Golden Globe-winning actress Diane Ladd, celebrated for her roles in Chinatown and Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, has passed away peacefully at 89 in Los Angeles, leaving Hollywood and her daughter Laura Dern heartbroken as they honor the legacy of a fearless performer who turned pain and passion into timeless art.

Diane Ladd, iconic actress and Laura Dern's mother, dies at 89 -

Hollywood is saying goodbye to one of its most cherished talents.

Diane Ladd, the Golden Globe-winning actress whose career spanned more than six decades, has died at the age of 89.

Known for her sharp wit, emotional depth, and unforgettable screen presence, Ladd’s passing marks the end of an era in American film and television.

Her family confirmed that the actress passed away peacefully at her home in Los Angeles surrounded by loved ones late Sunday evening.

Her daughter, Academy Award-winning actress Laura Dern, shared a heartbreaking message on social media: “My mother was my greatest teacher and my dearest friend.

She taught me how to love, to fight, and to never stop believing in the beauty of art.”

Ladd’s career was nothing short of extraordinary.

She first rose to prominence in the early 1970s with her powerful performance in Roman Polanski’s Chinatown (1974), where she played Ida Sessions, a role that showcased her natural ability to blend vulnerability with intensity.

But it was her work in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), directed by Martin Scorsese, that solidified her place among Hollywood’s elite.

The film earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and later inspired the hit CBS sitcom Alice (1980–1981), in which Ladd starred and won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Belle Dupree.

Fans remember her not just for her talent but also for her warmth and resilience.

Diane Ladd Dead: 'Wild at Heart' Actress, Laura Dern's Mother Was 89

Even in her later years, Ladd continued to work, appearing in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart (1990) and Rambling Rose (1991), the latter earning her another Oscar nomination — this time alongside her daughter Laura Dern, marking the first time in history a mother and daughter were both nominated for Academy Awards for the same film.

Colleagues and friends from across the entertainment world have shared tributes online.

Director David Lynch described her as “a creative force — fearless, magnetic, and always honest.

” Actress Ellen Burstyn, her longtime friend and Alice co-star, said, “Diane had a heart as wild as the roles she played.

She never followed Hollywood’s rules — she made her own.”

Behind the camera, Ladd was known for her unshakable spirit.

In 2018, she was diagnosed with a severe lung disease and was told she might not live more than six months.

Yet, defying all odds, she not only survived but continued to act, write, and even publish a memoir titled Honey, Baby, Mine in 2023 — a moving reflection on life, motherhood, and the art of storytelling.

In one of her final interviews, she said softly, “I don’t believe death is the end of anything.

I think it’s another beginning.

 

Actress Diane Ladd, Laura Dern's Mother, Dead at 89

 

If I’ve done anything right, I hope it’s teaching my daughter and my audience to keep loving the world, even when it breaks your heart.”

Her passing has stirred a wave of nostalgia and emotion among fans who grew up watching her in film and television.

Many recall her Southern charm, her fiery humor, and her uncanny ability to make every character — no matter how small — unforgettable.

While no official cause of death has been released, sources close to the family say Ladd had been in fragile health over the past year but remained optimistic and active, spending much of her time with family and working on personal writing projects.

Diane Ladd leaves behind a legacy of brilliance, perseverance, and profound humanity.

From the smoky streets of Chinatown to the heartfelt diner scenes of Alice, she gave audiences a gallery of women who were complex, flawed, and deeply real.

As fans across the world share tributes, one quote of hers seems to echo louder than ever: “Life is not about surviving the storm — it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

Hollywood may have lost one of its brightest lights, but Diane Ladd’s spirit — fierce, funny, and full of grace — will continue to shine on every screen she ever graced.