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The Oscar-nominated performer Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran has died aged 89.

The star, whose filmography spanned National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, passed away at home in Ojai, California. Her passing was revealed in a statement from her offspring, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern, her daughter.

Laura Dern, who starred with Diane Ladd in several movies like Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my amazing hero and my profound gift of a mother”, noting that she was present when she passed.

“She was an exceptional daughter, mother, grandmother, star, artist along with empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she wrote. “We were lucky to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”

Early Career and Major Success

Ladd’s early career included minor parts in TV shows including The Fugitive while the seventies had her appearing next to actor Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.

In the same year, the year 1974, she shared the screen with actress Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s praised comedy drama the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role brought Ladd an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress.

Subsequent Years

During the eighties, she starred in crime thriller the movie Black Widow plus funny follow-up National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining Alice, a television series based on Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the following decade, she earned a further supporting actress nomination for her role in Lynch’s Wild at Heart, a cult classic where she acted as the parent of her biological child Laura Dern’s role. A year later she obtained an additional nod for her acting in Rambling Rose which included Laura Dern.

“This was the film that Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she brought Laura and I to London for a premiere and a party for us,” Ladd said regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, grasping our hands, and weeping, seeing us act.”

The nineties also saw roles in comedy Cemetery Club reuniting her with Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a satirical film, starring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she played Laura Dern’s mom once more. That period also saw her score Emmy nominations for performances on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.

Collaborations with Daughter

She continued to star with her daughter in dramatic comedies the film Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and White’s comedy-drama series Enlightened, a TV series. She also appeared next to 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 featured Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Writing and Directing

She also authored and helmed the comedy Mrs Munck, a film that included her and ex-husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is a great actor,” she mentioned. “I was honored to direct him in a film. In fact, I stand as the only woman in history to helm a film with her ex. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, if you seek payback, direct your ex-husband.’ However, I’m joking.”

Personal Connections

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

Back in 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with a pulmonary condition and advised she had just six months to live but made a full recovery once her daughter transferred her to another medical facility.

“Should you harness your suffering and prevent it from festering similar to a wound, instead use it to discover, to make the path clearer for personal and collective growth, then you are triumphing,” Ladd remarked.