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The award-nominated performer Diane Ladd has died at the age of 89.

This star, with credits featured National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, left this world in her residence in Ojai, California. Her passing was revealed in a statement by her child, Oscar-winning actor her daughter Laura Dern.

Her daughter, who starred with Diane Ladd in several movies including Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, referred to her as “my wonderful hero as well as my special gift being my mom”, noting that she was present during her final moments.

“She was the most wonderful daughter, mother, grandmother, performer, creative and compassionate soul that only dreams could have seemingly created,” she stated. “We were fortunate to know her. She is flying with her angels now.”

Early Career and Breakthrough

Her initial acting years saw minor parts in TV shows like Perry Mason while the 1970s had her appearing next to the legendary Jack Nicholson in the film Chinatown.

During that year, 1974, she performed with actress Ellen Burstyn in Scorsese’s acclaimed dramatic comedy the movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her acting earned Ladd her first Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.

Later Decades

In the 1980s, she starred in crime thriller the movie Black Widow and humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining the sitcom Alice, a comedy program derived from the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

During the next ten years, she was given an additional best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her performance in David Lynch’s the movie Wild at Heart where she acted as the mom of her biological child Laura Dern’s role. A year later she received another nomination for her performance in the film Rambling Rose which included Laura Dern.

“This was the picture which Princess Diana selected as her very favorite, and she brought me and Laura to London for a premiere and an event dedicated to us,” Ladd shared of Rambling Rose. “She positioned herself between us, taking our hands, with tears, viewing our performance.”

That decade included parts in comedy Cemetery Club joining her again with her co-star Burstyn, Primary Colors, a political story, a satirical film, starring John Travolta and Payne’s Citizen Ruth where she played the mother of Dern another time. Those years also earned her nominations for Emmy Awards for performances in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, Grace Under Fire plus Touched by an Angel.

Partnerships with Her Daughter

She persisted in performing with Laura Dern in dramatic comedies the film Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire, a surreal film and White’s satirical show the program Enlightened. She was also seen with Sandra Bullock, a star in the film 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian and with Jennifer Lawrence in the film Joy.

Subsequent TV appearances featured Ray Donovan, a drama and Young Sheldon.

Writing and Directing

Ladd also wrote and helmed the comedy film Mrs Munck, a film featuring Diane Ladd and ex-husband Bruce Dern. “Bruce is a talented star,” she said. “I’m privileged to have directed him in a film. In fact, I’m the only woman ever to helm a film with her ex. I often joke: ‘I say ladies, should you desire retribution, helm a movie with your ex.’ However, I’m joking.”

Personal Life

Ladd was also a family member of playwright Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a significant impact throughout my life”.

During 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with a pulmonary condition and informed her life expectancy was six months but she regained full health when her daughter moved her to a different hospital.

“Should you harness your suffering and prevent it from festering similar to a wound, rather utilize it to explore, to illuminate the way for yourself and others, then you are winning,” Ladd said.