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The award-nominated actor the celebrated Diane Ladd left us at the age of 89.

This star, with roles spanned Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, died at her home in California’s Ojai. This announcement was revealed through a message by her child, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern, her daughter.

Laura Dern, who appeared with her mom in a number of films such as Wild at Heart, called her “my wonderful hero as well as my profound gift as a mother”, noting that she was by her side during her final moments.

“She was the greatest mother, daughter, grandmother, actress, artist along with compassionate soul that seemed almost dreamlike,” she expressed. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.”

Beginnings and Breakthrough

The start of her career included supporting roles on television series such as Perry Mason and the seventies featured her performing next to actor Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.

That very year, the year 1974, she appeared with actress Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese acclaimed comedy drama the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The performance landed Ladd an Academy Award nomination in the supporting actress category.

Subsequent Years

Throughout the 1980s, she starred in crime thriller Black Widow, a suspense story as well as humorous film Christmas Vacation and also took part in Alice, a comedy program derived from Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the subsequent decade, she received another best supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her performance in David Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she played the mother of her biological child Dern’s character. A year later she was awarded an additional nod for her performance in the film Rambling Rose that also featured Laura Dern.

“This was the picture that the late Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she invited us to England for a special screening and a celebration for us,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, taking our hands, with tears, seeing us act.”

The 1990s included parts in humorous films The Cemetery Club reuniting her with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a comedy about politics, featuring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy in which she portrayed Dern’s mother again. Those years also saw her score TV award nominations for work in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.

Working with Laura Dern

She kept appearing alongside her daughter in comedy drama Daddy and Them, a movie, David Lynch’s Inland Empire, a surreal film and White’s satirical show Enlightened, a TV series. She also appeared alongside Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in that movie plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.

Subsequent TV appearances consisted of Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Filmmaking Ventures

She also authored and helmed the humorous movie Mrs Munck which starred herself and former husband Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she noted. “It was a privilege to guide him in a movie. Actually, I’m the only woman in recorded history to direct her ex-husband. I often joke: ‘I tell women, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ But I’m only kidding.”

Personal Life

She was additionally a family member of the great Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a significant impact on my life”.

Back in 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and advised she had just six months to live yet she recovered completely once her daughter moved her to another medical facility.

“When you use your pain and not let it back up like a sore or something, instead use it to explore, to clarify the journey for you and those around, then you are winning,” Ladd said.