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The Oscar-nominated actress the celebrated Diane Ladd left us aged 89.

The star, with roles featured National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home in California’s Ojai. The news was announced in a statement from her daughter, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern.

Laura Dern, who performed alongside Diane Ladd in several movies such as Rambling Rose, called her “my amazing hero as well as my profound gift of a mother”, writing that she was present during her final moments.

“She was an exceptional grandmother, mother, daughter, actress, artist as well as compassionate soul that seemed almost dreamlike,” she expressed. “We were fortunate to know her. She is now with the angels.”

Early Career and Major Success

The start of her career saw supporting roles in television programs like The Fugitive whereas the 1970s saw her starring alongside actor Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.

In the same year, the year 1974, she performed with Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s celebrated comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. The performance landed Ladd her first Oscar nomination in the supporting actress category.

1980s and Beyond

During the eighties, she starred in the dramatic film the movie Black Widow plus humorous film Christmas Vacation and appeared on the show Alice, a television series inspired by the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the following decade, she received a further supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role in David Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she played the parent of her real-life daughter the character played by Dern. The following year she obtained an additional nod for her performance in Rambling Rose, another movie which included Dern.

“This movie that Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she brought Laura and I to London for a special screening and a party for us,” Ladd recalled regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, taking our hands, and crying, watching us perform.”

The 1990s featured performances in the comedy Cemetery Club joining her again with her co-star Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a comedy about politics, starring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she acted as the mother of Dern once more. That period also brought her TV award nominations for work in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.

Partnerships with Her Daughter

She kept appearing with Laura Dern in dramatic comedies Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and Mike White’s dark comedy series Enlightened. She was also seen next to actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in that movie and Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances included the series Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon.

Behind the Camera

She additionally penned and directed the comedy film Mrs Munck that included her and previous spouse actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she noted. “I was honored to direct him on a project. In fact, I stand as the only woman in history to helm a film with her ex. I make a joke: ‘I advise females, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ But I’m only kidding.”

Personal Connections

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

During 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with a respiratory illness and informed she had just six months to live but she regained full health once her daughter transferred her to a new hospital.

“If you can take your pain and avoid letting it accumulate like an injury, instead use it to discover, to make the path clearer for yourself and others, then you are succeeding,” Ladd expressed.