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The Academy Award-nominated actor Diane Ladd has died at the age of 89.

This actress, with filmography featured Chinatown, passed away at home at her Ojai, California home. This announcement was shared in a statement shared by her offspring, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern.

Laura Dern, who performed alongside Diane Ladd in various films such as Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my incredible hero and my special gift being my mom”, writing that she was by her side as she died.

“She was the greatest mother, daughter, grandmother, performer, creative as well as empathetic spirit that seemed almost dreamlike,” she wrote. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.”

Initial Roles and Rise to Fame

Her initial acting years featured supporting roles in television programs including Perry Mason whereas the seventies featured her performing next to the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.

In the same year, 1974, she performed with actress Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her role earned Ladd her first Oscar nomination as best supporting actress.

Later Decades

In the 1980s, she starred in the dramatic film the movie Black Widow plus funny follow-up Christmas Vacation and also took part in the show Alice, a television series derived from her earlier movie.

In the subsequent decade, she was given another Oscar nomination for supporting actress Oscar nomination for her performance in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the mother of her real-life daughter Laura Dern’s role. The following year she received an additional nod for her acting in Rambling Rose, another movie which included Laura Dern.

“This movie that the late Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she flew me and Laura to London for a royal premiere and a party for us,” Ladd said regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, taking our hands, and weeping, viewing our performance.”

The 1990s included parts in humorous films Cemetery Club, a film bringing her back with her co-star Burstyn, Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, featuring John Travolta and Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth where she played Dern’s mother once more. The decade also brought her TV award nominations for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.

Partnerships with Her Daughter

She continued to star with her daughter in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and White’s satirical show Enlightened, a TV series. She also appeared next to actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins in that movie and Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Her more recent television parts included Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Behind the Camera

Ladd also wrote and directed the comedy film the movie Mrs Munck that included herself and ex-husband Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she said. “I was honored to direct him in a film. Indeed, I stand as the only woman in recorded history to direct her ex-husband. I make a joke: ‘I tell women, should you desire retribution, guide your former spouse.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Personal Life

Ladd was also the third cousin of Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a significant impact on my life”.

During 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and informed she had just six months to live but she regained full health once her daughter shifted her to a different hospital.

“If you can take your pain and not let it back up like an injury, instead apply it to discover, to make the path clearer for personal and collective growth, then you are winning,” Ladd expressed.