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This Oscar-nominated performer Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran has died aged 89.

The actress, whose credits featured Chinatown, died at her home in California’s Ojai. This announcement was revealed in a statement by her child, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern.

Dern, who performed alongside Diane Ladd in a number of films such as Wild at Heart, called her “my incredible hero as well as my precious gift of a mother”, stating that she was at her bedside when she passed.

“She was an exceptional grandmother, mother, daughter, star, artist along with empathetic spirit that seemed almost dreamlike,” she expressed. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.”

Beginnings and Rise to Fame

Her initial acting years saw minor parts in television programs such as Perry Mason and the seventies featured her performing with Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.

During that year, the year 1974, she appeared with Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s celebrated comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting brought Ladd her initial Oscar nod in the supporting actress category.

Later Decades

During the eighties, she appeared in the thriller the movie Black Widow as well as humorous film Christmas Vacation and also took part in the show Alice, a comedy program derived from the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the subsequent decade, she received a further best supporting actress nomination for her role in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the mother of her real-life daughter Laura Dern’s role. The following year she received a further nomination for her acting in Rambling Rose which also starred her daughter.

“This movie that the late Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she brought me and Laura to England for a royal premiere and an event in our honor,” Ladd recalled about the film Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, and weeping, watching us perform.”

The nineties included parts in the comedy Cemetery Club joining her again with Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a political comedy, starring John Travolta and the film by Alexander Payne Citizen Ruth where she acted as Laura Dern’s mom another time. That period also earned her Emmy nominations for work in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, the show Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.

Collaborations with Daughter

She kept appearing with her daughter in comedy drama Daddy and Them, a movie, Lynch’s Inland Empire, a surreal film and White’s satirical show Enlightened. She was also seen next to Sandra Bullock in the film 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film plus Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances consisted of Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.

Behind the Camera

She additionally penned and oversaw the humorous movie Mrs Munck that included Diane Ladd and previous spouse actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she said. “It was a privilege to guide him on a project. Actually, I am the sole female in recorded history to direct her ex-husband. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, if you seek payback, helm a movie with your ex.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Family Ties

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

In 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with a pulmonary condition and informed she had just six months to live but she regained full health after her daughter transferred her to a different hospital.

“When you use your pain and avoid letting it accumulate like an injury, rather utilize it to investigate, to illuminate the way for you and those around, then you are triumphing,” Ladd said.