Diane Ladd, Oscar-Nominated Actress and Mother of Laura Dern, Dies at 89
Diane Ladd, the beloved Oscar-nominated actress and mother of Jurassic Park star Laura Dern, has died at the age of 89. Known for her powerful performances in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Wild at Heart, and Rambling Rose, Ladd was celebrated for her remarkable range, resilience, and six-decade-long contribution to Hollywood.
Her daughter, Laura Dern, confirmed her passing in a heartfelt statement on Monday. Ladd died peacefully at her home in Ojai, California, on November 3, 2025, from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Who is Diane Ladd?
Born Rose Diane Ladner on November 29, 1935, in Meridian, Mississippi, Ladd grew up as the only child of Preston Paul Ladner, a veterinarian, and Mary Bernadette Anderson Ladner Garey. Drawn to acting from an early age, she began her career in New Orleans theater before moving to New York City, where she performed Off-Broadway in Tennessee Williams’ Orpheus Descending in 1959.
Her captivating stage presence led to roles in film and television, and by the mid-1960s, she was appearing in productions like The Wild Angels (1966), The Reivers (1969), and Chinatown (1974).
Breakthrough and Acclaimed Roles
Ladd’s breakout role came in Martin Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), where she played Flo, a witty Southern waitress whose warmth and sass made her unforgettable. The performance earned her her first Academy Award nomination and inspired the long-running sitcom Alice.
Her second Oscar nomination came for her tender portrayal of Mrs. Hillyer in Rambling Rose (1991), a role that made history: both Ladd and her daughter, Laura Dern, were nominated for Oscars for the same film — the first mother-daughter duo ever to achieve this milestone.
Ladd’s third nomination was for David Lynch’s surreal masterpiece Wild at Heart (1990), in which she played Marietta Fortune, a dangerously manipulative mother — again opposite her daughter, Laura.
Throughout her career, Ladd’s performances balanced vulnerability and strength. She also appeared in acclaimed films such as Chinatown (1974), National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989), Primary Colors (1998), Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), and Joy (2015).
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💖 A Deep Bond With Her Daughter, Laura Dern
Ladd and Laura Dern shared an extraordinary creative and emotional bond. Beyond Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, they co-starred in Citizen Ruth, Inland Empire, and HBO’s Enlightened (2011–2013), where they played mother and daughter.
They even appeared together — though Laura was uncredited — in White Lightning and Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In 2023, they released a joint memoir titled “Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life, Death, Love,” inspired by their long, healing walks after Ladd’s near-fatal illness in 2018.
Laura Dern once said of her mother:
“She’s the greatest actress ever. She doesn’t care what anybody thinks — she shows up with complete bravery and truth.”
Personal Life, Marriages, and Faith
Diane Ladd’s life was marked by love, tragedy, and resilience. She was married three times:
- First to actor and co-star Bruce Dern (1960–1969), with whom she had two daughters — Diane Elizabeth, who tragically drowned at 18 months, and Laura Elizabeth Dern, who went on to become one of Hollywood’s leading actresses.
- Later to William A. Shea Jr. (1969–1977), a Wall Street financier.
- Finally, in 1999, she married Robert Charles Hunter, the former CEO of PepsiCo Food Systems. They remained together until his death in July 2025, just three months before her own.
Ladd was also known for her spiritual nature and political engagement — she supported Jesse Jackson’s 1988 presidential campaign and often spoke passionately about justice, equality, and human values.
Health Battle and Recovery
In 2018, Diane Ladd was misdiagnosed with pneumonia and told she had six months to live after inhaling toxic farm spray that damaged her lungs and esophagus. Her daughter Laura intervened, transferring her to another hospital, where Ladd made a miraculous recovery.
This near-death experience deepened her spirituality and inspired her later writings about healing, forgiveness, and the power of love.
Legacy, Honors, and Final Years
Over her illustrious career, Ladd earned three Academy Award nominations, three Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe win, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010. She was admired not only for her talent but also for her outspoken honesty and advocacy for actors’ rights.
In addition to acting, Ladd was a director and author, writing Spiraling Through the School of Life and A Bad Afternoon for a Piece of Cake, both blending personal reflection with life lessons.
Even in her 80s, she continued working, appearing in The Last Full Measure and the Hallmark Channel’s Chesapeake Shores.
A Hollywood Icon Remembered
Diane Ladd’s passing marks the end of an era — a life devoted to art, truth, and family. From her humble beginnings in Mississippi to her rise as one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses, she leaves behind a legacy defined by grace, courage, and authenticity.
She is survived by her daughter Laura Dern and two grandchildren.
In her own words:
“Nothing’s going to be handed to you. You have to fight like a dirty rotten dog.”
FAQs
What was Diane Ladd’s cause of death?
Her family confirmed her death in Ojai, California, at age 89. The cause has not been publicly disclosed.
How many Oscar nominations did Diane Ladd receive?
She received three Academy Award nominations for Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Wild at Heart, and Rambling Rose.
Did Diane Ladd and Laura Dern work together?
Yes, they appeared together in multiple projects including Wild at Heart, Rambling Rose, Enlightened, and co-authored the 2023 memoir Honey, Baby, Mine.
