Acclaimed Actress and Mother of Oscar Winner Diane Ladd Passes Away at 89
Diane Ladd, the veteran actress known for her Oscar-nominated performances in films like "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," "Wild at Heart," and "Rambling Rose," has died at the age of 89. According to a statement from her representative, confirmed by CBS News on Monday, she passed away at her home in Ojai, California.
Ladd's daughter, Laura Dern, was by her side when she took her final breath. In a heartfelt tribute, Dern described her mother as "the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created." She went on to say, "We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now."
The cause of death has not been disclosed by the family.
A look back at Ladd's remarkable career reveals a woman who defied conventions and followed her passions. Born in Laurel, Mississippi, she was destined for stardom from an early age. Her great-grandmother once told her that she would one day be "front of a screen" and command her own audiences.
Ladd began her journey in the arts as a performer on stage and television before breaking through into film with Martin Scorsese's 1974 release "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore." Her Oscar-nominated performance as the acerbic, straight-talking Flo earned her widespread recognition. She went on to appear in numerous films, including "Chinatown," "Primary Colors," and "Wild at Heart," often collaborating with her daughter Laura Dern.
The two have a long history of working together, including their Oscar-nominated performance for "Rambling Rose." This remarkable mother-daughter duo has left an indelible mark on the film industry.
Throughout her illustrious career, Ladd demonstrated her versatility as a performer. She could effortlessly switch between comedy and drama, with credits ranging from television shows like "ER" and "Touched by an Angel" to appearances in "Alice," the spinoff of "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore."
Ladd's legacy extends beyond her impressive filmography. As a member of the arts community, she was connected to notable figures, including Tennessee Williams, who was her second cousin.
As we remember Diane Ladd, we honor not only an exceptional actress but also a devoted mother and family woman. Her passing leaves behind a remarkable body of work and a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of artists.
Diane Ladd, the veteran actress known for her Oscar-nominated performances in films like "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," "Wild at Heart," and "Rambling Rose," has died at the age of 89. According to a statement from her representative, confirmed by CBS News on Monday, she passed away at her home in Ojai, California.
Ladd's daughter, Laura Dern, was by her side when she took her final breath. In a heartfelt tribute, Dern described her mother as "the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created." She went on to say, "We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now."
The cause of death has not been disclosed by the family.
A look back at Ladd's remarkable career reveals a woman who defied conventions and followed her passions. Born in Laurel, Mississippi, she was destined for stardom from an early age. Her great-grandmother once told her that she would one day be "front of a screen" and command her own audiences.
Ladd began her journey in the arts as a performer on stage and television before breaking through into film with Martin Scorsese's 1974 release "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore." Her Oscar-nominated performance as the acerbic, straight-talking Flo earned her widespread recognition. She went on to appear in numerous films, including "Chinatown," "Primary Colors," and "Wild at Heart," often collaborating with her daughter Laura Dern.
The two have a long history of working together, including their Oscar-nominated performance for "Rambling Rose." This remarkable mother-daughter duo has left an indelible mark on the film industry.
Throughout her illustrious career, Ladd demonstrated her versatility as a performer. She could effortlessly switch between comedy and drama, with credits ranging from television shows like "ER" and "Touched by an Angel" to appearances in "Alice," the spinoff of "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore."
Ladd's legacy extends beyond her impressive filmography. As a member of the arts community, she was connected to notable figures, including Tennessee Williams, who was her second cousin.
As we remember Diane Ladd, we honor not only an exceptional actress but also a devoted mother and family woman. Her passing leaves behind a remarkable body of work and a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of artists.
my heart goes out to Laura Dern & her fam right now 
she sounds like such an amazing mom & person 
Diane Ladd's legacy is gonna live on thru her incredible body of work & the impact she had on so many people's lives 
her daughter & partner in crime (Laura Dern) are gonna miss her dearly, but it sounds like they have so many fond memories to hold onto 
just saw the news about Diane Ladd... she was such an iconic actress and i loved her in so many films 
her chemistry with Laura Dern is just magic 
it's amazing how much talent runs in their family 
and i have to give props to her for defying conventions and following her dreams from a young age 
she will be deeply missed but her legacy lives on through her amazing body of work 
it's sad news 
... and her daughter Laura Dern is a talented actress too 
... her legacy is def gonna live on through all the talented people she inspired 
. I mean, she was already an iconic actress even back in her 40s, let alone now. Her Oscar nominations are no surprise, but it's crazy that her daughter Laura Dern got to share those moments with her too 
. It's wild that someone from Laurel, Mississippi was destined for stardom, what are the chances? 
Anyway, her legacy lives on through her family and all the movies she made, so we should definitely keep an eye out for Laura Dern's next project 
just thinking about diane ladd makes me wanna watch all her old movies again, you know she was such an underrated actress 
anyway, it's crazy how diane lived for 89 years and accomplished so much, she really did defy conventions and followed her passions 
Her daughter Laura Dern's tribute to her was so touching, it made me get all teary-eyed. I'm glad we got to see her shine on screen for so long, but it's also sad that she's no longer with us. 
I'm still in shock after hearing the news about Diane Ladd's passing. She was such an iconic figure in the film industry, and her work will be deeply missed. The fact that she got to share her stage with her daughter Laura Dern on multiple occasions is just incredible. It's so beautiful to see a mother-daughter duo making it big together 
. I'm gonna go watch some of her old films now and pay my respects 
she was truly a Hollywood legend, always pushing boundaries with her roles and inspiring countless young actresses, including her amazing daughter Laura 
what can you say but tribute her incredible talent and loving spirit 
we'll miss her presence but her legacy will live on in our hearts 
just saw this... cant believe shes gone. i mean we all know shes been around for ages, 89 is old but still young right? 
& then bring out the emotional depth in films like "Rambling Rose". 
just heard about diane ladd... she was so talented & had such an amazing career 
. and her daughter laura dern is also a super talented actress, it's like they were born to act