🔗 Share this article Diane Ladd, Known For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Passes Away at Age 89. The Academy Award-nominated performer Diane Ladd left us 89 years old. The actor, with filmography spanned National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home in California’s Ojai. Her passing was shared through a message shared by her offspring, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern. Her daughter, who starred with Diane Ladd in various films such as Wild at Heart, described her as “my incredible hero as well as my special gift as a mother”, writing that she was by her side when she passed. “She was an exceptional grandmother, mother, daughter, actress, artist as well as empathetic spirit that felt like a dream come true,” she expressed. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.” Initial Roles and Major Success Ladd’s early career saw small roles in TV shows like The Fugitive whereas that decade featured her performing with the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown. During that year, 1974, she shared the screen alongside Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese praised film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The performance brought Ladd an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress. Later Decades During the eighties, she was seen in crime thriller Black Widow, a suspense story and funny follow-up National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and appeared on the sitcom Alice, a television series based on the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. During the next ten years, she received an additional best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart where she played the parent of her actual daughter Laura Dern’s role. The next year she received an additional nod for her acting in the film Rambling Rose that also featured Laura Dern. “This was the picture which Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she flew us to London for a royal premiere and a celebration for us,” Ladd recalled about the film Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, grasping our hands, and weeping, seeing us act.” The nineties included parts in comedy The Cemetery Club bringing her back with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a political comedy, starring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed Laura Dern’s mom once more. That period also earned her TV award nominations for performances on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom plus Touched by an Angel. Working with Laura Dern She continued to star with Laura Dern in comedy drama Daddy and Them, a movie, Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and Mike White’s satirical show Enlightened, a TV series. She additionally starred alongside Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film and with Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy. Subsequent TV appearances included Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy. Behind the Camera Ladd also wrote and oversaw the humorous movie Mrs Munck, a film which starred her and ex-husband Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I was honored to direct him on a project. In fact, I’m the only woman ever to helm a film with her ex. I make a joke: ‘I advise females, should you desire retribution, 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 great influence throughout my life”. During 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and advised her life expectancy was six months but made a full recovery after her daughter shifted her to another medical facility. “When you use your pain and prevent it from festering like an injury, instead apply it to explore, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are triumphing,” Ladd expressed.