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This award-nominated actress the celebrated Diane Ladd has died at the age of 89.

This star, whose roles included Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, left this world in her residence at her Ojai, California home. Her passing was shared through a message shared by her daughter, Oscar-winning actor her daughter Laura Dern.

Laura Dern, who starred with Diane Ladd in several movies like Rambling Rose, described her as “my amazing hero as well as my special gift being my mom”, stating that she was by her side during her final moments.

“She was the greatest grandmother, mother, daughter, performer, creative along with caring individual that seemed almost dreamlike,” she expressed. “We were blessed to have her. Her spirit soars with angels.”

Beginnings and Breakthrough

Ladd’s early career included minor parts in television programs including Perry Mason while that decade had her appearing with the legendary Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.

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

1980s and Beyond

During the eighties, she starred in crime thriller Black Widow, a suspense story as well as humorous film National Lampoon’s holiday comedy while also joining the sitcom Alice, a comedy program derived from her earlier movie.

In the subsequent decade, she earned a further best supporting actress nomination for her performance in Lynch’s Wild at Heart where she played the mother of her actual daughter Dern’s character. The following year she received an additional nod for her performance in the film Rambling Rose which included Dern.

“This was the picture that Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she flew us to England for a special screening and a celebration dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled about the film Rambling Rose. “And she sat between us, taking our hands, and crying, watching us perform.”

That decade included parts in comedy Cemetery Club reuniting her with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a political comedy, featuring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy in which she portrayed the mother of Dern once more. The decade also saw her score nominations for Emmy Awards for work on Dr Quinn, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.

Working with Laura Dern

She persisted in performing alongside her daughter in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and the series by Mike White comedy-drama series Enlightened, a TV series. She also appeared with actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in that movie and Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances included Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon.

Writing and Directing

She additionally penned and oversaw the comedy the movie Mrs Munck which starred her and previous spouse Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I was honored to direct him in a film. Actually, I’m the only woman ever who directed her former husband. I make a joke: ‘I say ladies, if you seek payback, helm a movie with your ex.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Family Ties

She happened to be a relative of the great Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a major inspiration on my life”.

In 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with a pulmonary condition and told she had just six months to live yet she recovered completely when her daughter transferred her to a different hospital.

“Should you harness your suffering and prevent it from festering like a sore or something, instead apply it to discover, to illuminate the way for personal and collective growth, then you are winning,” Ladd said.