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This award-nominated actor Diane Ladd passed away at the age of 89.

The star, with filmography included Chinatown, died at her home in California’s Ojai. The news was announced in a statement shared by her daughter, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern, her daughter.

Laura Dern, who appeared with her mom in several movies including Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, described her as “my amazing hero as well as my precious gift being my mom”, noting that she was at her bedside as she died.

“She was the greatest grandmother, mother, daughter, actress, artist as well as empathetic spirit that felt like a dream come true,” she wrote. “We were lucky to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”

Initial Roles and Breakthrough

The start of her career saw small roles in television programs including Gunsmoke whereas that decade saw her starring next to the legendary Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.

That very year, the year 1974, she performed alongside Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s praised dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. The performance landed Ladd her first Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.

1980s and Beyond

In the 1980s, she starred in the thriller Black Widow, a suspense story as well as comedy sequel National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and also took part in the sitcom Alice, a television series inspired by the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the subsequent decade, she was given another best supporting actress nomination for her role in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart, a cult classic in which she portrayed the mother of her biological child Dern’s character. The next year she received another nomination for her role in Rambling Rose which also starred Laura Dern.

“This movie which Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she invited me and Laura to England for a premiere and a celebration dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled about the film Rambling Rose. “And she sat between us, grasping our hands, with tears, viewing our performance.”

The 1990s featured performances in comedy Cemetery Club joining her again with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political comedy, with John Travolta and Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed Laura Dern’s mom once more. That period also saw her score nominations for Emmy Awards for work on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.

Working with Laura Dern

She continued to star with her daughter in dramatic comedies Daddy and Them, a movie, the David Lynch project Inland Empire and Mike White’s satirical show Enlightened, a TV series. She was also seen with actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film and Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances consisted of Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.

Behind the Camera

She also authored and oversaw the comedy film Mrs Munck, a film which starred Diane Ladd and previous spouse actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she mentioned. “It was a privilege to guide him on a project. Indeed, I stand as the only woman ever to direct her ex-husband. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, should you desire retribution, guide your former spouse.’ However, I’m joking.”

Personal Connections

Ladd was also a family member of the great Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a great influence throughout my life”.

During 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with a respiratory illness and told she only had half a year left but made a full recovery after her daughter shifted her to a new hospital.

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