Bruce Dern mourned the death of his former wife, Diane Ladd, who passed away on November 3, 2025. She was 89 years old.The two-time Oscar nominee called her a “tremendous actress” in his statement shared with Entertainment Now. He said that Ladd was a hidden treasure until she was discovered by director David Lynch, who cast her as Laura’s mother, Marietta Fortune, in Wild at Heart. He added:“She was a great value as a decades-long board member of SAG, giving a real actress’ point of view. She lived a good life. She saw everything the way it was. She was a great teammate to her fellow actors. She was funny, clever, gracious.”Dern concluded his message by adding that Ladd was a “wonderful mother” to their daughter, Laura Dern. The mother-daughter duo starred together in numerous films, including Rambling Rose, Inland Empire, The Siege at Ruby Ridge, and Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, among others.Continue to read more.Tributes pour in as Bruce Dern’s ex-wife Diane Ladd passes away People are remembering Diane Ladd, the ex-wife of actor Bruce Dern who recently passed away in her home in Ojai, California. Her death was confirmed by her daughter Laura Dern. She told Entertainment Weekly that her mother was an, “amazing hero and a profound gift of mother.”Laura added:“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.”Here is how the others are remembering the versatile actress.“Diane Ladd was one of my closest, oldest and dearest friends. We shared having our children, making our movie, and did a lot of growing up together. It was a wild, sentimental ride.” Eldest daughter of Frank Sinatra and actress, Nancy Sinatra wrote.“One of my favorite roles with this beautiful iconic actress was, Something Wicked This Way Comes. Condolences to Laura Dern and may Ms. Ladd Rip.” A fan wrote.Celebrities Visit SiriusXM - April 24, 2023 - Source: Getty“I’ve watched both seasons of Enlightened at least 4 times. It’s such a treat watching Diane Ladd and Laura Dern together as fictional mother and daughter.” Another added.“Laura and Diane at a book event I did for them to promote their book. Great read. Diane was fun and had great stories to tell!” A third person commented.“Rest in peace, Diane Ladd. You were a powerhouse who lit up screens for seven decades. Heartfelt condolences to Laura Dern and family.” Someone else added.“Three Oscar nominations, a full life at 89, and the headline still starts with 'mother of Laura Dern.' Some legacies just insist on being hyphenated. A true original.” A person said."Longevity like that doesn’t happen by accident, it’s brand, discipline, and grace over decades. The same principles that build lasting empires." A user wrote. The veteran actress and her former husband Bruce Dern tied the knot in 1960, and remained married for nine years until their divorce in 1969. Before becoming parents to Laura, the couple had another child named Diane Elizabeth, who tragically died in a swimming pool accident at 18 months.After her divorce with Dern, Ladd married businessman William A. Shea Jr..She then tied the knot with former CEO of PepsiCo Food Systems Robert Charles Hunter. They remained married until his death in July this year.