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This Academy Award-nominated actor Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran has died aged 89.

This actress, whose filmography included Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, passed away at home at her Ojai, California home. The news was announced through a message shared by her child, Oscar-winning actor her daughter Laura Dern.

Her daughter, who appeared with her mom in a number of films including Wild at Heart, referred to her as “my incredible hero and my special gift being my mom”, noting that she was present when she passed.

“She was the greatest grandmother, mother, daughter, actress, artist as well as empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she wrote. “We were lucky to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”

Initial Roles and Rise to Fame

Her initial acting years included minor parts in TV shows like Gunsmoke and the 1970s had her appearing alongside the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.

In the same year, 1974, she shared the screen with actress Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s celebrated comedy drama the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting earned Ladd her first Oscar nomination as best supporting actress.

1980s and Beyond

During the eighties, she starred in crime thriller Black Widow plus humorous film National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and also took part in Alice, a comedy program based on the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the following decade, she received an additional supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her part in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart where she played the mother of her real-life daughter the character played by Dern. The next year she received a further nomination for her acting in Rambling Rose, another movie that also featured Laura Dern.

“This was the picture which Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she flew us to the UK for a premiere and an event for us,” Ladd said regarding Rambling Rose. “And she sat between us, grasping our hands, and weeping, viewing our performance.”

That decade also saw roles in comedy The Cemetery Club bringing her back with Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a comedy about politics, starring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy in which she portrayed the mother of Dern once more. Those years also brought her TV award nominations for roles in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.

Working with Laura Dern

She persisted in performing with her daughter in comedy drama Daddy and Them, Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and White’s satirical show Enlightened, a TV series. She also appeared with actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in The World’s Fastest Indian plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.

Her later TV roles consisted of Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Behind the Camera

She additionally penned and helmed the comedy film the movie Mrs Munck which starred Diane Ladd and previous spouse Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she mentioned. “I was honored to direct him on a project. Actually, I’m the only woman in recorded history to direct her ex-husband. I humorously say: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Personal Life

She happened to be a relative of playwright Tennessee Williams, who she called “a major inspiration in my life”.

Back in 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with a respiratory illness and told she only had half a year left but made a full recovery after her daughter transferred her to a new hospital.

“When you use your pain and avoid letting it accumulate like an injury, instead use it to investigate, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are succeeding,” Ladd remarked.