🔗 Share this article Acclaimed Actress Diane Ladd, Famed For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Dies at 89 Years Old. This Academy Award-nominated actress Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran passed away 89 years old. This star, whose filmography featured Chinatown, died at her home in California’s Ojai. This announcement was revealed in a statement from her offspring, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern. Her daughter, who performed alongside Diane Ladd in several movies including Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my wonderful hero and my profound gift being my mom”, stating that she was at her bedside as she died. “She was the most wonderful mother, daughter, grandmother, actress, artist and caring individual that felt like a dream come true,” she wrote. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.” Beginnings and Breakthrough Her initial acting years saw supporting roles on television series like Perry Mason while the seventies had her appearing with the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown. During that year, 1974, she performed with actress Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s celebrated comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role brought Ladd an Academy Award nomination as best supporting actress. Subsequent Years In the 1980s, she was seen in the dramatic film Black Widow, a suspense story plus comedy sequel National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and appeared on Alice, a comedy program inspired by her earlier movie. In the following decade, she earned another supporting actress nomination for her performance in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the mom of her biological child the character played by Dern. A year later she was awarded another nomination for her acting in Rambling Rose that also featured Dern. “This was the film that Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she flew us to the UK for a royal premiere and an event for us,” Ladd recalled about the film Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, holding both our hands, and crying, viewing our performance.” The 1990s featured performances in the comedy Cemetery Club, a film bringing her back with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a satirical film, starring John Travolta and Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth where she acted as Dern’s mother again. Those years also earned her TV award nominations for work on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel. Partnerships with Her Daughter She kept appearing alongside her daughter in comedy drama Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and the series by Mike White satirical show the program Enlightened. She was also seen next to Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins in that movie and Jennifer Lawrence in Joy. Subsequent TV appearances consisted of the series Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon. Writing and Directing Ladd also wrote and helmed the humorous movie Mrs Munck, a film that included herself and previous spouse actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I was honored to direct him in a movie. In fact, I stand as the only woman ever to helm a film with her ex. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, should you desire retribution, guide your former spouse.’ Though I’m just teasing.” Family Ties She happened to be a family member of Tennessee Williams, who she called “a major inspiration throughout my life”. Back in 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with lung disease and told she had just six months to live but she regained full health once her daughter shifted her to another medical facility. “When you use your pain and prevent it from festering similar to a wound, rather utilize it to investigate, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are triumphing,” Ladd said.