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This Oscar-nominated actor the celebrated Diane Ladd has died aged 89.

The actor, with credits featured Chinatown, died at her home in California’s Ojai. This announcement was revealed through a message shared by her offspring, award-winning actress her daughter Laura Dern.

Dern, who performed alongside her mother in several movies like Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, called her “my incredible hero plus my precious gift being my mom”, stating that she was at her bedside during her final moments.

“She was the greatest mother, daughter, grandmother, performer, creative and caring individual that felt like a dream come true,” she expressed. “We were lucky to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”

Early Career and Breakthrough

Ladd’s early career featured supporting roles in television programs like Perry Mason and the 1970s featured her performing with Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.

During that year, 1974, she appeared alongside Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s acclaimed dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The performance landed Ladd her initial Oscar nod in the supporting actress category.

Subsequent Years

During the eighties, she starred in the thriller Black Widow as well as humorous film National Lampoon’s holiday comedy while also joining the sitcom Alice, a television series derived from the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the subsequent decade, she earned another best supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her performance in Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she acted as the mother of her real-life daughter the character played by Dern. The following year she was awarded a further nomination for her performance in the film Rambling Rose which also starred Dern.

“This was the picture that the late Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she flew Laura and I to the UK for a premiere and a celebration dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, taking our hands, and crying, watching us perform.”

The nineties included parts in comedy Cemetery Club, a film bringing her back with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, starring John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she acted as Dern’s mother another time. The decade also brought her Emmy nominations for work on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom and Touched by an Angel, a drama.

Partnerships with Her Daughter

She continued to star with her daughter in comedy drama the film Daddy and Them, Lynch’s Inland Empire, a surreal film and Mike White’s satirical show the program Enlightened. She was also seen next to Sandra Bullock, a star in 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in that movie plus Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Her later TV roles consisted of Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.

Behind the Camera

She also authored and oversaw the comedy film the movie Mrs Munck that included Diane Ladd and former husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I was honored to direct him in a movie. In fact, I am the sole female in recorded history to helm a film with her ex. I humorously say: ‘I advise females, should you desire retribution, helm a movie with your ex.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Personal Connections

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

During 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a respiratory illness and advised her life expectancy was six months yet she recovered completely after her daughter transferred her to a different hospital.

“Should you harness your suffering and prevent it from festering like a sore or something, rather utilize it to explore, to illuminate the way for you and those around, then you are winning,” Ladd expressed.