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This Oscar-nominated performer the celebrated Diane Ladd left us 89 years old.

The actor, with roles included Chinatown, passed away at home in California’s Ojai. Her passing was announced in a statement from her offspring, award-winning actress Laura Dern.

Dern, who appeared with her mother in a number of films such as Wild at Heart, described her as “my incredible hero as well as my special gift being my mom”, writing that she was by her side during her final moments.

“She was an exceptional mother, daughter, grandmother, actress, artist and caring individual that seemed almost dreamlike,” she expressed. “We were lucky to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”

Early Career and Breakthrough

Her initial acting years featured small roles on television series like Gunsmoke and that decade featured her performing with Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.

That very year, the year 1974, she appeared with actress Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s praised comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. The performance landed Ladd her initial Oscar nod for best supporting actress.

Subsequent Years

Throughout the 1980s, she was seen in the dramatic film Black Widow plus funny follow-up Christmas Vacation and also took part in the sitcom Alice, a comedy program derived from the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the following decade, she was given another supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role in David Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she acted as the mom of her real-life daughter the character played by Dern. The next year she was awarded another nomination for her performance in the film Rambling Rose which also starred her daughter.

“This movie which Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she brought us to London for a royal premiere and a party dedicated to us,” Ladd said of Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, holding both our hands, and crying, seeing us act.”

The nineties included parts in humorous films The Cemetery Club reuniting her with her co-star Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, featuring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne the movie Citizen Ruth where she acted as Laura Dern’s mom again. Those years also brought her Emmy nominations for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.

Working with Laura Dern

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

Her more recent television parts featured the series Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon.

Behind the Camera

She also authored and oversaw the comedy Mrs Munck, a film which starred her and former husband Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a great actor,” she mentioned. “I was honored to direct him in a film. Actually, I stand as the only woman ever to direct her ex-husband. I make a joke: ‘I advise females, if you seek payback, guide your former spouse.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Personal Life

Ladd was also a family member of Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a major inspiration on my life”.

During 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with a pulmonary condition and informed her life expectancy was six months yet she recovered completely when her daughter shifted her to a new hospital.

“When you use your pain and not let it back up like an injury, instead use it to discover, to clarify the journey for yourself and others, then you are succeeding,” Ladd expressed.