🔗 Share this article Diane Ladd, Celebrated For Her Performance in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at 89 Years Old. This award-nominated actor Diane Ladd passed away at the age of 89. The actor, whose filmography spanned National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home in Ojai, California. The news was shared in a statement by her offspring, award-winning actress Laura Dern, her daughter. Dern, who performed alongside her mom in various films such as Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, described her as “my amazing hero as well as my profound gift of a mother”, stating 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 stated. “We were blessed to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.” Initial Roles and Major Success Her initial acting years featured minor parts on television series such as The Fugitive whereas the seventies had her appearing next to Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown. During that year, 1974, she appeared with actress Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s celebrated film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role brought Ladd an Academy Award nomination as best supporting actress. Subsequent Years In the 1980s, she appeared in the thriller Black Widow, a suspense story and humorous film National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and also took part in the show Alice, a sitcom inspired by Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. During the next ten years, she earned an additional supporting actress Oscar nomination for her part in Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she played the mother of her actual daughter Laura Dern’s role. A year later she received a further nomination for her acting in Rambling Rose which included Laura Dern. “This was the film that Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she flew us to London for a premiere and a celebration dedicated to us,” Ladd shared of Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, grasping our hands, and weeping, watching us perform.” That decade included parts in the comedy Cemetery Club bringing her back with her co-star Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a satirical film, starring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed Laura Dern’s mom again. The decade also earned her nominations for Emmy Awards for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel. Working with Laura Dern She continued to star alongside her daughter in comedy drama Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire, a surreal film and White’s satirical show the program Enlightened. She was also seen next to Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins in that movie and with Jennifer Lawrence in Joy. Subsequent TV appearances featured Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon. Writing and Directing She additionally penned and oversaw the comedy film Mrs Munck that included herself and former husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a movie. In fact, I am the sole female ever to direct her ex-husband. I often joke: ‘I tell women, if you seek payback, guide your former spouse.’ But I’m only kidding.” Personal Life She was additionally a family member of Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a major inspiration on my life”. During 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a pulmonary condition and told she had just six months to live but made a full recovery when her daughter moved her to a new hospital. “If you can take your pain and avoid letting it accumulate like a sore or something, instead apply it to investigate, to illuminate the way for personal and collective growth, then you are succeeding,” Ladd remarked.