The entertainment world is mourning the death of celebrated actress Diane Ladd, a three-time Academy Award nominee whose career spanned more than seven decades. Ladd passed away peacefully at her home in Ojai, California, on November 3, 2025, at the age of 89.
Her daughter, Laura Dern, confirmed the heartbreaking news, saying her mother died with her by her side. “My amazing hero and my profound gift of a mother,” Dern shared in a statement, remembering Ladd as a beacon of love, creativity, and resilience.
Born Rose Diane Ladner on November 29, 1935, in Laurel, Mississippi, Ladd became one of Hollywood’s most respected and versatile performers. She earned three Academy Award nominations for her standout roles in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), Wild at Heart (1990), and Rambling Rose (1991). Her filmography also includes classics such as Chinatown, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and the Hallmark Channel series Chesapeake Shores, where she won over a new generation of fans.
Throughout her life, Ladd was known not only for her acting talent but also for her vitality and spiritual depth. Colleagues described her as a “force of nature” who was as passionate about storytelling as she was about mentoring younger artists.
In her later years, Ladd battled serious lung issues but continued to work and write, proving her enduring strength and dedication to her craft.
Tributes have poured in from across Hollywood. Actress Reese Witherspoon called her “a beautiful spirit and a born storyteller,” while longtime collaborators praised her as “a creative genius until the very end.”
Ladd is survived by her daughter Laura Dern, her grandchildren, and countless friends and fans around the world.
Her legacy—both on-screen and off—will forever shine as a testament to her immense talent, her courage, and her unwavering light.