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This award-nominated actor Diane Ladd passed away aged 89.

This actor, whose filmography spanned National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home at her Ojai, California home. Her passing was announced via an announcement by her daughter, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern.

Dern, who appeared with Diane Ladd in various films like Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, described her as “my amazing hero and my precious gift as a mother”, noting that she was at her bedside as she died.

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

Initial Roles and Breakthrough

Her initial acting years included minor parts in television programs like The Fugitive whereas the seventies had her appearing with the legendary Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.

That very year, 1974, she shared the screen with Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s celebrated comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting earned Ladd her initial Oscar nod in the supporting actress category.

Later Decades

Throughout the 1980s, she appeared in crime thriller Black Widow, a suspense story plus funny follow-up National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and also took part in the show Alice, a television series inspired by the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

During the next ten years, she received a further Oscar nomination for supporting actress Oscar nomination for her part in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart, a cult classic where she acted as the mom of her biological child the character played by Dern. The next year she obtained another nomination for her acting in the film Rambling Rose that also featured Laura Dern.

“This was the film which Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she invited us to the UK for a royal premiere and a celebration for us,” Ladd shared of Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, holding both our hands, and weeping, watching us perform.”

The 1990s also saw roles in the comedy Cemetery Club, a film bringing her back with Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a political comedy, featuring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth where she acted as Dern’s mother once more. Those years also saw her score Emmy nominations for roles in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom and Touched by an Angel.

Working with Laura Dern

She kept appearing with Laura Dern in comedy drama the film Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire and Mike White’s dark comedy series Enlightened, a TV series. She was also seen alongside Sandra Bullock, a star in 28 Days, a movie, Sir Anthony Hopkins in that movie and with Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances consisted of the series Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Behind the Camera

Ladd also wrote and helmed the comedy film Mrs Munck which starred her and previous spouse actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she noted. “I was honored to direct him on a project. In fact, I am the sole female in history to helm a film with her ex. I humorously say: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Personal Connections

She was additionally a relative of Tennessee Williams, who she called “a significant impact throughout my life”.

During 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and told her life expectancy was six months yet she recovered completely once her daughter shifted her to another medical facility.

“When you use your pain and avoid letting it accumulate similar to a wound, instead apply it to investigate, to make the path clearer for you and those around, then you are triumphing,” Ladd said.