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The Academy Award-nominated actress the celebrated Diane Ladd has died aged 89.

The actress, with roles featured Chinatown, left this world in her residence in Ojai, California. This announcement was announced through a message from her daughter, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern, her daughter.

Her daughter, who appeared with Diane Ladd in various films such as Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my wonderful hero as well as my special gift as a mother”, noting that she was by her side during her final moments.

“She was the most wonderful mother, daughter, grandmother, star, artist and empathetic spirit that seemed almost dreamlike,” she expressed. “We were fortunate to know her. She is flying with her angels now.”

Beginnings and Major Success

The start of her career included small roles in television programs including Perry Mason while the 1970s had her appearing next to Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.

In the same year, 1974, she performed with actress Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s acclaimed comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role landed Ladd an Academy Award nomination in the supporting actress category.

Subsequent Years

In the 1980s, she was seen in the dramatic film the movie Black Widow as well as funny follow-up National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining the sitcom Alice, a sitcom derived from the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the subsequent decade, she was given another best supporting actress nomination for her performance in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart, a cult classic in which she portrayed the parent of her biological child Laura Dern’s role. A year later she obtained an additional nod for her role in Rambling Rose, another movie that also featured Dern.

“This was the picture which Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she flew us to England for a premiere and a party dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled about the film Rambling Rose. “And she sat between us, grasping our hands, and crying, viewing our performance.”

The 1990s featured performances in the comedy The Cemetery Club joining her again with her co-star Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a political comedy, starring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy where she acted as the mother of Dern again. That period also brought her nominations for Emmy Awards for roles in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.

Partnerships with Her Daughter

She continued to star with Laura Dern in comedy drama the film Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire and White’s comedy-drama series Enlightened. She was also seen next to actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian plus Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Her later TV roles featured Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Writing and Directing

Ladd also wrote and helmed the comedy Mrs Munck featuring Diane Ladd and ex-husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I was honored to direct him in a movie. In fact, I am the sole female in history who directed her former husband. I often joke: ‘I tell women, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Personal Connections

She happened to be a family member of Tennessee Williams, who she called “a significant impact in my life”.

During 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with lung disease and advised her life expectancy was six months but made a full recovery after her daughter moved her to a new hospital.

“When you use your pain and prevent it from festering like an injury, instead use it to investigate, to clarify the journey for you and those around, then you are succeeding,” Ladd expressed.