Hollywood mourns the loss of legendary actress Diane Ladd, who has died at 89, just months after her husband Robert Charles Hunter’s passing. The three-time Oscar nominee and mother of Laura Dern leaves behind a remarkable legacy of film, love, and resilience. Fans remember her iconic roles in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Wild at Heart, and Rambling Rose, as well as her unbreakable bond with her daughter.
Hollywood is mourning the loss of one of its most beloved and enduring talents. Diane Ladd, the three-time Oscar-nominated actress known for her rich portrayals in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Rambling Rose, and Wild at Heart, has passed away at the age of 89. Her daughter, acclaimed actress Laura Dern, confirmed the news on Monday, November 3, sharing that her mother “passed away with me beside her this morning, at her home in Ojai, California.”
“She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist, and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created,” Dern said in a heartfelt statement. “We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”
Ladd’s passing comes just three months after the death of her husband, Robert Charles Hunter, who died on July 31 at 77. Hunter, a former CEO of PepsiCo Food Systems, passed away in Fort Worth, Texas, while visiting his children. The couple had shared a partnership that blended love and creativity; they co-founded Excel Entertainment in 1999, the same year they married. Hunter even made a small appearance alongside Ladd and Dern in David Lynch’s 2006 surreal drama Inland Empire.
A Life Built on Art and Grit
Born in Meridian, Mississippi, in 1935, Diane Ladd grew up with a passion for storytelling and performance. She began her career in theater before moving to film and television in the 1970s, quickly earning recognition for her authenticity and emotional depth. Her breakthrough came with Martin Scorsese’s 1974 film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, where she played the outspoken waitress Flo. The role earned her the first of her three Academy Award nominations and later inspired the hit TV sitcom Alice, in which Ladd also appeared.
Throughout her six-decade career, Ladd’s work spanned genres and generations. She became a regular collaborator of visionary filmmaker David Lynch, appearing in cult favorites like Wild at Heart (1990) and Inland Empire (2006). Her ability to bring humanity to eccentric, complex roles made her a standout figure in both film and television.
Ladd’s television success included Emmy-nominated performances in Alice, Twin Peaks: The Return, and Enlightened, the latter a critically acclaimed HBO series in which she starred alongside her daughter Laura Dern from 2011 to 2013.
Family, Love, and Legacy
Beyond her impressive career, Diane Ladd’s life was defined by her deep bond with her daughter. She and Bruce Dern, her first husband and Laura’s father, were married from 1960 to 1969. Though their marriage ended, their daughter carried forward their shared artistic legacy. After her split from Bruce, Ladd was married to William A. Shea Jr. from 1969 to 1976 before finding lasting companionship with Robert Hunter.
Ladd’s relationship with Laura Dern went far beyond mother and daughter — they were collaborators, confidantes, and best friends. They appeared together in multiple films, including Rambling Rose, which earned both women Academy Award nominations in 1992 — a rare feat in Oscar history.
Their connection was beautifully captured in their 2023 book, Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life, Death, Love (and Banana Pudding). The project stemmed from long walks the two began taking after Ladd was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a serious lung disease. Doctors initially told her she had only six months to live, but she defied those odds through strength, faith, and love.
“We started walking and talking about everything — the past, the present, the mistakes, the love, the regrets,” Dern said during the book’s release. “Those conversations became healing for both of us.”
Ladd’s wisdom, humor, and Southern warmth shone through in those dialogues, making the book a touching testament to their bond.
Honored and Remembered
Over her lifetime, Diane Ladd received three Oscar nominations (Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Wild at Heart, Rambling Rose), three Emmy nominations, and a Golden Globe Award. Her performances were marked by honesty and intensity, and she became a role model for countless women in Hollywood who sought to balance artistry with authenticity.
Her daughter Laura Dern often spoke of her mother as both a mentor and hero. During her 2020 Academy Awards acceptance speech for Marriage Story, Dern paid tribute to her parents, saying, “Some say never meet your heroes, but I say if you’re really blessed, you get them as your parents. I share this with my acting heroes, my legends, Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern.”
Final Curtain Call
At the time of her death, Ladd had one final film still in post-production: Blue Champagne, written and directed by Blaine Novak. The movie, which also stars Jennifer Nicholson (daughter of Jack Nicholson), does not yet have a release date but will now serve as a posthumous tribute to her enduring craft.
Despite health challenges in her later years, Ladd never stopped creating or inspiring. Her life was a mosaic of resilience — from overcoming personal loss to leaving a mark on American cinema that will never fade.
A Lasting Light
Diane Ladd’s passing closes a remarkable chapter in Hollywood history — one defined not only by talent but by heart. She embodied strength, grace, and an unshakable love for storytelling.
She is survived by her daughter Laura Dern, her grandchildren Ellery Walker and Jaya Harper, and a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of artists.
As Laura Dern so beautifully put it, “She’s flying with her angels now.” And for those who loved her — both on and off the screen — Diane Ladd will forever remain one.
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