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The Oscar-nominated performer the celebrated Diane Ladd passed away at the age of 89.

The star, whose filmography spanned Chinatown, left this world in her residence at her Ojai, California home. Her passing was shared via an announcement shared by her offspring, award-winning actress her daughter Laura Dern.

Her daughter, who starred with Diane Ladd in several movies including Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, called her “my wonderful hero and my profound gift being my mom”, noting that she was present when she passed.

“She was an exceptional mother, daughter, grandmother, star, artist as well as caring individual that felt like a dream come true,” she stated. “We were lucky to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”

Early Career and Major Success

Her initial acting years included small roles in TV shows like The Fugitive whereas the seventies saw her starring with Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.

In the same year, 1974, she performed with actress Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s celebrated dramatic comedy the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting landed Ladd an Academy Award nomination in the supporting actress category.

Subsequent Years

In the 1980s, she was seen in the thriller Black Widow and funny follow-up National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and also took part in Alice, a television series inspired by the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the following decade, she was given an additional Oscar nomination for supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her performance in David Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she played the parent of her actual daughter Dern’s character. A year later she received an additional nod for her role in the film Rambling Rose that also featured Dern.

“This movie which Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she flew us to the UK for a special screening and an event dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled of Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, grasping our hands, and crying, watching us perform.”

The 1990s featured performances in the comedy The Cemetery Club reuniting her with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political comedy, with John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth where she acted as Laura Dern’s mom another time. The decade also brought her TV award nominations for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.

Collaborations with Daughter

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

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

Writing and Directing

She additionally penned and oversaw the comedy the movie Mrs Munck which starred herself and former husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she mentioned. “I was honored to direct him in a movie. Actually, I am the sole female in recorded history to direct her ex-husband. I often joke: ‘I advise females, if you want revenge, helm a movie with your ex.’ However, I’m joking.”

Family Ties

Ladd was also a family member of Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a major inspiration on my life”.

Back in 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with a pulmonary condition and informed she only had half a year left but she regained full health once her daughter shifted her to another medical facility.

“If you can take your pain and prevent it from festering similar to a wound, instead use it to discover, to clarify the journey for yourself and others, then you are triumphing,” Ladd remarked.