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The Oscar-nominated performer the celebrated Diane Ladd has died 89 years old.

The actress, whose credits spanned National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home in California’s Ojai. Her passing was announced in a statement from her child, award-winning actress Laura Dern.

Dern, who appeared with her mom in various films like Wild at Heart, described her as “my wonderful hero and my special gift being my mom”, noting that she was present during her final moments.

“She was an exceptional daughter, mother, grandmother, star, artist and compassionate soul that seemed almost dreamlike,” she stated. “We were blessed to have her. She is now with the angels.”

Initial Roles and Breakthrough

The start of her career included small roles in television programs such as Gunsmoke whereas the 1970s saw her starring alongside Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.

In the same year, 1974, she appeared alongside Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese praised dramatic comedy the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting brought Ladd her first Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.

Later Decades

During the eighties, she starred in the dramatic film the movie Black Widow as well as humorous film Christmas Vacation and appeared on the sitcom Alice, a comedy program inspired by the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

In the following decade, she earned another Oscar nomination for supporting actress nomination for her role in the David Lynch film the movie Wild at Heart where she played the mom of her actual daughter Dern’s character. The following year she obtained a further nomination for her role in Rambling Rose, another movie which included Dern.

“This was the picture which Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she brought me and Laura to the UK for a royal premiere and an event dedicated to us,” Ladd shared about the film Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, holding both our hands, and weeping, viewing our performance.”

That decade included parts in the comedy Cemetery Club, a film bringing her back with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political comedy, starring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth, a dark comedy where she acted as the mother of Dern another time. The decade also brought her Emmy nominations for performances in the series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.

Collaborations with Daughter

She persisted in performing alongside her daughter in films blending humor and drama Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project the movie Inland Empire and White’s satirical show Enlightened. She additionally starred alongside actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins, a legend in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film and Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances included the series Ray Donovan plus Young Sheldon.

Writing and Directing

She additionally penned and helmed the humorous movie Mrs Munck, a film which starred Diane Ladd and former husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is a great actor,” she noted. “It was a privilege to guide him on a project. In fact, I stand as the only woman ever to direct her ex-husband. I often joke: ‘I advise females, if you seek payback, helm a movie with your ex.’ Though I’m just teasing.”

Personal Connections

She was additionally the third cousin of the great Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a significant impact in my life”.

In 2018, Ladd was misdiagnosed with lung disease and advised she had just six months to live but made a full recovery after her daughter moved her to another medical facility.

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