Diane Ladd, Oscar-nominated actress and mother of Laura Dern, dies at 89

Oscar-nominated actress Diane Ladd, known for Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, has died at 89, her family confirms

Diane Ladd, the acclaimed actress celebrated for her Oscar-nominated performances in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Wild at Heart, and Rambling Rose, has died at the age of 89.

Her daughter, actress Laura Dern, confirmed her passing in a statement on Monday.

“My amazing hero and my profound gift of a mother passed with me beside her this morning at her home in Ojai, California,” Dern shared. “She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created. She is flying with her angels now.”

Ladd’s seven-decade career was defined by fiery, heartfelt performances that blended strength, vulnerability, and humor. Her breakout role as the witty waitress Flo in Martin Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974) earned her an Academy Award nomination and instant acclaim. She later received two more Oscar nods for her roles opposite Dern in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart (1990) and Rambling Rose (1991).

Born Rose Diane Lanier in Meridian, Mississippi, Ladd began acting in theater before transitioning to television and film. She appeared in classics like Chinatown, Something Wicked This Way Comes, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and the Hallmark series Chesapeake Shores.

A Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee, Ladd also directed and wrote films, including Mrs. Munck (1995). Beyond her career, she was admired for her deep connection with Dern, with whom she shared both personal and professional milestones.

Diane Ladd’s legacy endures as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and beloved actresses — a Southern icon whose spirit will continue to inspire generations.