Diane Ladd: A timeless icon.
Diane Ladd is an American actress, film director, producer, and author.
She has appeared in over 200 films and television shows, earning critical acclaim and more than 57 international awards, such as the BAFTA, the Golden Globe, and the Independent Spirit Award.
She is also the mother of actress Laura Dern, with whom she has co-starred in several projects.
Diane Ladd was born on November 29, 1935, in Meridian, Mississippi, as Rose Diane Ladner.
She is the only child of Mary Bernadette, a housewife and actress, and Preston Paul Ladner, a veterinarian who sold products for poultry and livestock.
Notably, she is related to playwright Tennessee Williams and poet Sidney Lanier.
She was raised in her mother’s Catholic faith.
Currently, she is 88 Years Old.
She stands at 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) and weighs around 132 lbs (60 kg).
In this blog post, we will explore the life and career of Diane Ladd, one of the most talented and respected actors in Hollywood.
PHOTO Source | Instagram
Profile Summary
| Name | Diane Ladd |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Rose Diane Ladner |
| Date of Birth | November 29, 1935 |
| Place of Birth | Meridian, Mississippi, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Occupation | Actress, Film Director, Producer, Author |
| Spouse(s) | Bruce Dern (m. 1960; div. 1969) <br> William Shea Jr. (m. 1969; div. 1977) <br> Robert Hunter (m. 1999) |
| Children | 2, including Laura Dern |
| Height | 5’ 7″ (170 cm) |
| Weight | 132 lbs (60 kg) |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Blue |
Her Early Life, Family And Education
Diane Ladd’s upbringing unfolded in a quaint Mississippi town, where her passion for acting and storytelling blossomed.
Influenced by her mother, a local actress with ties to Tennessee Williams, and her distant cousin Sidney Lanier, a renowned poet and musician, Diane embraced her artistic lineage.
Her educational journey commenced at St. Aloysius Academy, a Catholic girls’ school.
Excelling in academics and extracurriculars, she held leadership roles such as student council president, school newspaper editor, and cheerleading squad captain.
Engaging in drama, music, and dance clubs, Diane graduated as the valedictorian in 1953.
Post high school, Diane pursued studies at Louisiana State University, majoring in psychology and minoring in drama.
Active in the Delta Gamma sorority and university theater group, she graduated with honors in 1957.
Diane’s Personal Life Marriages And Children
Diane Ladd’s personal life unfolds through three marriages.
Initially wed to actor Bruce Dern in 1960, they had two daughters, Diane Elizabeth and Laura Elizabeth.
Tragedy struck when Diane Elizabeth passed away at 18 months.
Laura pursued acting. Diane and Bruce divorced in 1969.
Her second marriage was to businessman and lawyer William A. Shea Jr., ending in divorce in 1977.
The third and current marriage is with writer-producer Robert Charles Hunter since 1999.
Collaboratively, they undertook projects like the book Spiraling Through the School of Life and the film Miracle in the Valley.
Her Professional Career And Breakthrough
Diane Ladd embarked on her acting journey in the late 1950s, featuring in stage productions, television, and films.
Broadway witnessed her debut in 1959 in Tennessee Williams’ play Orpheus Descending.
Film debut occurred in 1960 with Something Wild. Noteworthy roles followed in films like Chinatown, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, and Alice (TV series).
Her breakthrough came as Flo in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), earning her an Academy Award nomination and other accolades.
Diane showcased her versatility in films such as Wild at Heart, Rambling Rose, and The World’s Fastest Indian, and TV shows including Murder, She Wrote, Enlightened, and Chesapeake Shores.
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Diane Ladd explored directing, producing, and writing.
Her directorial debut was the 1995 film Mrs. Munck, and she produced and starred in Mother.
Authoring books like Spiraling Through the School of Life and A Bad Afternoon for a Piece of Cake, she showcased her multifaceted talents.
Diane’s Awards and Recognitions
Diane Ladd’s contributions to film and television have garnered numerous awards and honors.
She received Academy Award nominations for three outstanding performances in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Wild at Heart, and Rambling Rose.
A unique distinction lies in her Oscar nomination for a film directed by her daughter, Laura Dern, namely Rambling Rose. Her stellar role in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore earned her a BAFTA Award.
The accomplished actress has also clinched recognition at the Golden Globe Awards, securing one win for her role in Alice and accumulating four nominations.
Further accolades include three Primetime Emmy Award nominations, four Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, and two Independent Spirit Award nominations.
A victory in the Independent Spirit Awards came for her remarkable performance in Rambling Rose.
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Diane Ladd’s commendable career has been honored with additional awards, including:
The Women in Film Crystal Award, a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star, induction into the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience Hall of Fame, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mississippi Film Festival.
Net Worth And Income Sources
Diane Ladd boasts an estimated net worth of $20 million, a testament to her enduring success in film, television, and literary pursuits.
Her diverse sources of income encompass earnings from books, real estate investments in Los Angeles and Ojai, California, and various ventures.
Philanthropic Ventures
Beyond her artistic endeavors, Diane Ladd is an altruistic philanthropist.
Serving as the president of the Art and Culture Taskforce, a non-profit organization advocating for arts and culture in American schools, she passionately supports causes such as environmental protection, animal welfare, human rights, and health research.
Charitable contributions have been directed to organizations including the American Cancer Society, the Humane Society, the Sierra Club, and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Active participation in fundraisers and events for the Children’s Miracle Network, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Special Olympics underscores her commitment to philanthropy.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Diane Ladd
Q: How old is Diane Ladd?
A: Diane Ladd was born on November 29, 1935, in Laurel, Mississippi. She is currently 88 years old.
