As Laura And Bruce Dern Paid Tribute To Diane Ladd Following Her Death, Hugh Jackman And More Shared Sentimental Posts

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Diane Ladd, a celebrated actress with a career spanning seven decades, passed away on November 3rd at the age of 89. She received numerous accolades, including three Academy Award nominations, three Emmy nominations, a BAFTA for her work in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, and a Golden Globe for the television series Alice. Ladd was also the mother of actress Laura Dern, and both Dern and her father, Bruce Dern, shared heartfelt tributes following her passing, inspiring many others to share their own fond memories.

Laura Dern shared news of her mother, Diane Ladd’s, passing, describing her as “the greatest” and expressing gratitude for everything she gave their family. Dern said they were all incredibly lucky to have her.

My wonderful mother, Diane Ladd, passed away peacefully at her home in Ojai, California, this morning. She was a truly remarkable woman – a loving daughter, mother, grandmother, and a talented actress and artist. She had an incredible spirit and brought so much empathy to everyone she met. We were so lucky to have her in our lives, and she’ll be dearly missed. She is now at peace.

Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern, Laura’s father, were married from 1960 to 1969. He was her first of three husbands, and he often spoke about her incredible talent as an actress. He also admired how she helped other actors in Hollywood through her work on the Screen Actors Guild board.

Diane was an incredibly talented actress who didn’t get the recognition she deserved until she worked with David Lynch. Her role as Laura’s mother in Wild at Heart finally showcased her brilliance to a wider audience. Beyond acting, she dedicated decades to serving on the SAG board, offering valuable insight from an actor’s perspective.

Beyond her acclaimed roles that garnered Oscar and Emmy nominations, Diane Ladd appeared in the beloved film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation as Clark’s mother, Nora Griswold. She also played Marietta in David Lynch’s 1990 movie Wild at Heart, the mother of Laura Dern’s character, Lula. Notably, she portrayed Dern’s mother again in 16 episodes of the HBO series Enlightened during the 2010s.

Bruce Dern continued praising her, emphasizing that her portrayal of Laura’s mother was her most significant work. He then stated:

She lived a full and honest life, and was a joy to work with as a colleague. She was witty, intelligent, and kind. But above all, I will always cherish her as the loving mother of our amazing daughter. I’m eternally grateful for everything she was to us.

Several others in Hollywood also paid their respects to the late actress. Hugh Jackman shared a photo on Instagram Stories of himself with Diane Ladd and Laura Dern, recalling the stories Ladd would tell:

Meghan Ory also mentioned the late actress’s stories as she shared a photo of them from Chesapeake Shores on Instagram:

Nancy Sinatra wrote a lengthy Instagram post memorializing Diane Ladd. She said her heart goes out to Laura and Bruce Dern and said she knows her friend is now “one of His special angels.” She continued:

Diane Ladd was a very close, lifelong friend of mine. We went through so much together – raising our families, making a film, and supporting each other as we both grew. It was an emotional and unforgettable journey. She was a wonderful person, a delightful friend, and a talented writer. I’ll miss her deeply, but I’ll also cherish the happy memories we shared.

Jessica Lynn Wallace, who played Diane Ladd’s granddaughter in 2022’s Isle of Hope — Ladd’s final movie credit — called the actress “a legend, a force, a light” in her own social media tribute, which read, in part:

I’ll always remember your infectious laughter, thoughtful advice, and the passion you had for everything – your work, the world, and the people you cared about. Your kindness and patience meant so much, both on and off set. I’ll cherish the lessons you taught me and carry your spirit and strength with me forever. I feel incredibly fortunate to have known you. 🤍✨

Diane Ladd appeared in over 140 films and television shows throughout her career, which lasted from the 1950s to the 2020s. However, those sharing memories after her death emphasize that she was a remarkable person far beyond her work as an actress. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends.

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2025-11-04 20:40