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The Oscar-nominated actor Diane Ladd has died at the age of 89.

This actress, whose credits included Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, died at her home at her Ojai, California home. The news was revealed through a message by her daughter, Academy Award-winning star Laura Dern, her daughter.

Her daughter, who starred with Diane Ladd in several movies including Wild at Heart, called her “my incredible hero and my special gift being my mom”, stating that she was present as she died.

“She was the greatest mother, daughter, grandmother, star, artist as well as empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she expressed. “We were lucky to have her. She is now with the angels.”

Initial Roles and Rise to Fame

The start of her career saw minor parts in TV shows such as Perry Mason whereas the 1970s had her appearing alongside the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.

In the same year, the year 1974, she performed alongside Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese celebrated dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her acting brought Ladd her initial Oscar nod in the supporting actress category.

Later Decades

In the 1980s, she was seen in the thriller the movie Black Widow and funny follow-up National Lampoon’s holiday comedy while also joining Alice, a sitcom based on her earlier movie.

In the following decade, she was given an additional Oscar nomination for supporting actress Oscar nomination for her part in David Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the mother of her biological child the character played by Dern. The next year she was awarded a further nomination for her role in the film Rambling Rose which included her daughter.

“This was the film that the late Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she brought me and Laura to England for a premiere and an event in our honor,” Ladd said of Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, with tears, viewing our performance.”

The 1990s featured performances in comedy Cemetery Club, a film bringing her back with her co-star Burstyn, Primary Colors, a satirical film, with John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she played Dern’s mother once more. That period also brought her nominations for Emmy Awards for roles on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire, a sitcom plus Touched by an Angel.

Collaborations with Daughter

She persisted in performing alongside her daughter in films blending humor and drama the film Daddy and Them, Lynch’s Inland Empire, a surreal film and the series by Mike White dark comedy series Enlightened. She was also seen alongside Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in that movie plus Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances consisted of the series Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Behind the Camera

She additionally penned and helmed the humorous movie Mrs Munck, a film that included her and ex-husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is a great actor,” she noted. “It was a privilege to guide him on a project. Indeed, I’m the only woman in history to direct her ex-husband. I humorously say: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Family Ties

She was additionally a family member of playwright Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a significant impact throughout my life”.

During 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and told her life expectancy was six months but made a full recovery when her daughter moved her to a different hospital.

“Should you harness your suffering and prevent it from festering similar to a wound, instead apply it to explore, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are succeeding,” Ladd said.