The entertainment world is mourning the loss of acclaimed actress Diane Ladd, who passed away at the age of 89. Her cause of death has now been officially confirmed.
Ladd died from acute-on-chronic hypoxic respiratory failure, according to her death certificate obtained by People magazine. This condition occurs when there is not enough oxygen in the blood, often stemming from an underlying lung issue.
A Life in the Spotlight
The veteran actress, who appeared in more than 200 films and television shows throughout her illustrious career, died on November 3 at her home in Ojai, California. Her daughter, Academy Award-winning actress Laura Dern, was by her side.
In a heartfelt statement, Dern announced her mother's passing, describing Ladd as 'my amazing hero and my profound gift of a mother'. She added to People: '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.'
Health Challenges and a Stellar Career
Ladd's death certificate notes that she had been living with interstitial lung disease for several years, along with oesophageal dysmotility, a condition affecting swallowing. She was cremated on November 10.
Perhaps best known for her role in Martin Scorsese's 1974 romantic drama Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Ladd received three Oscar nominations during her career. She earned nominations for her performances in Wild at Heart (1990), where she played the on-screen mother to her real-life daughter Laura Dern, and Rambling Rose (1991).
Her television work was equally distinguished, earning her three Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe for best supporting actress in the CBS spin-off series Alice in 1981.
Hollywood Pays Tribute
Acclaimed director Martin Scorsese led the tributes, writing: 'I have so many good memories of making Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, and my experiences with Diane are among the best. Diane was a great improvisational actor — a matter of technique and discipline, but most of all instinct and artistry – and she had it all.'
Her first husband, actor Bruce Dern, called her a 'tremendous actress' and praised her as a 'wonderful mother to our incredible wunderkind daughter'.
Nancy Sinatra shared a heartfelt message on social media, calling Ladd one of her 'closest, oldest and dearest friends' and 'a great lady, a fun pal and a fine writer'.
Ladd's remarkable career spanned decades with notable film appearances including Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983), Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), 28 Days (2000), and Joy (2015). On television, she had recurring roles in Kingdom Hospital and Chesapeake Shores.
In her personal life, Ladd faced tragedy when her daughter Diane Elizabeth from her first marriage drowned at just 18 months old. She was married three times, most recently to Robert Charles Hunter, who died in July 2025 aged 77.
Beyond acting, Ladd authored several books, including 2023's Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life, Death, Love (and Banana Pudding), which she co-wrote with her daughter Laura.
She is survived by her daughter Laura Dern, and grandchildren Ellery and Jaya.
