Diane Ladd, veteran actress and mother of Laura Dern, passes away at 89

Diane Ladd, a three-time Academy Award nominee whose work in film and television spanned more than six decades, has died at the age of 89. As reported by Associated Press, Ladd’s death was announced on November 3, 2025, by her daughter, actress Laura Dern, who said her mother and occasional co-star had passed away at her home in Ojai, California.

In her statement, Laura Dern described her mother as both “an amazing hero” and “a profound gift,” but did not mention the cause of her death.

“She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created. We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”

Although no cause of death has been announced yet, Diane Ladd is known for her emotional depth and versatility. Ladd is recognized for her performances in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), Wild at Heart (1990), and Rambling Rose (1991), which earned her three Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actress.

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About Diane Ladd

Rose Diane Ladd (Image via Instagram/@rosedianeladd)

Ladd received Oscar nominations three times for her performances in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Wild at Heart, and Rambling Rose. Additionally, she earned Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, winning a Golden Globe for her role in the TV show Alice, which aired from 1976 to 1985.

Born in Laurel, Mississippi, and raised in a Catholic household, Ladd began performing in plays around New Orleans before heading to New York to pursue TV and stage work.

Her early TV appearances included Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, and The Big Valley. She is known for her role as Flo in Scorsese's Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, which even earned a nod from the Oscars.

Ladd kept appearing in numerous movies and TV shows from start to finish. Her roles appeared in Chinatown, then moved to National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, continued through Primary Colors, 28 Days, and along Joy.

She appeared on TV shows like Touched by an Angel, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, and later Ray Donovan, followed by Young Sheldon and Chesapeake Shores. Outside of performing, she took charge behind the camera by directing and scripting the 1995 movie Mrs. Munck, and also published a personal book titled Spiraling Through the School of Life in 2006.

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Personal life of Diane Ladd

Ladd married three times. Her first marriage was to actor Bruce Dern, lasting from 1960 to 1969. They raised two daughters: Diane Elizabeth, who died young, and Laura Dern, who became well-known for her acting career. She later married William A. Shea Jr. (1969–1977) and, in 1999, Robert Charles Hunter, a writer and former PepsiCo executive, with whom she stayed married until his death in 2025.

Diane Ladd lived in Ojai, California, during her later years. While there is no official confirmation about the cause of her death, Ladd was recently diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. She died at her home in Ojai on November 3, 2025, at the age of 89.

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