Ojai, California home. The news was revealed through a message shared by her child, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern.
Her daughter, who starred with Diane Ladd in various films including Wild at Heart, referred to her as “my amazing hero plus my precious gift being my mom”, noting that she was at her bedside during her final moments.
“She was an exceptional daughter, mother, grandmother, star, artist and compassionate soul that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she expressed. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Initial Roles and Rise to Fame
Her initial acting years saw minor parts on television series such as Gunsmoke whereas the seventies had her appearing with Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.
That very year, 1974, she appeared with actress Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting landed Ladd her initial Oscar nod for best supporting actress.
Subsequent Years
In the 1980s, she starred in crime thriller Black Widow, a suspense story and comedy sequel Christmas Vacation and also took part in the sitcom Alice, a comedy program based on the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the subsequent decade, she was given another supporting actress nomination for her performance in David Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she acted as the mother of her biological child the character played by Dern. The next year she received an additional nod for her performance in the film Rambling Rose which included Laura Dern.
“This was the film which Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she brought Laura and I to the UK for a premiere and a party dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, taking our hands, and weeping, watching us perform.”
The 1990s included parts in the comedy The Cemetery Club joining her again with Burstyn, Primary Colors, a satirical film, featuring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne the movie Citizen Ruth where she played Dern’s mother once more. That period also earned her Emmy nominations for work on Dr Quinn, the show Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.
Partnerships with Her Daughter
She kept appearing with Laura Dern in comedy drama Daddy and Them, a movie, David Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and Mike White’s comedy-drama series Enlightened. She additionally starred alongside actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian and Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.
Her later TV roles included Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon.
Filmmaking Ventures
Ladd also wrote and helmed the humorous movie Mrs Munck which starred Diane Ladd and ex-husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she noted. “I was honored to direct him in a movie. Actually, I stand as the only woman in history to helm a film with her ex. I humorously say: ‘I say ladies, should you desire retribution, guide your former spouse.’ However, I’m joking.”
Personal Life
She happened to be a relative of playwright Tennessee Williams, who she called “a great influence throughout my life”.
Back in 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with a pulmonary condition and advised she had just six months to live but she regained full health after her daughter transferred her to a different hospital.
“Should you harness your suffering and not let it back up like an injury, rather utilize it to investigate, to clarify the journey for yourself and others, then you are succeeding,” Ladd said.
