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The Oscar-nominated actress Diane Ladd passed away aged 89.

This actor, whose credits spanned National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home at her Ojai, California home. This announcement was revealed via an announcement from her daughter, award-winning actress her daughter Laura Dern.

Laura Dern, who performed alongside her mom in various films such as Rambling Rose, called her “my wonderful hero plus my profound gift of a mother”, stating that she was by her side when she passed.

“She was the most wonderful daughter, mother, grandmother, performer, creative along with empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she wrote. “We were lucky to have her. She is now with the angels.”

Beginnings and Major Success

Ladd’s early career featured supporting roles on television series including Gunsmoke and the 1970s saw her starring with the legendary Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.

That very year, 1974, she performed alongside Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese praised film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. The performance landed Ladd an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress.

1980s and Beyond

In the 1980s, she was seen in the thriller Black Widow, a suspense story plus humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and also took part in the show Alice, a comedy program based on Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

During the next ten years, she earned an additional supporting actress nomination for her performance in the David Lynch film the movie Wild at Heart where she acted as the parent of her biological child Dern’s character. A year later she was awarded another nomination for her performance in the film Rambling Rose which included Laura Dern.

“This was the picture which Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she flew Laura and I to the UK for a premiere and a celebration in our honor,” Ladd shared regarding Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, grasping our hands, and crying, watching us perform.”

The 1990s included parts in comedy Cemetery Club joining her again with Ellen Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a comedy about politics, with John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth where she played Dern’s mother another time. That period also earned her TV award nominations for work in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.

Working with Laura Dern

She kept appearing with her daughter in films blending humor and drama the film Daddy and Them, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and the series by Mike White comedy-drama series the program Enlightened. She was also seen with Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.

Her later TV roles consisted of the series Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Filmmaking Ventures

Ladd also wrote and directed the comedy film the movie Mrs Munck which starred herself and former husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I was honored to direct him on a project. In fact, I am the sole female in history to direct her ex-husband. I make a joke: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Family Ties

She happened to be a family member of the great Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a significant impact on my life”.

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

“When you use your pain and prevent it from festering similar to a wound, instead apply it to explore, to make the path clearer for personal and collective growth, then you are triumphing,” Ladd remarked.