🔗 Share this article Acclaimed Actress Diane Ladd, Celebrated For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Dies at the Age of 89. The Oscar-nominated actor Diane Ladd has died aged 89. The actress, with roles included National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, left this world in her residence in California’s Ojai. The news was revealed via an announcement shared by her offspring, award-winning actress Laura Dern, her daughter. Laura Dern, who performed alongside her mother in several movies including Wild at Heart, called her “my wonderful hero as well as my profound gift being my mom”, noting that she was present as she died. “She was an exceptional daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist as well as caring individual that seemed almost dreamlike,” she stated. “We were lucky to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.” Beginnings and Major Success Her initial acting years saw small roles in television programs like Gunsmoke whereas the 1970s featured her performing next to actor Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown. In the same year, 1974, she performed with actress Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s acclaimed comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role brought Ladd her initial Oscar nod in the supporting actress category. Subsequent Years Throughout the 1980s, she starred in the thriller the movie Black Widow as well as humorous film Christmas Vacation and also took part in the sitcom Alice, a television series based on Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. During the next ten years, she was given a further supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart, a cult classic in which she portrayed the mom of her real-life daughter the character played by Dern. The next year she received a further nomination for her acting in Rambling Rose which included her daughter. “This movie that the late Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she brought me and Laura to England for a premiere and a celebration for us,” Ladd shared regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, grasping our hands, with tears, watching us perform.” The 1990s featured performances in the comedy The Cemetery Club bringing her back with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a satirical film, starring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy in which she portrayed Laura Dern’s mom once more. The decade also saw her score Emmy nominations for roles in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom plus Touched by an Angel. Collaborations with Daughter She continued to star with her daughter in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, a movie, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and White’s satirical show the program Enlightened. She also appeared with Sandra Bullock, a star in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in that movie plus Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy. Her later TV roles featured Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon, a comedy. Writing and Directing She also authored and oversaw the comedy film the movie Mrs Munck that included herself and previous spouse Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is a talented star,” she noted. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a movie. Indeed, I’m the only woman in history to direct her ex-husband. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, should you desire retribution, guide your former spouse.’ But I’m only kidding.” Family Ties Ladd was also a relative of the great Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a great influence on my life”. In 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with a respiratory illness and informed she only had half a year left but she regained full health once her daughter shifted her to a new hospital. “When you use your pain and prevent it from festering like a sore or something, instead use it to explore, to clarify the journey for yourself and others, then you are succeeding,” Ladd remarked.