Acclaimed Actress Diane Ladd, Famed For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Dies at the Age of 89.
The award-nominated actor Diane Ladd passed away at the age of 89.
The star, with credits included Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, left this world in her residence in California’s Ojai. The news was shared through a message shared by her offspring, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern.
Dern, who starred with Diane Ladd in several movies like Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, called her “my amazing hero as well as my special gift as a mother”, stating that she was by her side during her final moments.
“She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist along with caring individual that felt like a dream come true,” she stated. “We were lucky to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”
Early Career and Breakthrough
The start of her career saw supporting roles on television series like The Fugitive whereas that decade saw her starring next to the legendary Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.
In the same year, 1974, she shared the screen with Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s praised comedy drama the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting earned Ladd her first Oscar nomination as best supporting actress.
1980s and Beyond
During the eighties, she appeared in the dramatic film the movie Black Widow plus funny follow-up Christmas Vacation while also joining the sitcom Alice, a television series derived from her earlier movie.
In the following decade, she earned another best supporting actress nomination for her performance in Lynch’s Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the parent of her biological child the character played by Dern. A year later she was awarded a further nomination for her performance in Rambling Rose that also featured Laura Dern.
“This movie which Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she invited us to London for a special screening and a celebration in our honor,” Ladd shared of Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, grasping our hands, and weeping, viewing our performance.”
The 1990s included parts in humorous films Cemetery Club bringing her back with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a comedy about politics, starring John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth where she played Dern’s mother again. Those years also earned her TV award nominations for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.
Working with Laura Dern
She persisted in performing with her daughter in comedy drama Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project the movie Inland Empire and the series by Mike White satirical show Enlightened, a TV series. She also appeared alongside actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian and with Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.
Subsequent TV appearances featured the series Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon.
Behind the Camera
Ladd also wrote and directed the comedy Mrs Munck that included her and previous spouse Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “It was a privilege to guide him on a project. Actually, I am the sole female ever who directed her former husband. I often joke: ‘I advise females, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ But I’m only kidding.”
Personal Connections
She happened to be a family member of playwright Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a great influence in my life”.
Back in 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and informed she only had half a year left but made a full recovery when her daughter transferred her to a new hospital.
“When you use your pain and prevent it from festering similar to a wound, instead use it to explore, to clarify the journey for personal and collective growth, then you are triumphing,” Ladd remarked.