Diane Ladd, Known For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at Age 89.
This award-nominated actor the celebrated Diane Ladd left us 89 years old.
The actor, with filmography included Chinatown, left this world in her residence in California’s Ojai. The news was revealed in a statement by her child, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern.
Laura Dern, who appeared with her mom in various films including Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, described her as “my incredible hero and my profound gift being my mom”, stating that she was present during her final moments.
“She was an exceptional mother, daughter, grandmother, actress, artist and compassionate soul that seemed almost dreamlike,” she stated. “We were fortunate to know her. She is now with the angels.”
Early Career and Breakthrough
The start of her career saw minor parts in television programs such as Gunsmoke while the 1970s featured her performing with actor Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.
In the same year, 1974, she appeared with actress Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese praised film the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role brought Ladd her first Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.
Later Decades
In the 1980s, she was seen in crime thriller the movie Black Widow plus comedy sequel National Lampoon’s holiday comedy while also joining the sitcom Alice, a television series derived from the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
During the next ten years, she received an additional best supporting actress nomination for her performance in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart where she acted as the parent of her real-life daughter Laura Dern’s role. A year later she was awarded an additional nod for her performance in the film Rambling Rose which also starred Laura Dern.
“This was the film that Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she flew us to England for a premiere and a party in our honor,” Ladd shared of Rambling Rose. “And she sat between us, taking our hands, and crying, viewing our performance.”
That decade also saw roles in comedy Cemetery Club, a film bringing her back with Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political comedy, featuring John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy in which she portrayed Laura Dern’s mom another time. That period also earned her Emmy nominations for roles on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom plus Touched by an Angel.
Working with Laura Dern
She persisted in performing alongside her daughter in films blending humor and drama the film Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project the movie Inland Empire and White’s comedy-drama series Enlightened, a TV series. She also appeared alongside Sandra Bullock, a star in the film 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian and with Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.
Her later TV roles included Ray Donovan, a drama plus Young Sheldon.
Behind the Camera
Ladd also wrote and oversaw the humorous movie the movie Mrs Munck that included Diane Ladd and previous spouse Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she noted. “I was honored to direct him on a project. Actually, I am the sole female in history to helm a film with her ex. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, guide your former spouse.’ Though I’m just teasing.”
Family Ties
Ladd was also a family member of playwright Tennessee Williams, who she called “a major inspiration on my life”.
Back in 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with lung disease and advised she had just six months to live but made a full recovery once her daughter moved her to a different hospital.
“If you can take your pain and not let it back up similar to a wound, instead apply it to discover, to clarify the journey for you and those around, then you are triumphing,” Ladd said.
