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This Academy Award-nominated actress Diane Ladd passed away 89 years old.

This actor, whose roles included National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home in Ojai, California. This announcement was shared through a message by her offspring, award-winning actress Laura Dern, her daughter.

Laura Dern, who performed alongside her mom in various films such as Rambling Rose, described her as “my incredible hero as well as my precious gift of a mother”, writing that she was present when she passed.

“She was an exceptional grandmother, mother, daughter, star, artist as well as caring individual that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she wrote. “We were blessed to have her. She is now with the angels.”

Beginnings and Breakthrough

Her initial acting years saw minor parts on television series such as Perry Mason and the seventies had her appearing with the legendary Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.

In the same year, 1974, she appeared alongside Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s praised film the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting earned Ladd her first Oscar nomination in the supporting actress category.

1980s and Beyond

During the eighties, she appeared in crime thriller the movie Black Widow plus funny follow-up National Lampoon’s holiday comedy while also joining Alice, a comedy program inspired by Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the subsequent decade, she received another Oscar nomination for supporting actress Oscar nomination for her performance in David Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she played the parent of her biological child Dern’s character. The next year she received an additional nod for her acting in the film Rambling Rose that also featured Laura Dern.

“This movie that Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she invited me and Laura to London for a royal premiere and an event for us,” Ladd shared regarding Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, taking our hands, and weeping, seeing us act.”

That decade included parts in humorous films Cemetery Club reuniting her with Burstyn, Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, starring John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she acted as Laura Dern’s mom once more. The decade also brought her TV award nominations for roles in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, the show Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.

Working with Laura Dern

She continued to star alongside her daughter in comedy drama the film Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire, a surreal film and the series by Mike White satirical show Enlightened, a TV series. She also appeared alongside actress Sandra Bullock in the film 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins in that movie and Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances included Ray Donovan, a drama plus Young Sheldon.

Writing and Directing

Ladd also wrote and oversaw the comedy film Mrs Munck featuring herself and ex-husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a movie. Indeed, I’m the only woman in recorded history to helm a film with her ex. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, should you desire retribution, direct your ex-husband.’ However, I’m joking.”

Personal Life

She was additionally the third cousin of Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a significant impact throughout my life”.

In 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with a pulmonary condition and told she had just six months to live but she regained full health when her daughter transferred her to a new hospital.

“If you can take your pain and avoid letting it accumulate similar to a wound, instead use it to explore, to clarify the journey for personal and collective growth, then you are winning,” Ladd said.