Diane Ladd

Biography

Diane Ladd, born Rose Diane Ladner on November 29, 1935, was an American actress, film director, producer, and author. Over her career, she appeared in more than 120 film and television roles. Ladd gained critical acclaim for her performance in the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, for which she won a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and received an Academy Award nomination. She also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television for her role in the series Alice (1980–81) and earned additional Academy Award nominations for her performances in Wild at Heart (1990) and Rambling Rose (1991). Her notable film credits include Chinatown (1974), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989), and Ghosts of Mississippi (1996). Ladd was the mother of actress Laura Dern, with her ex-husband, actor Bruce Dern. She passed away on November 3, 2025.