Diane Ladd, Oscar-Nominated Actress and Mother to Laura Dern, Dies at 89

Hollywood is mourning the loss of acclaimed actress Diane Ladd, a three-time Academy Award nominee and beloved mother of actress Laura Dern. Ladd passed away at her home in Ojai, California, at the age of 89.

Her daughter, Laura Dern, shared the heartbreaking news on Monday, November 3, saying:

“My amazing hero and my profound gift of a mother, Diane Ladd, passed with me beside her this morning. She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist, and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created. We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”

A Trailblazing Career Spanning Seven Decades

Born on November 29, 1935, in Laurel, Mississippi, Diane Ladd began performing at a young age. Her natural talent quickly led her to Hollywood, where she shortened her last name from Ladner to Ladd.

In her early years, she appeared in television classics such as Perry Mason, Naked City, and Mr. Novak. Her first major film role came in 1966’s The Wild Angels, starring alongside Nancy Sinatra, Bruce Dern, and Peter Fonda — the latter becoming a lifelong friend.

Her breakthrough came with Martin Scorsese’s 1974 film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, where her portrayal of Flo earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. The film’s success inspired the hit CBS sitcom Alice (1976–1985), for which Ladd won a Golden Globe Award in 1981.Diane Ladd and Peter Fonda in ‘The Wild Angels’

A Life of Art, Resilience, and Family

Ladd’s filmography includes memorable performances in Wild at Heart (1990), Rambling Rose (1991), Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983), Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), Joy (2015), and Gigi & Nate (2022). She was nominated for three Oscars and three Emmys, cementing her place as one of the most respected character actresses of her generation.

Her personal life was marked by both triumph and tragedy. Ladd was married three times — most notably to actor Bruce Dern, with whom she had two daughters, Diane and Laura Dern. Their first daughter, Diane, tragically died in a drowning accident at just 18 months old, a loss that deeply shaped Ladd’s life and faith.

“The child is not supposed to die before the parent,” Ladd said in a 2023 interview. “You never get over that.”

Despite her pain, she guided Laura Dern with compassion and wisdom, inspiring her to become one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actresses.

Credit: Courtesy Laura Dern

A Powerful Mother-Daughter Bond

The two shared the screen multiple times, including in Wild at Heart, Rambling Rose, Citizen Ruth, Inland Empire, and the HBO series Enlightened. Their joint performance in Rambling Rose made history, earning both mother and daughter Oscar nominations in the same year.

In 2023, they co-authored a memoir titled Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life, Death, Love (and Banana Pudding) — a heartfelt reflection on their relationship, written after Ladd’s diagnosis with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

“All the deep listening filled us with love,” Laura said. “It was healing. This book brought us closer than ever.”

Laura Dern and Diane Ladd.Victoria Stevens

A Legacy of Grace and Strength

Diane Ladd leaves behind a legacy defined by passion, resilience, and authenticity. Her artistry transcended the screen, and her presence inspired generations of performers.

Her husband, Robert Charles Hunter, whom she married in 1999, passed away earlier this year. Ladd is survived by her daughter, Laura Dern, and her grandchildren, Ellery and Jaya Harper.

Hollywood will forever remember Diane Ladd as a woman of rare depth — an artist, a mother, and a storyteller who lived every moment with heart.

Diane Ladd was 89.
May she rest in eternal peace.