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The Academy Award-nominated actress the celebrated Diane Ladd passed away 89 years old.

This actor, whose filmography featured Chinatown, died at her home at her Ojai, California home. This announcement was revealed in a statement by her offspring, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern, her daughter.

Dern, who appeared with Diane Ladd in various films like Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, described her as “my wonderful hero plus my precious gift being my mom”, writing that she was present during her final moments.

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

Early Career and Rise to Fame

Ladd’s early career featured small roles in television programs such as Gunsmoke whereas that decade saw her starring next to Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.

During that year, 1974, she appeared with actress Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese acclaimed film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting brought Ladd her first Oscar nomination in the supporting actress category.

1980s and Beyond

In the 1980s, she was seen in crime thriller Black Widow, a suspense story plus funny follow-up National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and also took part in the show Alice, a television series based on the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

During the next ten years, she was given an additional best supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her role in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart, a cult classic in which she portrayed the parent of her real-life daughter the character played by Dern. A year later she obtained an additional nod for her performance in Rambling Rose which also starred Laura Dern.

“This was the film that Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she brought me and Laura to London for a premiere and an event for us,” Ladd shared regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, and crying, seeing us act.”

The 1990s included parts in humorous films Cemetery Club reuniting her with Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a satirical film, with John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy in which she portrayed Dern’s mother again. That period also earned her nominations for Emmy Awards for work in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom and Touched by an Angel.

Working with Laura Dern

She persisted in performing with Laura Dern in comedy drama the film Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire and the series by Mike White comedy-drama series the program Enlightened. She was also seen next to actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian plus Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Her later TV roles included Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon.

Behind the Camera

She also authored and directed the comedy film the movie Mrs Munck which starred Diane Ladd and previous spouse Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him on a project. Actually, I am the sole female in history to helm a film with her ex. I often joke: ‘I tell women, should you desire retribution, guide your former spouse.’ However, I’m joking.”

Family Ties

Ladd was also the third cousin of the great Tennessee Williams, who she called “a great influence in my life”.

During 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a pulmonary condition and told she had just six months to live but she regained full health once her daughter moved her to a different hospital.

“If you can take your pain and avoid letting it accumulate similar to a wound, instead use it to explore, to clarify the journey for yourself and others, then you are winning,” Ladd said.