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This Oscar-nominated actor the celebrated Diane Ladd left us aged 89.

The actress, whose filmography included National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home in Ojai, California. Her passing was announced in a statement from her child, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern, her daughter.

Dern, who starred with her mom in various films including Wild at Heart, described her as “my incredible hero and my precious gift being my mom”, writing that she was at her bedside during her final moments.

“She was the most wonderful mother, daughter, grandmother, star, artist as well as empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she wrote. “We were lucky to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”

Beginnings and Breakthrough

Her initial acting years saw small roles in television programs including Gunsmoke whereas that decade featured her performing next to Jack Nicholson in Chinatown.

In the same year, 1974, she appeared with Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese acclaimed comedy drama Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting landed Ladd her first Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.

Subsequent Years

In the 1980s, she appeared in the dramatic film the movie Black Widow and funny follow-up Christmas Vacation and appeared on the sitcom Alice, a sitcom based on her earlier movie.

During the next ten years, she was given an additional supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role in the David Lynch film the movie Wild at Heart in which she portrayed the mom of her biological child Dern’s character. A year later she received an additional nod for her performance in Rambling Rose which also starred her daughter.

“This movie that the late Princess Diana chose as her absolutely favorite, and she brought us to London for a premiere and an event for us,” Ladd shared about the film Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, taking our hands, with tears, viewing our performance.”

The 1990s also saw roles in comedy Cemetery Club, a film joining her again with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a political comedy, featuring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she acted as Laura Dern’s mom once more. The decade also saw her score TV award nominations for work on Dr Quinn, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.

Working with Laura Dern

She kept appearing alongside her daughter in comedy drama Daddy and Them, a movie, David Lynch’s Inland Empire and Mike White’s comedy-drama series Enlightened, a TV series. She was also seen alongside actress Sandra Bullock in the film 28 Days, Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian and Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances consisted of the series Ray Donovan and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Writing and Directing

She additionally penned and helmed the humorous movie Mrs Munck that included herself and former husband Bruce Dern, an actor. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “It was a privilege to guide him in a movie. Actually, I stand as the only woman in history to helm a film with her ex. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, if you want revenge, helm a movie with your ex.’ However, I’m joking.”

Personal Life

She happened to be a relative of Tennessee Williams, who she referred to as “a major inspiration throughout my life”.

In 2018, doctors misdiagnosed Ladd with a pulmonary condition and advised she only had half a year left but she regained full health when her daughter moved her to another medical facility.

“When you use your pain and not let it back up similar to a wound, instead apply it to discover, to make the path clearer for yourself and others, then you are winning,” Ladd said.