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The Oscar-nominated actor Diane Ladd has died aged 89.

This actress, with filmography included Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, died at her home in California’s Ojai. Her passing was shared in a statement by her child, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern, her daughter.

Her daughter, who starred with her mom in a number of films such as Rambling Rose, described her as “my incredible hero plus my profound gift as a mother”, noting that she was by her side when she passed.

“She was the most wonderful mother, daughter, grandmother, performer, creative along with caring individual that felt like a dream come true,” she stated. “We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”

Beginnings and Breakthrough

Her initial acting years featured small roles on television series like Gunsmoke whereas that decade had her appearing with Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.

In the same year, the year 1974, she appeared alongside Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese acclaimed dramatic comedy the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting brought Ladd her initial Oscar nod as best supporting actress.

Later Decades

In the 1980s, she appeared in the thriller Black Widow, a suspense story as well as funny follow-up National Lampoon’s holiday comedy while also joining the show Alice, a comedy program derived from the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the subsequent decade, she received another best supporting actress nomination for her role in Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she played the mother of her biological child Dern’s character. The next year she received a further nomination for her acting in Rambling Rose which also starred Laura Dern.

“This was the picture that the late Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she flew us to the UK for a special screening and an event in our honor,” Ladd said regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, grasping our hands, with tears, viewing our performance.”

That decade featured performances in comedy The Cemetery Club joining her again with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political comedy, with John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth where she acted as Dern’s mother once more. The decade also brought her nominations for Emmy Awards for roles on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom and Touched by an Angel, a drama.

Collaborations with Daughter

She persisted in performing with her daughter in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, Lynch’s Inland Empire and White’s dark comedy series Enlightened, a TV series. She additionally starred alongside actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins in that movie plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.

Her more recent television parts included Ray Donovan, a drama plus Young Sheldon.

Writing and Directing

She also authored and oversaw the humorous movie Mrs Munck, a film featuring herself and previous spouse Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a film. In fact, I stand as the only woman ever who directed her former husband. I make a joke: ‘I say ladies, if you seek payback, direct your ex-husband.’ But I’m only kidding.”

Personal Connections

She happened to be a family member of the great Tennessee Williams, who she called “a great influence throughout my life”.

Back in 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and advised her life expectancy was six months yet she recovered completely after her daughter transferred her to another medical facility.

“If you can take your pain and prevent it from festering like a sore or something, rather utilize it to explore, to make the path clearer for yourself and others, then you are succeeding,” Ladd remarked.