Diane Ladd, Celebrated For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at Age 89.
This award-nominated actress the celebrated Diane Ladd passed away aged 89.
The star, with filmography featured Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, died at her home in Ojai, California. Her passing was announced through a message shared by her daughter, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern, her daughter.
Laura Dern, who appeared with her mom in a number of films including Rambling Rose, described her as “my wonderful hero plus my profound gift being my mom”, writing that she was by her side during her final moments.
“She was an exceptional grandmother, mother, daughter, actress, artist as well as compassionate soul that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she expressed. “We were blessed to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Her initial acting years included small roles in TV shows like Perry Mason whereas the seventies saw her starring with the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.
In the same year, 1974, she performed with actress Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s praised film the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role brought Ladd an Academy Award nomination in the supporting actress category.
1980s and Beyond
During the eighties, she was seen in the thriller Black Widow and humorous film National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and appeared on Alice, a sitcom derived from her earlier movie.
During the next ten years, she earned another supporting actress nomination for her performance in the David Lynch film the movie Wild at Heart where she played the mother of her biological child Dern’s character. The following year she obtained an additional nod for her performance in Rambling Rose that also featured Laura Dern.
“This was the picture which Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she brought me and Laura to London for a special screening and a party dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled about the film Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, with tears, viewing our performance.”
That decade also saw roles in the comedy The Cemetery Club bringing her back with Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a political comedy, starring John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy where she acted as Dern’s mother once more. That period also brought her Emmy nominations for performances in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.
Working with Laura Dern
She continued to star with Laura Dern in dramatic comedies Daddy and Them, a movie, the David Lynch project the movie Inland Empire and Mike White’s comedy-drama series Enlightened, a TV series. She additionally starred next to Sandra Bullock, a star in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in that movie and with Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.
Her more recent television parts included Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon.
Filmmaking Ventures
She additionally penned and helmed the comedy Mrs Munck that included herself and ex-husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is a great actor,” she noted. “I was honored to direct him on a project. In fact, I stand as the only woman in recorded history to direct her ex-husband. I often joke: ‘I tell women, if you want revenge, helm a movie with your ex.’ But I’m only kidding.”
Family Ties
She was additionally the third cousin of the great Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a significant impact on my life”.
In 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with lung disease and told she had just six months to live yet she recovered completely once her daughter shifted her to another medical facility.
“If you can take your pain and prevent it from festering like a sore or something, instead use it to explore, to make the path clearer for personal and collective growth, then you are winning,” Ladd remarked.
