Diane Ladd, Oscar-nominated actress and mom to Laura Dern, dies at 89

Diane Ladd, Academy Award-nominated veteran actress and mother of Laura Dern, has died at the age of 89.

According to a statement published by PEOPLE, Dern revealed that she had passed away at her home.

“My amazing hero and my profound gift of a mother, Diane Ladd, passed with me beside her this morning, at her home in Ojai, Calif.,” Dern, 58, said.

“She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she continued. “We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”

In a career stretching over 70 years, Ladd appeared in over 200 films and TV shows, receiving no less than three Academy Award nominations for her roles in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), Wild at Heart (1990), and Rambling Rose (1991).

As per Life After 50, Ladd – who decided to shorten her surname from Ladner when she began working in Hollywood – started exploring the performative arts, acting, dancing, and singing, at a young age.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 11: Diane Ladd and Laura Dern attend AARP The Magazine’s 19th Annual Movies For Grownups Awards at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel on January 11, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic)

Her career on TV bloomed throughout the ’50s and ’60s, while she earned her first official film credit in the 1966 crime drama The Wild Angels.

“I remember when we were filming Wild Angels, my very first film, we were practically children back then,” Ladd told PEOPLE in 2019.

“It was a foggy night, and some bikers came up the mountain and threatened to tie Peter and another crew member to a generator… [but] Peter [Fonda] and Bruce Dern protected us and led us all to safety. His courage always shined through like that.”

Ladd was married to Bruce Dern between 1960 and 1969. The couple had two daughters, Diane Elizabeth, who died in a drowning accident aged just 18 months, and Laura, who would go on to become a superstar in her own right, appearing in films including Jurassic ParkOctober Sky, and I Am Sam.

Diane and Laura appeared in several projects together, with both earning respective Academy Award nominations for their performances in 1991’s Rambling Rose.

Rest in peace, Diane Ladd.

Related Posts

Actor behind the original Geico Caveman speaks out – do you recognize him?

Most people find it annoying when ads start popping up while they watch their favorite film or series. The truth is that commercials can be boring, but…

Rep. Julia Brownley Announces Retirement, Opening a New Chapter in California Politics

The decision by Julia Brownley not to seek another term in Congress marks a significant transition for California’s political landscape and the Democratic Party. After years of representing a…

Republican Leaders Voice Support for Trump’s Iran Policy Amid Broader Debate

Several prominent Republican leaders have expressed support for former President Donald Trump and his approach toward Iran, framing their position as a matter of national security and strategic deterrence….

Trump Comments on Cases Involving Missing and Deceased Experts Amid Ongoing Questions

Former President Donald Trump has weighed in on recent speculation surrounding several cases involving missing or deceased scientists and government-linked experts, stating that he sees “not much of a…

🚨Photo Of Trump Family On Election Night Turns Heads After People Spot Small Detail!…

A single photo sparked widespread speculation. One smiling family image—missing Melania Trump—quickly ignited rumors and online debate. Some questioned whether her absence signaled tension. Others analyzed every…

Trump and Obama Exchange Highlights Growing Divide in Modern Political Discourse

A highly publicized exchange involving former Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama has reignited debate about the nature of political communication in the digital age. The encounter quickly attracted widespread attention…