Legendary actor Diane Ladd, a powerhouse of screen and stage whose career spanned more than six decades, has died at the age of 89. Her daughter, Laura Dern, announced that Ladd passed away at her home in Ojai, California, with Dern at her side.
Sharing the news with the world, Dern wrote, “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.”
How did Diane Ladd die?
Ladd’s death was publicly announced on November 3 at her home in Ojai, California, with Laura Dern by her side. At present, no official cause of death has been publicly confirmed. Her daughter noted that Ladd “passed away with me beside her this morning … at her home in Ojai.”
However, earlier in recent years, Ladd had been diagnosed with a serious lung condition — specifically, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) — and had spoken openly about it with Laura Dern.
Additionally, the timing of her death is poignant. Just three months earlier, Ladd’s husband of 26 years, Robert Charles Hunter (former CEO of PepsiCo Food Systems), passed away in August at age 77. Ladd died shortly thereafter, raising speculation that the two closely-timed losses may have weighed on her.
What is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)?
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease where lung tissue becomes thick, stiff, and scarred without a known cause. This scarring, or fibrosis, makes it progressively harder for oxygen to get into the bloodstream, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and a dry cough. The condition is chronic, and while it can't be cured, treatments are available to help manage symptoms and slow its progression.
IPF is a rare disease with an incidence of approximately 2.3 to 5.3 cases per 100,000 people per year. However, it is more common in men and people over age 50, affecting approximately 5 million people globally.
The main symptoms of IPF are shortness of breath (especially with activity), a persistent dry cough, and fatigue. Additional signs include unexplained weight loss, joint and muscle pain, and a feeling of tightness in the chest. In later stages, fingers and toes may appear clubbed, and the skin can become bluish (cyanosis).
Diane Ladd: The life and legacy
Born Rose Diane Ladner in 1935 in Mississippi, Ladd emerged from a modest background to become one of Hollywood’s most memorable character actresses.
She launched her career as a stage performer, dancer, and model before moving into film and television. She trained at the Actors Studio, spent early years modeling and dancing in New York, and gradually shifted to acting.
Her breakthrough came in 1974 with Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (dir. Martin Scorsese), in which she portrayed Flo, a tough-talking waitress, earning her first Academy Award nomination. Ladd went on to receive Oscar nominations for supporting roles in Wild at Heart (1990) and Rambling Rose (1991) — the latter film featuring her real-life daughter Laura Dern, making them the first mother-daughter duo to be nominated for an Oscar for the same film.
Ladd’s career included over 200 film and television credits, including roles in Chinatown, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and TV series such as Enlightened with her daughter. Ladd’s craft was defined by her versatility, her strength in playing complex characters, and her commitment to the art form.
In the years leading up to her death, Ladd remained active and reflective. In 2023, she co-authored a memoir with Laura Dern titled Honey, Baby, Mine, exploring themes of mortality, connection, and creativity against the backdrop of her health crisis. Her professional output did not cease — in fact, she continued appearing in film and television into the 2020s.
Diane Ladd is survived by her daughter, Laura Dern, her grandchildren, and a body of work that will continue to speak to future generations.
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Sharing the news with the world, Dern wrote, “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.”
How did Diane Ladd die?
Ladd’s death was publicly announced on November 3 at her home in Ojai, California, with Laura Dern by her side. At present, no official cause of death has been publicly confirmed. Her daughter noted that Ladd “passed away with me beside her this morning … at her home in Ojai.”
However, earlier in recent years, Ladd had been diagnosed with a serious lung condition — specifically, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) — and had spoken openly about it with Laura Dern.
Additionally, the timing of her death is poignant. Just three months earlier, Ladd’s husband of 26 years, Robert Charles Hunter (former CEO of PepsiCo Food Systems), passed away in August at age 77. Ladd died shortly thereafter, raising speculation that the two closely-timed losses may have weighed on her.
What is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)?
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease where lung tissue becomes thick, stiff, and scarred without a known cause. This scarring, or fibrosis, makes it progressively harder for oxygen to get into the bloodstream, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and a dry cough. The condition is chronic, and while it can't be cured, treatments are available to help manage symptoms and slow its progression.
IPF is a rare disease with an incidence of approximately 2.3 to 5.3 cases per 100,000 people per year. However, it is more common in men and people over age 50, affecting approximately 5 million people globally.
The main symptoms of IPF are shortness of breath (especially with activity), a persistent dry cough, and fatigue. Additional signs include unexplained weight loss, joint and muscle pain, and a feeling of tightness in the chest. In later stages, fingers and toes may appear clubbed, and the skin can become bluish (cyanosis).
Diane Ladd: The life and legacy
Born Rose Diane Ladner in 1935 in Mississippi, Ladd emerged from a modest background to become one of Hollywood’s most memorable character actresses.
She launched her career as a stage performer, dancer, and model before moving into film and television. She trained at the Actors Studio, spent early years modeling and dancing in New York, and gradually shifted to acting.
Her breakthrough came in 1974 with Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (dir. Martin Scorsese), in which she portrayed Flo, a tough-talking waitress, earning her first Academy Award nomination. Ladd went on to receive Oscar nominations for supporting roles in Wild at Heart (1990) and Rambling Rose (1991) — the latter film featuring her real-life daughter Laura Dern, making them the first mother-daughter duo to be nominated for an Oscar for the same film.
Ladd’s career included over 200 film and television credits, including roles in Chinatown, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and TV series such as Enlightened with her daughter. Ladd’s craft was defined by her versatility, her strength in playing complex characters, and her commitment to the art form.
In the years leading up to her death, Ladd remained active and reflective. In 2023, she co-authored a memoir with Laura Dern titled Honey, Baby, Mine, exploring themes of mortality, connection, and creativity against the backdrop of her health crisis. Her professional output did not cease — in fact, she continued appearing in film and television into the 2020s.
Diane Ladd is survived by her daughter, Laura Dern, her grandchildren, and a body of work that will continue to speak to future generations.
Video
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