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This Oscar-nominated actress the celebrated Diane Ladd has died 89 years old.

This star, whose credits spanned Chinatown, passed away at home in Ojai, California. Her passing was shared through a message shared by her daughter, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern.

Laura Dern, who appeared with her mother in several movies like Rambling Rose, called her “my incredible hero plus my special gift being my mom”, noting that she was present when she passed.

“She was the most wonderful grandmother, mother, daughter, actress, artist along with compassionate soul that felt like a dream come true,” she stated. “We were fortunate to know her. She is now with the angels.”

Initial Roles and Rise to Fame

Ladd’s early career included minor parts in television programs like The Fugitive whereas the 1970s saw her starring with actor Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.

During that year, 1974, she shared the screen with actress Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s celebrated dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her acting earned Ladd an Academy Award nomination as best supporting actress.

Subsequent Years

During the eighties, she was seen in crime thriller Black Widow, a suspense story and humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and appeared on Alice, a television series based on her earlier movie.

During the next ten years, she received another supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart, a cult classic where she acted as the mother of her real-life daughter Laura Dern’s role. The following year she obtained a further nomination for her performance in Rambling Rose, another movie that also featured her daughter.

“This was the picture which Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she flew us to the UK for a royal premiere and a party in our honor,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, holding both our hands, and weeping, watching us perform.”

The 1990s featured performances in comedy The Cemetery Club joining her again with Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a political comedy, starring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she played Dern’s mother another time. Those years also saw her score TV award nominations for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom and Touched by an Angel.

Collaborations with Daughter

She persisted in performing with her daughter in comedy drama Daddy and Them, a movie, Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and White’s dark comedy series Enlightened, a TV series. She also appeared with actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in The World’s Fastest Indian and with Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances included Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.

Behind the Camera

She additionally penned and directed the humorous movie Mrs Munck, a film which starred herself and previous spouse actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she noted. “I was honored to direct him on a project. In fact, I am the sole female in history to helm a film with her ex. I humorously say: ‘I tell women, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Personal Connections

She happened to be a family member of the great Tennessee Williams, who she called “a major inspiration on my life”.

In 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a pulmonary condition and advised her life expectancy was six months but made a full recovery after her daughter transferred her to a new hospital.

“When you use your pain and prevent it from festering similar to a wound, rather utilize it to discover, to clarify the journey for you and those around, then you are succeeding,” Ladd remarked.