Laura Dern has paid tribute to her mother, Diane Ladd, who passed away at the age of 89 on November 3. She died of acute chronic hypoxic respiratory failure. Dern recently took to social media on what would have been her mother’s 90th birthday to share a heartfelt tribute, celebrating her both as a remarkable human and artist.
Laura Dern shares tribute to late actress and mother Diane Ladd on 90th birthday
Laura Dern took to Instagram to share a black-and-white photo of Diane Ladd along with a heartfelt note on what would have been her 90th birthday, following her passing. She wrote, “Happy birthday to my hero, the most extraordinary person I have ever known, on what would be her 90th today.” Further appreciating her as a human being and artist, she added, “As an artist and human being, you were always loving, always dreaming, always creating, and ever in service for all.” She concluded her note with “I love you, Mom.”
On November 3, Dern announced in a statement that her mother, Diane, had passed away at her home in Ojai, CA. She described her as “my amazing hero and my profound gift.” Her statement further read, “She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist, and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created. We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now.” (via PEOPLE)
In her death certificate, it is specified that she died of acute chronic hypoxic respiratory failure. According to the certificate, she battled interstitial lung disease for years, and her esophageal dysmotility significantly contributed to her condition.
Ladd’s acting career began in 1953, but she received her breakthrough in the industry with Martin Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974). She played Florence Jean “Flo” Castleberry, for which she was nominated for an Oscar in the supporting actress category. Her other famous projects included Chinatown, Alice, 28 Days, Black Beauty, and more.
