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This Oscar-nominated actress Diane Ladd has died 89 years old.

This actor, with roles included National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home in California’s Ojai. Her passing was shared through a message from her child, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern.

Dern, who performed alongside Diane Ladd in several movies like Rambling Rose, called her “my amazing hero plus my precious gift of a mother”, noting that she was present as she died.

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

Early Career and Major Success

Her initial acting years included minor parts on television series such as The Fugitive whereas the seventies had her appearing with actor Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.

That very year, 1974, she shared the screen alongside Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s acclaimed dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role brought Ladd her first Oscar nomination as best supporting actress.

1980s and Beyond

During the eighties, she was seen in crime thriller the movie Black Widow and humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and also took part in the sitcom Alice, a television series inspired by Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the following decade, she earned another supporting actress nomination for her part in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart, a cult classic where she acted as the parent of her real-life daughter Dern’s character. The following year she was awarded another nomination for her role in Rambling Rose, another movie which also starred Laura Dern.

“This movie that Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she invited us to the UK for a royal premiere and a party dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled of Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, and weeping, watching us perform.”

The 1990s featured performances in humorous films Cemetery Club, a film joining her again with her co-star Burstyn, Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, with John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she played Laura Dern’s mom once more. The decade also earned her TV award nominations for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.

Working with Laura Dern

She persisted in performing with Laura Dern in dramatic comedies the film Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire, a surreal film and the series by Mike White satirical show Enlightened, a TV series. She additionally starred alongside Sandra Bullock, a star in the film 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in that movie plus Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Her more recent television parts consisted of the series Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Behind the Camera

She additionally penned and directed the comedy film Mrs Munck, a film featuring Diane Ladd and ex-husband Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she mentioned. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a movie. In fact, I’m the only woman in history to helm a film with her ex. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, should you desire retribution, guide your former spouse.’ But I’m only kidding.”

Personal Connections

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

In 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a pulmonary condition and told she only had half a year left but made a full recovery after her daughter transferred her to another medical facility.

“When you use your pain and not let it back up like a sore or something, instead apply it to discover, to clarify the journey for yourself and others, then you are winning,” Ladd remarked.