Diane Ladd died at the age of 89, and her beloved daughter, Laura Dern, shared the unfortunate news of her passing in a public statement. The Academy Award-winning actress provided a statement to The Hollywood Reporter confirming that her loving mother had passed away in her presence. Laura praised her mother, calling her the best daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist and empathetic spirit. He concluded his statement by saying, “We were lucky to have her. She is now flying with her angels.”
Diane Ladd dies at 89: a look at the illustrious career of Laura Dern’s mother and three-time Oscar nominee in Hollywood
The heartbreaking news of Diane Ladd’s death has shaken Hollywood, as she was one of the best actresses of her generation. Born Rose Diane Ladner on November 19, 1935, she had worked in more than 200 films and television shows. Some of his most memorable acting performances were seen in films and television shows such as Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Alice, Wild at Heart, Rambling Rose, Dr. Quinn, Curandera, Grace Under Fire, and Touched by an angel.
With three Academy Award nominations, three Primetime Emmy Award nominations, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress, Diane Ladd was also among the most famous actresses of her time. In addition to being an exceptional actress, she was also mistaken for the daughter of legendary actor Alan Ladd. It all started when the British Academy Awards included her as the daughter of Alan Ladd due to their identical surnames.
Was ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’ Actress Diane Ladd Related to Alan Ladd and Cheryl Ladd? here is the truth
Over time, confusion grew and people began to speculate that Diane Ladd was related to Alan’s daughter-in-law, Cheryl Ladd. Finally, in an old interview with a major publication, Diane came forward to put an end to the confusion, revealing that her original last name is Ladner and that it was shortened during the early days of her acting career in Hollywood. She clearly stated that she is not related to Alan Ladd and Cheryl Ladd. Diana said:
“Originally my name was Ladner, not Ladd. Hollywood took the ‘ner’ from me. When I won the British Academy Award, they announced that I was Alan Ladd’s daughter to 72 million people. And I’m not.”
wild at heart Actress Diane Ladd ended her first marriage to Bruce Dern following the death of their 18-month-old daughter, Diane Elizabeth.
Diane Ladd had an incredibly successful career in Hollywood, but unfortunately, on a personal level, she experienced many ups and downs. He wild at heart Iconic actress and actor Bruce Dern met in the early 1960s and, while working on the off-Broadway production of Orpheus Descending, became closer. The couple married in 1960 and welcomed their first daughter, Diane Elizabeth Dern, in November of that same year.
Heartbreakingly, Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern’s 18-month-old daughter Elizabeth died after falling into the pool while in the care of a babysitter. Although they welcomed their second daughter, Laura Dern, in February 1967, the death of their first daughter had already devastated them. In 1969, Diane and Bruce’s marriage ended in divorce, after which she raised her daughter, Laura, with the help of her actress mother, Mary Bernadette Anderson Garey.
rambling rose Actress Diane Ladd’s second marriage was to William A. Shea Jr., whose father, William A. Shea Sr., helped bring MLB back to New York.
After her divorce from Bruce Dern in 1969, Diane Ladd fell in love with renowned businessman and investor William A. Shea Jr., and the couple married that same year. They had no children and divorced in 1977 due to a series of irreconcilable issues in their marriage. For the uninitiated, William A. Shea Jr. was the son of legendary lawyer William A. Shea Sr., who helped bring Major League Baseball (MLB) back to New York City.
Alice Actress Diane Ladd’s Third Marriage to Robert Charles Hunter: Wedding to Former PepsiCo CEO on Valentine’s Day
After two divorces, Diane Ladd took her time before falling in love with someone. Finally, when she was in her early 60s, she crossed paths with former PepsiCo CEO Robert Charles Hunter in 1998 in Sedona, Arizona. After meeting each other, the mature individuals fell in love and began dating. Diane and Robert were married on Valentine’s Day, the day of love, in 1999. Alice The actress finally found someone who loved her the way she had always wanted to be loved her entire life.
Diane Ladd and Robert Charles Hunter also co-founded a production house and led a beautiful married life. Time and time again we have heard Diane praise Robert for always being her biggest cheerleader and supporter. Unfortunately, Robert passed away in August 2025 and months after the passing of her beloved husband, Diane Ladd also went to her heavenly abode on November 3, 2025. Our deepest condolences to Diane’s family and friends.
What do you think about Diane Ladd’s journey from the death of her first child to two divorces before finally embracing peace and love with Robert Charles Hunter? Let us know.
Read also: Meet Charles Leclerc’s fiancée, Alexandra Saint Mleux, influential and biggest supporter of the F1 player
