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The award-nominated performer Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran left us at the age of 89.

This actress, with filmography spanned National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, passed away at home at her Ojai, California home. This announcement was revealed in a statement shared by her daughter, Academy Award-winning star her daughter Laura Dern.

Laura Dern, who starred with Diane Ladd in a number of films such as Rambling Rose, called her “my wonderful hero and my profound gift of a mother”, stating that she was at her bedside when she passed.

“She was an exceptional mother, daughter, grandmother, actress, artist and compassionate soul that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she stated. “We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”

Early Career and Breakthrough

Ladd’s early career featured small roles in TV shows like The Fugitive while that decade had her appearing alongside Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.

During that year, 1974, she appeared alongside Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese celebrated film the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role brought Ladd her first Oscar nomination as best supporting actress.

1980s and Beyond

Throughout the 1980s, she was seen in the dramatic film Black Widow and humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining the show Alice, a sitcom inspired by Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the following decade, she earned an additional Oscar nomination for supporting actress Oscar nomination for her performance in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart, a cult classic where she played the parent of her real-life daughter Dern’s character. A year later she was awarded an additional nod for her acting in the film Rambling Rose which also starred Laura Dern.

“This was the film which Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she invited me and Laura to the UK for a special screening and a celebration for us,” Ladd shared about the film Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, with tears, watching us perform.”

The nineties included parts in the comedy Cemetery Club bringing her back with Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a satirical film, featuring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed Laura Dern’s mom another time. Those years also brought her Emmy nominations for performances in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.

Working with Laura Dern

She continued to star alongside her daughter in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, Lynch’s Inland Empire and the series by Mike White comedy-drama series Enlightened. She was also seen alongside actress Sandra Bullock in the film 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in that movie and with Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances included the series Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon.

Writing and Directing

She also authored and directed the humorous movie the movie Mrs Munck featuring herself and previous spouse actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she noted. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a movie. Actually, I stand as the only woman in history to helm a film with her ex. I make a joke: ‘I say ladies, should you desire retribution, direct your ex-husband.’ However, I’m joking.”

Personal Life

She happened to be a family member of playwright Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a great influence in my life”.

Back in 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with a pulmonary condition and told she only had half a year left but made a full recovery once her daughter shifted her to a new hospital.

“When you use your pain and prevent it from festering like a sore or something, instead apply it to discover, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are triumphing,” Ladd remarked.