Oscar-Nominated Star Diane Ladd, Known For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Dies at Age 89.

This Academy Award-nominated actress Diane Ladd left us at the age of 89.

The actor, whose roles included Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, died at her home in California’s Ojai. Her passing was announced via an announcement from her child, award-winning actress Laura Dern, her daughter.

Laura Dern, who starred with her mother in a number of films including Wild at Heart, described her as “my wonderful hero plus my precious gift as a mother”, writing that she was at her bedside when she passed.

“She was the most wonderful daughter, mother, grandmother, performer, creative as well as compassionate soul that felt like a dream come true,” she expressed. “We were blessed to have her. She is now with the angels.”

Early Career and Rise to Fame

Ladd’s early career included minor parts in TV shows such as The Fugitive and that decade had her appearing with actor Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.

In the same year, 1974, she performed with actress Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese acclaimed comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role brought Ladd her first Oscar nomination in the supporting actress category.

1980s and Beyond

During the eighties, she was seen in the thriller Black Widow, a suspense story plus comedy sequel National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and appeared on Alice, a television series based on the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the following decade, she earned a further best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role in Lynch’s Wild at Heart, a cult classic where she played the mother of her real-life daughter Laura Dern’s role. The following year she obtained another nomination for her performance in the film Rambling Rose which also starred her daughter.

“This was the picture that Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she brought me and Laura to England for a royal premiere and an event dedicated to us,” Ladd shared about the film Rambling Rose. “And she sat between us, grasping our hands, with tears, seeing us act.”

That decade included parts in the comedy The Cemetery Club bringing her back with her co-star Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a political comedy, featuring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth where she acted as Laura Dern’s mom again. The decade also earned her Emmy nominations for roles in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.

Working with Laura Dern

She kept appearing with her daughter in dramatic comedies Daddy and Them, a movie, Lynch’s Inland Empire, a surreal film and White’s satirical show the program Enlightened. She was also seen alongside actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in that movie plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.

Her later TV roles featured Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon.

Behind the Camera

Ladd also wrote and directed the humorous movie the movie Mrs Munck featuring herself and former husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she mentioned. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a film. Indeed, I’m the only woman ever to direct her ex-husband. I make a joke: ‘I tell women, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Personal Life

Ladd was also the third cousin of Tennessee Williams, who she called “a significant impact on my life”.

During 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with a respiratory illness and told her life expectancy was six months but she regained full health after her daughter shifted her to another medical facility.

“When you use your pain and prevent it from festering like an injury, rather utilize it to discover, to clarify the journey for yourself and others, then you are triumphing,” Ladd remarked.