Diane Ladd, Known For Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Dies at Age 89.
This award-nominated performer Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran passed away at the age of 89.
This actor, whose credits included National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, left this world in her residence at her Ojai, California home. Her passing was announced in a statement by her daughter, Oscar-winning actor her daughter Laura Dern.
Her daughter, who appeared with Diane Ladd in a number of films like Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my amazing hero and my special gift being my mom”, noting that she was present during her final moments.
“She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, performer, creative and caring individual that seemed almost dreamlike,” she expressed. “We were blessed to have her. She is now with the angels.”
Early Career and Major Success
Her initial acting years saw small roles in television programs such as The Fugitive whereas that decade had her appearing alongside Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.
In the same year, the year 1974, she performed with Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese acclaimed comedy drama the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting landed Ladd her initial Oscar nod in the supporting actress category.
1980s and Beyond
During the eighties, she appeared in the thriller Black Widow, a suspense story as well as funny follow-up National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining the show Alice, a sitcom derived from the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In the subsequent decade, she earned another Oscar nomination for supporting actress nomination for her performance in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart, a cult classic where she acted as the mother of her biological child the character played by Dern. The next year she was awarded a further nomination for her performance in the film Rambling Rose which also starred Dern.
“This movie that the late Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she brought Laura and I to England for a special screening and an event for us,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, taking our hands, and crying, seeing us act.”
The nineties included parts in humorous films Cemetery Club, a film reuniting her with her co-star Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political comedy, featuring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy where she acted as Dern’s mother another time. That period also saw her score nominations for Emmy Awards for performances on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.
Working with Laura Dern
She persisted in performing with her daughter in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, a movie, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and the series by Mike White dark comedy series Enlightened, a TV series. She additionally starred with actress Sandra Bullock in the film 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian and Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.
Subsequent TV appearances featured Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.
Behind the Camera
Ladd also wrote and helmed the comedy Mrs Munck, a film featuring Diane Ladd and ex-husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him on a project. Indeed, I stand as the only woman in history who directed her former husband. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ But I’m only kidding.”
Personal Connections
Ladd was also a family member of playwright Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a significant impact throughout my life”.
In 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with a pulmonary condition and advised she only had half a year left but she regained full health once her daughter moved her to another medical facility.
“If you can take your pain and prevent it from festering like an injury, instead use it to discover, to illuminate the way for you and those around, then you are succeeding,” Ladd expressed.