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

This star, whose roles spanned Chinatown, passed away at home at her Ojai, California home. The news was announced via an announcement shared by her child, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern.

Dern, who performed alongside her mom in several movies such as Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my wonderful hero and my special gift as a mother”, writing that she was by her side as she died.

“She was the greatest mother, daughter, grandmother, star, artist and compassionate soul that felt like a dream come true,” she stated. “We were blessed to have her. She is now with the angels.”

Initial Roles and Breakthrough

The start of her career included small roles in television programs such as The Fugitive while the seventies saw her starring with actor Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.

During that year, 1974, she shared the screen alongside Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed comedy drama the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting brought Ladd an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress.

Later Decades

During the eighties, she was seen in crime thriller the movie Black Widow and humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining the sitcom Alice, a television series inspired by her earlier movie.

During the next ten years, she received a further supporting actress nomination for her role in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart, a cult classic where she acted as the parent of her real-life daughter the character played by Dern. The next year she obtained an additional nod for her acting in the film Rambling Rose that also featured Laura Dern.

“This was the picture that the late Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she invited Laura and I to England for a special screening and a party dedicated to us,” Ladd shared of Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, taking our hands, with tears, watching us perform.”

The nineties included parts in humorous films The Cemetery Club reuniting her with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a satirical film, starring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne the movie Citizen Ruth where she played Dern’s mother another time. The decade also saw her score nominations for Emmy Awards for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.

Collaborations with Daughter

She kept appearing with her daughter in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, a movie, David Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and White’s dark comedy series Enlightened. She also appeared next to actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film and with Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.

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

Filmmaking Ventures

She additionally penned and oversaw the humorous movie Mrs Munck which starred herself and previous spouse actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a movie. In fact, I am the sole female in recorded history who directed her former husband. I make a joke: ‘I tell women, if you seek payback, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Family Ties

Ladd was also the third cousin of the great Tennessee Williams, who she called “a major inspiration throughout my life”.

Back in 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with a pulmonary condition and told her life expectancy was six months but she regained full health when her daughter shifted her to a new hospital.

“When you use your pain and avoid letting it accumulate similar to a wound, instead apply it to discover, to illuminate the way for you and those around, then you are winning,” Ladd said.