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This award-nominated performer Diane Ladd passed away aged 89.

The actor, whose roles spanned Chinatown, died at her home in Ojai, California. This announcement was shared via an announcement by her child, Oscar-winning actor her daughter Laura Dern.

Her daughter, who performed alongside Diane Ladd in various films like Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my amazing hero plus my profound gift of a mother”, writing that she was present as she died.

“She was the most wonderful grandmother, mother, daughter, actress, artist as well as compassionate soul that seemed almost dreamlike,” she wrote. “We were lucky to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”

Initial Roles and Major Success

Her initial acting years saw small roles on television series such as The Fugitive and that decade saw her starring with the legendary Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.

During that year, 1974, she performed with actress Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s praised dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her role brought Ladd an Academy Award nomination in the supporting actress category.

1980s and Beyond

Throughout the 1980s, she was seen in the thriller Black Widow, a suspense story and comedy sequel National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and also took part in the show Alice, a comedy program based on Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the subsequent decade, she received another supporting actress Oscar nomination for her part in David Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the mom of her real-life daughter Laura Dern’s role. The following year she obtained a further nomination for her role in the film Rambling Rose which included Laura Dern.

“This was the film which Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she invited us to the UK for a royal premiere and a celebration in our honor,” Ladd recalled of Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, taking our hands, and weeping, viewing our performance.”

The nineties included parts in comedy Cemetery Club, a film joining her again with Ellen Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a satirical film, featuring John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy in which she portrayed the mother of Dern again. Those years also brought her Emmy nominations for roles on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.

Working with Laura Dern

She continued to star alongside her daughter in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, a movie, Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and the series by Mike White dark comedy series Enlightened, a TV series. She additionally starred next to actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in The World’s Fastest Indian and Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Her more recent television parts featured Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Filmmaking Ventures

She also authored and helmed the comedy the movie Mrs Munck which starred Diane Ladd and former husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a film. Indeed, I stand as the only woman ever to helm a film with her ex. I humorously say: ‘I advise females, should you desire retribution, direct your ex-husband.’ But I’m only kidding.”

Personal Connections

Ladd was also the third cousin of playwright Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a great influence on my life”.

In 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and advised her life expectancy was six months but she regained full health after her daughter transferred her to a new hospital.

“When you use your pain and avoid letting it accumulate like an injury, rather utilize it to explore, to make the path clearer for yourself and others, then you are succeeding,” Ladd expressed.