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Diane Ladd playing waitress Belle Dupree in the comedy "Alice" in 1981. Source: https://www.remindmagazine.com/ (May be subject to copyright) |
That’s when she joined the cast of the comedy “Alice”, ostensibly replacing Flo, played by Polly Holliday, who had her own show spun off from “Alice”.
Little did I know how prolific Diane Ladd had been.
There was something else I didn't know, but discovered earlier this month. In her autobiography in the bookstore on the ferry to Vancouver Island – I learned actress Laura Dern is her daughter.
The years before
Diane Ladd has appeared in more than 120 film and television roles according to Wikipedia, starting in television in 1957 and movies in 1960.
Diane Ladd has appeared in more than 120 film and television roles according to Wikipedia, starting in television in 1957 and movies in 1960.
She had quite a resumé of supporting roles and bit parts by the 1970s, then had a supporting role in Chinatown in 1974, starring Jack Nicholson and directed by Roman Polanski.
That same year Martin Scorsese cast her in a movie called “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”. She played a character called Flo Castleberry opposite Ellen Burstyn, who played the title role of Alice. The movie focuses on a widow who travels across the southwestern United States with her young son, looking for a better life.
Ladd would earn an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for the role of Flo, and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture.
“Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” would go on to be adapted as a comedy for television.
It was called “Alice”.
Out in the desert
Diane Ladd became known to viewers in 1980 when she joined the cast of “Alice” as waitress Belle Dupree. Ironically, she was replacing Polly Holliday whose character – Flo Castleberry – had been given her own show.
Diane Ladd became known to viewers in 1980 when she joined the cast of “Alice” as waitress Belle Dupree. Ironically, she was replacing Polly Holliday whose character – Flo Castleberry – had been given her own show.
Ladd would appear in 22 episodes of ”Alice” in the 1980-1981 season before she too would leave, but not before winning a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film.
The ‘80s
Diane Ladd spent much of the decade appearing in movies. She was in a string of TV movies including “Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones” in 1980; “Desperate Lives” in 1982"; “Grace Kelly” in 1983; “I Married a Centrefold” in 1984; and more. She also had guest spots on “The Love Boat” and “Father Dowling Mysteries”.
Diane Ladd spent much of the decade appearing in movies. She was in a string of TV movies including “Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones” in 1980; “Desperate Lives” in 1982"; “Grace Kelly” in 1983; “I Married a Centrefold” in 1984; and more. She also had guest spots on “The Love Boat” and “Father Dowling Mysteries”.
She hit the big screen as well with roles in “All Night Long” in 1981; “Something Wicked This Way Comes” in 1983; “Black Widow” in 1987; “Plain Clothes” in 1987; and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” in 1989.
Her career would explode in the 1990s.
The years after
Diane Ladd would appear in “Wild at Heart “ in 1990 and "Rambling Rose” in 1991, earning Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actress for both films. She would also receive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” in 1993 and “Touched by an Angel” in 1997; and for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for “Grace Under Fire” in 1994.
Diane Ladd would appear in “Wild at Heart “ in 1990 and "Rambling Rose” in 1991, earning Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actress for both films. She would also receive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” in 1993 and “Touched by an Angel” in 1997; and for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for “Grace Under Fire” in 1994.
She continues acting to this day.
Like mother like daughter
Diane Ladd was married to actor Bruce Dern from 1960 to 1969. In 1967 they had a daughter, Laura Dern, who has gone on to become an accomplished actress as well.
Diane Ladd was married to actor Bruce Dern from 1960 to 1969. In 1967 they had a daughter, Laura Dern, who has gone on to become an accomplished actress as well.
She appeared with Ladd in “Wild at Heart”, “Rambling Rose”, ”Citizen Ruth”, “White Lightning”, and “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.”
When Laura Dern received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for “Rambling Rose”, it was the first time in history a mother and daughter were nominated for Oscars in the same film. They were also both nominated for Golden Globes in that same year.
When Laura Dern received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for “Rambling Rose”, it was the first time in history a mother and daughter were nominated for Oscars in the same film. They were also both nominated for Golden Globes in that same year.
In 2010, Diane Ladd, Laura Dern and Bruce Dern received adjacent stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the first time family members were given that honour.
Parting thoughts
Diane Ladd has had a prolific career that spans eight decades, but I will always remember that one season when we turned to Channel 7 at 10 p.m. on Sunday nights to watch her on “Alice”.
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