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

The star, whose roles spanned Chinatown, passed away at home in Ojai, California. This announcement was revealed through a message shared by her daughter, award-winning actress her daughter Laura Dern.

Her daughter, who appeared with Diane Ladd in several movies including Rambling Rose, described her as “my incredible hero plus my profound gift as a mother”, writing that she was at her bedside during her final moments.

“She was the greatest grandmother, mother, daughter, star, artist and caring individual 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 Major Success

Ladd’s early career saw small roles in television programs including The Fugitive and the seventies saw her starring with Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.

That very year, 1974, she shared the screen alongside Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese celebrated film the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role earned Ladd her first Oscar nomination as best supporting actress.

Later Decades

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

In the following decade, she was given another best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart where she played the mother of her real-life daughter Dern’s character. The next year she received another nomination for her role in the film Rambling Rose that also featured her daughter.

“This movie that the late Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she flew us to the UK for a premiere and a party dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled about the film Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, taking our hands, and weeping, seeing us act.”

The nineties included parts in the comedy Cemetery Club, a film bringing her back with Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a political comedy, with John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed Laura Dern’s mom once more. The decade also earned her nominations for Emmy Awards for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.

Working with Laura Dern

She continued to star alongside her daughter in comedy drama Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire and Mike White’s dark comedy series Enlightened. She also appeared with Sandra Bullock, a star in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.

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

Writing and Directing

She also authored and directed the humorous movie Mrs Munck, a film which starred herself and former husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I was honored to direct him in a film. Indeed, I stand as the only woman in history who directed her former husband. I humorously say: ‘I tell women, should you desire retribution, helm a movie with your ex.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Personal Life

Ladd was also a family member of playwright Tennessee Williams, who she called “a major inspiration throughout my life”.

In 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and told she had just six months to live yet she recovered completely after her daughter transferred her to a different hospital.

“When you use your pain and avoid letting it accumulate similar to a wound, instead apply it to investigate, to clarify the journey for you and those around, then you are winning,” Ladd expressed.