Introduction

In a deeply touching moment, actor Bruce Dern pays tribute to his late ex-wife, actress Diane Ladd, who passed away on November 3, 2025, at the age of 89. Dern’s heartfelt message highlights their years together, her career, and the mother she was to their daughter, Laura Dern—showing how even relationships changed by time and change leave lasting bonds.

Background about Diane Ladd

Diane Ladd carved out a remarkable career in Hollywood over more than six decades. Known for her breakout role in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (earning her first Oscar nomination) and later in Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose, both of which also featured her daughter Laura. Born in Mississippi in 1935, Ladd became one of the industry’s most respected character actors, praised for her versatility and emotional depth. On November 3, 2025, at her home in Ojai, California, she passed away at 89 years old.

Bruce Dern Pays Tribute to Diane Ladd

In his public statement, Bruce Dern honored his former partner with admiration and gratitude: “Diane was a tremendous actress … a wonderful mother to our incredible wunderkind daughter. And for that I will be forever grateful to her.”
He remembered her as “funny, clever, gracious,” and a longtime champion for actors in her capacity on the SAG-AFTRA board.
While their marriage lasted from 1960 to 1969, Bruce’s tribute underscores that some connections endure beyond divorce—especially when shared children and shared history are involved.

Legacy

Diane Ladd’s legacy reaches beyond her film credits. With three Oscar nominations and a body of work exceeding 200 film and television roles, she stood as a testament to resilience, craft, and reinventing oneself over time. Through her motherhood of Laura Dern—and through collaboration, mentorship and generational resonance—she redefined what a career in acting could mean for women of her era. Bruce Dern pays tribute to Diane Ladd not only for her art, but for the bridge she built between their past and the future she helped inspire.

Conclusion

Bruce Dern pays tribute to Diane Ladd in words that reflect respect, shared history, and love that outlasts change. As fans and peers reflect on her life, this farewell stands as a reminder that legacy is as much about the lives touched as the awards earned. May we all take a moment to honour Diane Ladd’s remarkable journey—and the people who helped shape it.