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The award-nominated performer the celebrated Diane Ladd passed away at the age of 89.

This star, with filmography included Chinatown, died at her home in California’s Ojai. Her passing was announced in a statement shared by her offspring, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern, her daughter.

Dern, who appeared with her mom in various films such as Wild at Heart, called her “my amazing hero plus my precious gift as a mother”, writing that she was by her side during her final moments.

“She was an exceptional daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist along with caring individual that felt like a dream come true,” she expressed. “We were blessed to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”

Beginnings and Breakthrough

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

In the same year, 1974, she appeared alongside Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s acclaimed comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her acting landed Ladd her initial Oscar nod for best supporting actress.

1980s and Beyond

In the 1980s, she starred in the dramatic film the movie Black Widow plus humorous film Christmas Vacation and also took part in the show Alice, a sitcom inspired by the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the following decade, she earned a further supporting actress Oscar nomination for her part in the David Lynch film the movie Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the mom of her biological child Dern’s character. The following year she was awarded another nomination for her performance in Rambling Rose, another movie that also featured her daughter.

“This was the picture that the late Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she invited Laura and I to London for a royal premiere and an event for us,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “And she sat between us, taking our hands, and crying, seeing us act.”

The 1990s also saw roles in the comedy Cemetery Club bringing her back with Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a satirical film, starring John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she acted as Dern’s mother another time. That period also brought her TV award nominations for performances on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.

Partnerships with Her Daughter

She continued to star with Laura Dern in comedy drama Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire, a surreal film and White’s comedy-drama series Enlightened. She also appeared with actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian plus Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances consisted of Ray Donovan, a drama plus Young Sheldon.

Filmmaking Ventures

She also authored and helmed the humorous movie Mrs Munck that included Diane Ladd and previous spouse Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is a great actor,” she noted. “It was a privilege to guide him on a project. Indeed, I’m the only woman in recorded history to direct her ex-husband. I humorously say: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, guide your former spouse.’ However, I’m joking.”

Personal Life

She happened to be the third cousin of Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a great influence throughout my life”.

Back in 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with lung disease and told her life expectancy was six months but she regained full health when her daughter transferred her to another medical facility.

“If you can take your pain and not let it back up like a sore or something, instead use it to explore, to illuminate the way for you and those around, then you are winning,” Ladd said.