“My amazing hero and my profound gift”: Diane Ladd, Oscar-nominated actress and mother to Laura Dern, dies at 89

Celebrities Visit SiriusXM - April 24, 2023 - Source: Getty
Celebrities Visit SiriusXM - April 24, 2023 - Source: Getty

Legendary American actress Diane Ladd, known for her roles in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore and Wild at Heart, died at age 89. According to reports, Diane died in her home in Ojai, surrounded by family. The news was confirmed by her daughter, Laura Dern.

“My amazing hero and my profound gift of a mother passed with me beside her this morning at her home in Ojai, Calif.”

She continued, describing her mother as the most outstanding family member and an empathetic spirit.

“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.”

Who was Diane Ladd?

Diane Ladd was born as Rose Diane Ladner on November 29, 1935. She was the only child of actress Mary Bernadette Ladner and veterinarian Preston Paul Ladner. She began her acting career in 1957 with a role in the 1957 crime drama series Decoy. She had a one-off appearance. That was a kick start to a celebrated acting career in both film and television.

She won the 1976 BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, the 1980 Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress- Series, Miniseries, or Television Film, and the 1991 Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.

Diane Ladd married Bruce Dern in 1960. They welcomed their first child, Diane Dern, who tragically died at age 18 after a drowning incident. In 1967, their second daughter, Laura Dern, was born. However, Diane and Bruce’s marriage became strained after the death of Diane, and they divorced in 1967.

“It tore us apart,” she told People magazine.

She married William A. Shea in 1969 but divorced him in 1977.

“My people pass love around, and why I selected two men who needed someone to give love and didn’t know how to give it. I hope I won’t repeat that again,” she told The New York Times.

Daine Ladd married for the third and last time on February 14, 1999, to Robert Hunter. They were together until Robert’s passing in 2025, three months before the actress’s death.


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Edited by Sroban Ghosh