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The award-nominated performer Diane Ladd left us 89 years old.

The actress, whose filmography featured Chinatown, died at her home in California’s Ojai. This announcement was shared via an announcement by her daughter, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern.

Laura Dern, who performed alongside her mother in various films including Wild at Heart, called her “my amazing hero plus my precious gift of a mother”, noting that she was present as she died.

“She was the greatest mother, daughter, grandmother, actress, artist and caring individual that felt like a dream come true,” she expressed. “We were lucky to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”

Early Career and Rise to Fame

The start of her career saw small roles in television programs including Perry Mason whereas that decade saw her starring with Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.

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

1980s and Beyond

During the eighties, she appeared in crime thriller Black Widow, a suspense story and comedy sequel National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and appeared on the sitcom Alice, a television series inspired by the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the following decade, she earned an additional Oscar nomination for supporting actress nomination for her part in the David Lynch film the movie Wild at Heart where she played the mother of her real-life daughter Laura Dern’s role. The following year she was awarded a further nomination for her acting in Rambling Rose, another movie which included Laura Dern.

“This was the picture that Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she flew us to the UK for a premiere and a party in our honor,” Ladd said about the film Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, grasping our hands, and crying, viewing our performance.”

The nineties featured performances in humorous films Cemetery Club joining her again with Ellen Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, with John Travolta and Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth where she played Laura Dern’s mom once more. Those years also brought her Emmy nominations for performances on Dr Quinn, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.

Working with Laura Dern

She kept appearing with Laura Dern in dramatic comedies Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project the movie Inland Empire and White’s dark comedy series Enlightened, a TV series. She also appeared alongside actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins in that movie and Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.

Her more recent television parts featured Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Filmmaking Ventures

She also authored and oversaw the comedy film the movie Mrs Munck that included herself and ex-husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a film. Actually, I am the sole female ever to helm a film with her ex. I make a joke: ‘I advise females, should you desire retribution, guide your former spouse.’ But I’m only kidding.”

Family Ties

Ladd was also a family member of playwright Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a major inspiration on my life”.

Back in 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.

“When you use your pain and prevent it from festering like an injury, instead apply it to discover, to illuminate the way for you and those around, then you are triumphing,” Ladd said.