Acclaimed Actress Diane Ladd, Celebrated For Her Role in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at Age 89.
This award-nominated performer the celebrated Diane Ladd has died aged 89.
The actor, with filmography spanned Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, left this world in her residence in Ojai, California. Her passing was shared through a message from her offspring, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern.
Dern, who starred with Diane Ladd in several movies such as Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, described her as “my incredible hero and my profound gift being my mom”, writing that she was present when she passed.
“She was the most wonderful grandmother, mother, daughter, star, artist as well as caring individual that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she wrote. “We were lucky to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Initial Roles and Rise to Fame
Ladd’s early career saw supporting roles in television programs like Gunsmoke whereas the 1970s had her appearing alongside actor Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.
In the same year, the year 1974, she appeared with Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s praised dramatic comedy the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting brought Ladd her first Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.
1980s and Beyond
During the eighties, she appeared in the thriller the movie Black Widow as well as comedy sequel Christmas Vacation and appeared on the sitcom Alice, a sitcom derived from the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the following decade, she received another best supporting actress nomination for her part in the David Lynch film the movie Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the mother of her real-life daughter Laura Dern’s role. A year later she was awarded a further nomination for her performance in Rambling Rose which included her daughter.
“This was the picture which Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she flew Laura and I to the UK for a premiere and a celebration in our honor,” Ladd said regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, grasping our hands, and weeping, seeing us act.”
That decade also saw roles in humorous films Cemetery Club, a film reuniting her with Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political comedy, starring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy in which she portrayed Laura Dern’s mom another time. Those years also earned her TV award nominations for work in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.
Working with Laura Dern
She persisted in performing with Laura Dern in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire and White’s dark comedy series Enlightened, a TV series. She was also seen alongside actress Sandra Bullock in the film 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian and Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.
Subsequent TV appearances consisted of Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon, a comedy.
Behind the Camera
She also authored and helmed the humorous movie the movie Mrs Munck which starred herself and previous spouse Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she said. “It was a privilege to guide him on a project. In fact, I am the sole female ever who directed her former husband. I make a joke: ‘I say ladies, if you seek payback, direct your ex-husband.’ But I’m only kidding.”
Personal Life
She was additionally a relative of the great Tennessee Williams, who she called “a major inspiration in my life”.
During 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with a pulmonary condition and informed her life expectancy was six months but made a full recovery when her daughter shifted her to a different hospital.
“When you use your pain and not let it back up like an injury, instead apply it to discover, to clarify the journey for yourself and others, then you are winning,” Ladd remarked.
