Actress Diane Ladd, 'Wild at Heart' Star, Dies at 89
Actress Diane Ladd, known for her roles in 'Wild at Heart' and 'Jumbo', has passed away at the age of 89. Ladd was the mother of acclaimed actress Laura Dern. Her death comes just three months after the passing of her husband, Robert Charles Hunter, at 77.
Ladd's health took a turn in 2019 when she was given six months to live due to lung scarring. However, with the support of her daughter Laura Dern, she made a remarkable recovery. The mother-daughter duo chronicled their journey in their 2023 book 'Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life, Death, Love (and Banana Pudding)', which was based on their walks together in Santa Monica after Ladd's diagnosis.
Ladd's cause of death has not been immediately shared. She is survived by her daughter Laura Dern and her two grandchildren, Ellery and Jaya. Ladd's husband, Robert Charles Hunter, was a former CEO of PepsiCo Food Systems and a novelist, having written 'Curious Journey: Origins' in 2008 and 'Curious Journey: Energy' in 2011. The couple cofounded Exxcell Entertainment in 1999 and collaborated on the 2006 film 'Inland Empire'.
Diane Ladd's impact on the film industry will be remembered, as will her strong bond with her daughter Laura Dern. Their shared experiences and love for each other are immortalized in their book, a testament to their resilience and the power of family.
