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The award-nominated performer Diane Ladd has died at the age of 89.

This star, with roles spanned National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home in California’s Ojai. The news was revealed via an announcement shared by her daughter, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern.

Dern, who performed alongside her mother in a number of films such as Wild at Heart, described her as “my wonderful hero plus my special gift of a mother”, writing that she was by her side when she passed.

“She was an exceptional mother, daughter, grandmother, performer, creative along with caring individual that felt like a dream come true,” she expressed. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.”

Beginnings and Rise to Fame

Her initial acting years included minor parts on television series such as The Fugitive whereas that decade had her appearing with actor Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.

That very year, 1974, she shared the screen with Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese praised dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her role landed Ladd her initial Oscar nod as best supporting actress.

Subsequent Years

Throughout the 1980s, she starred in crime thriller Black Widow, a suspense story plus humorous film National Lampoon’s holiday comedy and appeared on the sitcom Alice, a sitcom inspired by the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the following decade, she earned a further supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart where she acted as the mother of her biological child Dern’s character. The following year she was awarded an additional nod for her role in Rambling Rose which also starred her daughter.

“This movie that the late Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she invited us to London for a special screening and an event dedicated to us,” Ladd said about the film Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, grasping our hands, and crying, watching us perform.”

That decade included parts in humorous films Cemetery Club, a film joining her again with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a political comedy, featuring John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth where she played Laura Dern’s mom once more. That period also earned her Emmy nominations for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.

Collaborations with Daughter

She continued to star alongside her daughter in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, a movie, Lynch’s the movie Inland Empire and White’s comedy-drama series Enlightened, a TV series. She also appeared with Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.

Her later TV roles included Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.

Filmmaking Ventures

She also authored and oversaw the comedy Mrs Munck, a film featuring Diane Ladd and ex-husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him on a project. Actually, I stand as the only woman ever who directed her former husband. I make a joke: ‘I advise females, if you want revenge, guide your former spouse.’ However, I’m joking.”

Personal Life

She was additionally the third cousin of playwright Tennessee Williams, who she called “a great influence in my life”.

During 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with lung disease and informed her life expectancy was six months yet she recovered completely after her daughter transferred her to a new hospital.

“If you can take your pain and prevent it from festering similar to a wound, instead apply it to discover, to clarify the journey for yourself and others, then you are triumphing,” Ladd remarked.