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This Oscar-nominated actress Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran passed away aged 89.

This actor, with roles spanned National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, passed away at home in Ojai, California. Her passing was announced in a statement from her child, award-winning actress Laura Dern.

Laura Dern, who appeared with her mom in various films such as Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my amazing hero and my special gift of a mother”, writing that she was at her bedside as she died.

“She was the greatest grandmother, mother, daughter, actress, artist as well as compassionate soul that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she wrote. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.”

Initial Roles and Breakthrough

Ladd’s early career included minor parts on television series such as Perry Mason while the 1970s had her appearing with the legendary Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.

That very year, 1974, she performed with actress Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese praised dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her acting brought Ladd her initial Oscar nod as best supporting actress.

1980s and Beyond

During the eighties, she was seen in the thriller Black Widow as well as funny follow-up National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and also took part in Alice, a television series inspired by Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

During the next ten years, she received another best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her part in Lynch’s Wild at Heart where she played the mom of her biological child Dern’s character. A year later she received a further nomination for her role in Rambling Rose that also featured Laura Dern.

“This movie that the late Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she brought Laura and I to London for a special screening and a celebration for us,” Ladd recalled of Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, and crying, seeing us act.”

That decade also saw roles in comedy Cemetery Club joining her again with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, featuring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne the movie Citizen Ruth where she played the mother of Dern once more. The decade also brought her TV award nominations for roles on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.

Partnerships with Her Daughter

She persisted in performing alongside her daughter in dramatic comedies the film Daddy and Them, Lynch’s Inland Empire and White’s comedy-drama series Enlightened. She also appeared alongside Sandra Bullock, a star in the film 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in that movie and Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances consisted of Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon.

Writing and Directing

She additionally penned and helmed the humorous movie Mrs Munck which starred herself and ex-husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “It was a privilege to guide him on a project. Indeed, I’m the only woman ever to direct her ex-husband. I make a joke: ‘I tell women, if you seek payback, helm a movie with your ex.’ However, I’m joking.”

Personal Life

She happened to be the third cousin of the great Tennessee Williams, who she called “a significant impact in my life”.

Back in 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and told she only had half a year left but she regained full health once her daughter moved her to a different hospital.

“If you can take your pain and not let it back up similar to a wound, rather utilize it to discover, to clarify the journey for personal and collective growth, then you are winning,” Ladd remarked.