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This Academy Award-nominated actress Diane Ladd left us at the age of 89.

This actor, with roles included National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home in California’s Ojai. Her passing was revealed via an announcement by her daughter, award-winning actress her daughter Laura Dern.

Laura Dern, who starred with Diane Ladd in a number of films including Wild at Heart, called her “my wonderful hero and my profound gift as a mother”, writing that she was by her side when she passed.

“She was the most wonderful mother, daughter, grandmother, star, artist and caring individual that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she stated. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.”

Initial Roles and Major Success

Her initial acting years saw supporting roles in television programs like The Fugitive while the seventies saw her starring with Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.

In the same year, the year 1974, she appeared with actress Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. The performance landed Ladd her initial Oscar nod for best supporting actress.

Subsequent Years

In the 1980s, she starred in the dramatic film Black Widow and humorous film National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and also took part in the sitcom Alice, a television series based on her earlier movie.

In the subsequent decade, she earned a further supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her role in the David Lynch film the movie Wild at Heart where she acted as the mom of her actual daughter the character played by Dern. The next year she was awarded an additional nod for her performance in Rambling Rose, another movie which included her daughter.

“This was the picture that the late Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she invited Laura and I to the UK for a special screening and an event in our honor,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, holding both our hands, and crying, seeing us act.”

The 1990s included parts in the comedy The Cemetery Club bringing her back with her co-star Burstyn, Primary Colors, a satirical film, starring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed the mother of Dern another time. That period also earned her TV award nominations for work in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.

Working with Laura Dern

She persisted in performing with her daughter in films blending humor and drama the film Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire, a surreal film and the series by Mike White dark comedy series Enlightened, a TV series. She additionally starred alongside Sandra Bullock in the film 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film and with Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances included Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon.

Writing and Directing

Ladd also wrote and directed the comedy Mrs Munck, a film that included herself and former husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she said. “I was honored to direct him in a movie. In fact, I stand as the only woman in history who directed her former husband. I often joke: ‘I tell women, if you seek payback, helm a movie with your ex.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Personal Connections

Ladd was also the third cousin of Tennessee Williams, who she called “a significant impact on my life”.

Back in 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with a respiratory illness and told she only had half a year left but she regained full health when her daughter moved her to a new hospital.

“When you use your pain and not let it back up like a sore or something, instead apply it to investigate, to make the path clearer for personal and collective growth, then you are winning,” Ladd expressed.