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This Oscar-nominated performer Diane Ladd passed away aged 89.

The star, with credits spanned Chinatown, died at her home at her Ojai, California home. Her passing was announced via an announcement from her offspring, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern.

Her daughter, who appeared with her mom in various films like Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my amazing hero plus my precious gift being my mom”, noting that she was by her side when she passed.

“She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, performer, creative as well as compassionate soul that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she expressed. “We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”

Initial Roles and Breakthrough

The start of her career included supporting roles on television series like Gunsmoke whereas the seventies had her appearing alongside actor Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.

That very year, 1974, she shared the screen with Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese acclaimed dramatic comedy the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The performance landed Ladd her first Oscar nomination in the supporting actress category.

Later Decades

In the 1980s, she appeared in the dramatic film the movie Black Widow and comedy sequel National Lampoon’s holiday comedy while also joining the sitcom Alice, a television series based on her earlier movie.

In the following decade, she earned a further Oscar nomination for supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her part in the David Lynch film the movie Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the mother of her real-life daughter Laura Dern’s role. The following year she was awarded a further nomination for her acting in Rambling Rose, another movie which also starred Laura Dern.

“This movie that Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she flew Laura and I to England for a special screening and an event for us,” Ladd shared about the film Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, grasping our hands, and crying, seeing us act.”

That decade included parts in humorous films Cemetery Club joining her again with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a comedy about politics, starring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy where she played Laura Dern’s mom once more. The decade 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 persisted in performing with her daughter in dramatic comedies the film Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire, a surreal film and White’s comedy-drama series Enlightened, a TV series. She additionally starred next to Sandra Bullock, a star in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in that movie and with Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances consisted of the series Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.

Writing and Directing

She also authored and helmed the comedy film Mrs Munck featuring her and former husband Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a film. Actually, I stand as the only woman in recorded history to direct her ex-husband. I humorously say: ‘I tell women, should you desire retribution, helm a movie with your ex.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Personal Connections

She happened to be the third cousin of Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a great influence throughout my life”.

In 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a pulmonary condition and told she had just six months to live yet she recovered completely once her daughter moved her to another medical facility.

“When you use your pain and avoid letting it accumulate like a sore or something, instead apply it to discover, to clarify the journey for yourself and others, then you are succeeding,” Ladd expressed.