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The award-nominated performer Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran has died 89 years old.

The star, with credits included National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, passed away at home in California’s Ojai. Her passing was announced through a message shared by her child, Oscar-winning actor Laura Dern.

Her daughter, who appeared with her mom in several movies such as Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my amazing hero as well as my precious gift of a mother”, noting that she was at her bedside as she died.

“She was the most wonderful daughter, mother, grandmother, performer, creative and empathetic spirit that seemed almost dreamlike,” she expressed. “We were fortunate to know her. Her spirit soars with angels.”

Initial Roles and Major Success

Her initial acting years saw supporting roles in TV shows including Perry Mason and the 1970s had her appearing with Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.

In the same year, 1974, she appeared with actress Ellen Burstyn in the Martin Scorsese celebrated film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her role earned Ladd an Academy Award nomination as best supporting actress.

1980s and Beyond

Throughout the 1980s, she starred in crime thriller Black Widow, a suspense story plus humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining the sitcom Alice, a sitcom based on her earlier movie.

In the subsequent decade, she received an additional best supporting actress nomination for her performance in David Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she played the mom of her actual daughter Laura Dern’s role. The following year she received a further nomination for her role in Rambling Rose, another movie that also featured her daughter.

“This was the picture which Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she flew Laura and I to England for a royal premiere and a party dedicated to us,” Ladd shared about the film Rambling Rose. “She sat with us, holding both our hands, with tears, watching us perform.”

The 1990s featured performances in the comedy Cemetery Club bringing her back with Burstyn, the movie Primary Colors, a political comedy, featuring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she played Laura Dern’s mom once more. The decade also earned her TV award nominations for roles on Dr Quinn, Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel.

Collaborations with Daughter

She continued to star alongside her daughter in films blending humor and drama the film Daddy and Them, Lynch’s Inland Empire, a surreal film and White’s comedy-drama series the program Enlightened. She also appeared with actress Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, a movie, Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian plus Jennifer Lawrence in Joy.

Her later TV roles featured Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon, a comedy.

Writing and Directing

Ladd also wrote and helmed the humorous movie Mrs Munck, a film that included her and previous spouse Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “It was a privilege to guide him on a project. Actually, I stand as the only woman ever to helm a film with her ex. I make a joke: ‘I advise females, if you seek payback, guide your former spouse.’ However, I’m joking.”

Family Ties

Ladd was also the third cousin of Tennessee Williams, who she called “a major inspiration throughout my life”.

In 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with a pulmonary condition and informed she had just six months to live but made a full recovery after her daughter moved her to a different hospital.

“When you use your pain and not let it back up like an injury, rather utilize it to investigate, to clarify the journey for personal and collective growth, then you are winning,” Ladd said.