Legendary actress Diane Ladd has passed away at the age of 89. Her daughter, Laura Dern, announced the news of her death yesterday. The late actress was hailed as one of the best performers of her generation as she fearlessly brought a lot of gravitas to every role that she played on film and TV.
She starred in some of the best films of all time and received three Oscar nominations in her illustrious career. She also appeared in several iconic TV shows in either guest or starring roles. She notably co-starred with her Oscar-winning daughter, Laura Dern, in some of the projects, where they played mother-daughter roles as well.
Here are the five Diane Ladd movies that you should watch to celebrate her life and legacy.
Chinatown
Ladd played the small role of Ida Sessions in the iconic film Chinatown, but her character proved to be a key player in the story as she triggered the web of deception that Jake Gittes underwent.
Despite her limited screen time, Ladd managed to make the most out of it and ended up becoming one of the most memorable parts of the film. That alone deserves a spot in the pantheon of great performances in her filmography.
Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
Ladd earned her first Oscar nomination for the supporting role of Flo Castleberry, Alice's sharp-tongued and feisty friend and co-worker, in Martin Scorsese's Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.
She managed to steal every single scene that she appeared in, making her a memorable character for audiences who have seen the film. Despite being a feisty character, she put a lot of heart into her role as she was a loyal friend to the titular character and made her one of the beating hearts of the story.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Ladd made a rare comedy turn on the big screen in the now-Christmas movie classic National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, where she played the role of Nora Griswold, Clark's mother.
While she wasn't a standout in the film, it was still great to see her show her comedic chops in a subtle kind of way, and she proved that she can play in a different kind of sandbox from what she was accustomed to at that point in her career. You can also argue that this might be the most rewatchable movie in her resume, given its cult status in the holiday season.
Wild at Heart
Ladd earned her second Oscar nomination in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart for her supporting performance as Marietta Fortune, the overbearing mother of Laura Dern's character Lula. This is the only time that a performer received an Oscar nomination for a Lynch film.
Some would argue that Ladd gave her most fearless performance in the film. Her ex-husband and Laura Dern's father, Bruce Dern, acknowledged the film as where "the world really understood her brilliance" in his statement of his reaction on Ladd's passing.
Rambling Rose
Rambling Rose marked Ladd's third and final Oscar nomination. She starred in the film once again with her daughter, Laura Dern, who also received an Oscar nomination for the first film. This is the first time that a mother-daughter duo received an Oscar nomination in the same film or in the same year.
The film is another showcase of Ladd's great talent as a performer, and it helps that she shared the screen with her daughter. Their familial chemistry was felt on the screen. There was no question that they deserved the historic Oscar nominations they received for the film.
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