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This Oscar-nominated performer Diane Ladd passed away aged 89.

The actress, with filmography included National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home in Ojai, California. This announcement was revealed in a statement shared by her offspring, award-winning actress Laura Dern, her daughter.

Dern, who appeared with Diane Ladd in several movies including Wild at Heart, described her as “my amazing hero as well as my precious gift as a mother”, stating that she was at her bedside when she passed.

“She was an exceptional daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist and caring individual that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she expressed. “We were blessed to have her. She is now with the angels.”

Beginnings and Major Success

The start of her career featured minor parts in TV shows like The Fugitive and the 1970s had her appearing with actor Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.

During that year, 1974, she appeared with Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her role landed Ladd an Academy Award nomination in the supporting actress category.

Subsequent Years

Throughout the 1980s, she was seen in the thriller the movie Black Widow as well as humorous film Christmas Vacation while also joining the sitcom Alice, a sitcom inspired by the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the subsequent decade, she was given an additional supporting actress nomination for her role in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart, a cult classic in which she portrayed the mother of her real-life daughter Dern’s character. The next year she was awarded another nomination for her acting in the film Rambling Rose which also starred Dern.

“This movie which Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she brought me and Laura to the UK for a special screening and a party for us,” Ladd said of Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, grasping our hands, and weeping, viewing our performance.”

The 1990s featured performances in the comedy Cemetery Club joining her again with Burstyn, Primary Colors, a satirical film, featuring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed Dern’s mother again. Those years also saw her score Emmy nominations for work in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, the show Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.

Working with Laura Dern

She kept appearing with her daughter in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and Mike White’s dark comedy series Enlightened, a TV series. She additionally starred with actress Sandra Bullock in the film 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.

Subsequent TV appearances consisted of Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Writing and Directing

She also authored and oversaw the comedy film Mrs Munck featuring her and ex-husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is a great actor,” she noted. “I was honored to direct him in a film. Indeed, I stand as the only woman in recorded history to helm a film with her ex. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, if you seek payback, guide your former spouse.’ However, I’m joking.”

Personal Connections

Ladd was also a relative of playwright Tennessee Williams, who she called “a significant impact on my life”.

During 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a respiratory illness and advised she only had half a year left but she regained full health after her daughter transferred her to a new hospital.

“Should you harness your suffering and not let it back up similar to a wound, instead use it to explore, to clarify the journey for yourself and others, then you are succeeding,” Ladd said.