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The Oscar-nominated performer the celebrated Diane Ladd passed away aged 89.

The actress, whose credits included National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, passed away at home in Ojai, California. The news was shared through a message shared by her child, award-winning actress her daughter Laura Dern.

Dern, who appeared with her mother in several movies like Rambling Rose, called her “my incredible hero as well as my special gift as a mother”, stating that she was present during her final moments.

“She was an exceptional daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist and empathetic spirit that seemed almost dreamlike,” she stated. “We were fortunate to know her. She is flying with her angels now.”

Early Career and Rise to Fame

The start of her career featured supporting roles in television programs like Perry Mason while the seventies had her appearing alongside the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.

That very year, 1974, she shared the screen with actress Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese celebrated dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting landed Ladd her initial Oscar nod in the supporting actress category.

Subsequent Years

In the 1980s, she appeared in the thriller the movie Black Widow as well as comedy sequel Christmas Vacation and appeared on the sitcom Alice, a television series based on her earlier movie.

In the subsequent decade, she was given another best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart, a cult classic where she acted as the parent of her actual daughter Dern’s character. The next year she obtained an additional nod for her acting in Rambling Rose which included Laura Dern.

“This was the film which Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she flew me and Laura to London for a premiere and an event dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “And she sat between us, grasping our hands, with tears, viewing our performance.”

The 1990s included parts in comedy Cemetery Club, a film joining her again with Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a satirical film, with John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy in which she portrayed the mother of Dern another time. Those years also saw her score TV award nominations for roles in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom plus Touched by an Angel.

Partnerships with Her Daughter

She continued to star with her daughter in comedy drama the film Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and Mike White’s comedy-drama series Enlightened, a TV series. She additionally starred with actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in that movie and with Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.

Her later TV roles featured the series Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.

Filmmaking Ventures

Ladd also wrote and oversaw the comedy film Mrs Munck, a film featuring herself and ex-husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she noted. “It was a privilege to guide him on a project. Actually, I am the sole female in history to direct her ex-husband. I often joke: ‘I tell women, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ However, I’m joking.”

Personal Connections

Ladd was also a family member of playwright Tennessee Williams, who she called “a significant impact in my life”.

Back in 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a respiratory illness and advised she only had half a year left but made a full recovery after her daughter moved her to another medical facility.

“Should you harness your suffering and not let it back up like a sore or something, instead apply it to explore, to illuminate the way for personal and collective growth, then you are winning,” Ladd expressed.