The mother of Laura Dern was a three-time Academy Award nominee with an estimated net worth of $10 million. (Image: X/ Deadline)
Veteran Hollywood actress Diane Ladd, celebrated for her powerful performances and three Academy Award nominations, has died at the age of 89. The actress, who was honored for her roles in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore and Wild at Heart and was nominated for an Oscar, passed away in her Ojai, California, home. Her demise marks the end of an amazing career that left a lasting impact on the film business.
Born Rose Diane Ladner on November 29, 1935, in Laurel, Mississippi, Ladd was destined for a life in the arts. She was the only child of a veterinarian father and an actress mother, Mary Bernadette Ladner. Growing up around performance influenced her early on, and she started acting, singing, and dancing as a child. By the 1960s, she had moved into television and film, earning recognition for playing strong and layered female characters.
Diane Ladd's career was characterized by significant accomplishments and critical praise. Her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress came in 1974 when she portrayed the fiery waitress Flo in Martin Scorsese's Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. Afterwards, she was nominated for two additional Academy Awards for her roles in Rambling Rose (1991) and Wild at Heart (1990). Her performance in Rambling Rose was especially noteworthy because she and her real-life daughter Laura Dern were the first mother-daughter team to receive an Oscar nomination for the same movie in the same year.
Diane Ladd's family has a long history in Hollywood, and her legacy is closely linked to them. Renowned actress Laura Dern, who was by her side at the time of her death, was her mother. Dern honored her mother's talent and spirit in a heartfelt message. She described Ladd as "the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created," adding, "She is flying with her angels now." One of their joint legacies that is still cherished is their cooperative effort in Rambling Rose.
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Diane Ladd earned an estimated $10 million through her long and thriving career in movies and television. Her well-loved performances played a key role in building her wealth and reputation. Her life’s work showcases her remarkable talent and perseverance in a challenging industry.
