Acclaimed Actress Diane Ladd, Known For Her Role in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at Age 89.

The award-nominated actress Diane Ladd has died aged 89.

The star, whose filmography included Chinatown, died at her home in California’s Ojai. The news was shared through a message shared by her offspring, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern, her daughter.

Her daughter, who performed alongside Diane Ladd in several movies like Wild at Heart, described her as “my incredible hero plus my precious gift being my mom”, writing that she was present as she died.

“She was the greatest mother, daughter, grandmother, actress, artist as well as caring individual that felt like a dream come true,” she wrote. “We were blessed to have her. She is now with the angels.”

Initial Roles and Major Success

The start of her career saw minor parts in television programs like The Fugitive while the 1970s had her appearing next to the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.

During that year, the year 1974, she appeared with actress Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s praised film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The performance landed Ladd an Academy Award nomination as best supporting actress.

1980s and Beyond

Throughout the 1980s, she was seen in the dramatic film Black Widow as well as comedy sequel Christmas Vacation while also joining the sitcom Alice, a television series inspired by the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the subsequent decade, she earned an additional supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her role in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart where she played the mom of her real-life daughter the character played by Dern. The next year she obtained an additional nod for her performance in Rambling Rose which also starred Dern.

“This was the film which Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she invited us to the UK for a royal premiere and a celebration in our honor,” Ladd recalled about the film Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, holding both our hands, and weeping, seeing us act.”

The 1990s also saw roles in humorous films The Cemetery Club reuniting her with Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a political comedy, with John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy where she played Dern’s mother again. The decade also earned her TV award nominations for roles on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom plus Touched by an Angel.

Partnerships with Her Daughter

She persisted in performing with her daughter in dramatic comedies Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and the series by Mike White dark comedy series the program Enlightened. She additionally starred with actress Sandra Bullock in the film 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film and with Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.

Her more recent television parts included the series Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Writing and Directing

Ladd also wrote and helmed the humorous movie Mrs Munck, a film that included her and ex-husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is a great actor,” she said. “It was a privilege to guide him on a project. Indeed, I am the sole female in recorded history who directed her former husband. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, should you desire retribution, guide your former spouse.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Personal Life

Ladd was also a family member of Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a major inspiration in my life”.

In 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and advised she only had half a year left yet she recovered completely after her daughter shifted her to a new hospital.

“If you can take your pain and not let it back up similar to a wound, rather utilize it to explore, to clarify the journey for personal and collective growth, then you are winning,” Ladd remarked.