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The Oscar-nominated actor the celebrated Diane Ladd has died at the age of 89.

This actress, with credits spanned Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, died at her home at her Ojai, California home. The news was announced through a message from her daughter, award-winning actress Laura Dern, her daughter.

Her daughter, who starred with her mom in a number of films including Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my wonderful hero plus my special gift of a mother”, stating that she was at her bedside when she passed.

“She was the greatest grandmother, mother, daughter, actress, artist along with caring individual that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she stated. “We were fortunate to know her. She is flying with her angels now.”

Initial Roles and Major Success

Ladd’s early career featured small roles in TV shows such as The Fugitive while that decade saw her starring next to the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.

That very year, 1974, she performed alongside Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s acclaimed comedy drama the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role earned Ladd her initial Oscar nod for best supporting actress.

Subsequent Years

Throughout the 1980s, she was seen in the dramatic film Black Widow, a suspense story and comedy sequel Christmas Vacation and appeared on the show Alice, a television series based on Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the following decade, she received an additional best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her part in Lynch’s Wild at Heart where she played the parent of her actual daughter Laura Dern’s role. The next year she obtained a further nomination for her performance in the film Rambling Rose that also featured her daughter.

“This was the picture that Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she flew us to England for a special screening and a celebration dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, and weeping, viewing our performance.”

That decade included parts in the comedy Cemetery Club, a film reuniting her with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, featuring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy where she acted as Laura Dern’s mom again. The decade also saw her score nominations for Emmy Awards for work on Dr Quinn, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.

Working with Laura Dern

She persisted in performing with Laura Dern in comedy drama Daddy and Them, a movie, David Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and White’s comedy-drama series Enlightened, a TV series. She additionally starred alongside Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.

Her later TV roles consisted of Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.

Behind the Camera

She also authored and directed the comedy the movie Mrs Munck featuring her and previous spouse actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I was honored to direct him on a project. In fact, I am the sole female in history to direct her ex-husband. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, if you seek payback, helm a movie with your ex.’ However, I’m joking.”

Personal Connections

She was additionally a relative of Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a significant impact in my life”.

Back in 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with a respiratory illness and told she only had half a year left yet she recovered completely once her daughter moved her to another medical facility.

“When you use your pain and prevent it from festering like an injury, rather utilize it to explore, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are succeeding,” Ladd said.