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This Oscar-nominated actor Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran left us 89 years old.

This actress, with filmography included Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, died at her home in California’s Ojai. Her passing was announced in a statement by her offspring, award-winning actress Laura Dern, her daughter.

Dern, who starred with her mother in a number of films including Rambling Rose, described her as “my wonderful hero plus my profound gift of a mother”, noting that she was present when she passed.

“She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, star, artist along with caring individual that seemed almost dreamlike,” she wrote. “We were lucky to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”

Beginnings and Major Success

Her initial acting years featured minor parts in TV shows such as Gunsmoke while the 1970s saw her starring next to the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.

In the same year, 1974, she shared the screen alongside Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese celebrated comedy drama the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role earned Ladd an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress.

1980s and Beyond

During the eighties, she starred in the thriller the movie Black Widow and funny follow-up Christmas Vacation and appeared on Alice, a comedy program inspired by Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the subsequent decade, she earned an additional supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her role in David Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she acted as the mother of her biological child the character played by Dern. The following year she was awarded a further nomination for her role in Rambling Rose, another movie which also starred Laura Dern.

“This was the picture that the late Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she brought me and Laura to London for a special screening and an event dedicated to us,” Ladd shared of Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, and crying, seeing us act.”

That decade included parts in humorous films Cemetery Club, a film bringing her back with Ellen Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, starring John Travolta and Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed Laura Dern’s mom again. The decade also saw her score nominations for Emmy Awards for performances on Dr Quinn, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.

Collaborations with Daughter

She persisted in performing alongside her daughter in comedy drama the film Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and White’s dark comedy series Enlightened. She also appeared with Sandra Bullock in the film 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins in that movie and Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances featured the series Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Writing and Directing

She also authored and directed the comedy Mrs Munck that included herself and previous spouse Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is a talented star,” she said. “I was honored to direct him on a project. Indeed, I am the sole female in history to helm a film with her ex. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, helm a movie with your ex.’ However, I’m joking.”

Personal Life

Ladd was also the third cousin of playwright Tennessee Williams, who she called “a major inspiration in my life”.

Back in 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a pulmonary condition and told she only had half a year left but she regained full health after her daughter moved her to a different hospital.

“When you use your pain and avoid letting it accumulate similar to a wound, rather utilize it to discover, to illuminate the way for you and those around, then you are succeeding,” Ladd remarked.