News | Entertainment
4 Mar 2026 13:44
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Laura Dern has paid tribute to her "hero" mom Diane Ladd on what would have been her 90th birthday

    The Oscar-nominated actress passed away at her California home on 3 November at the age of 89 and now her daughter has shared a poignant tribute on the day she would have celebrated turning 90 on November 29.


    In a post on Instagram, Laura shared a black and white picture of Diane and wrote: "Happy birthday to my hero, the most extraordinary person I have ever known, on what would be her 90th today.

    "As an artist and human being, you were always loving, always dreaming, always creating, and ever in service for all. I love you, Mom."

    Laura announced Diane's death last month by her daughter by sharing an emotional statement which read: "My amazing hero and my profound gift of a mother, Diane Ladd, passed with me beside her this morning, at her home in Ojai, Ca.

    "She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created.

    "We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now."

    The Jurassic Park star's father, Bruce Dern - who was married to Diane between 1960 and 1969 - later praised his "wonderful" former spouse in a touching statement.

    He said: "Diane was a tremendous actress and I feel like, a bit of a 'hidden treasure' until she ran into David Lynch. When he cast her as Laura's mom in Wild at Heart it felt like the world then really understood her brilliance.

    "She was a great value as a decades-long board member of SAG, giving a real actress' point of view.

    "She lived a good life. She saw everything the way it was. She was a great teammate to her fellow actors. She was funny, clever, gracious.

    "But most importantly to me, she was a wonderful mother to our incredible wunderkind daughter. And for that I will be forever grateful to her."

    After Diane's passing, it was later confirmed the actress died from acute on chronic hypoxic respiratory failure, which occurs when there isn't enough oxygen in the blood, often due to a lung condition.

    According to the death certificate obtained by People magazine, the document noted Diane had also had interstatial lung disease for several years.

    In addition, oesophageal dysmotility was listed as another significant contributing condition to her death.

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     04 Mar: Eiza Gonzalez felt "unsafe" in her "own skin" as she battled body image issues
     04 Mar: Brandi Glanville feels like she "lost everything" as a result of her breast implants rupturing
     04 Mar: The Wire actor Bobby J. Brown has died at the age of 62
     04 Mar: Lisa Rinna has claimed she was drugged at The Traitors season four premiere party last month
     04 Mar: Grey's Anatomy has aired a poignant tribute to former castmember Eric Dane following his death last week
     04 Mar: One Battle After Another star Teyana Taylor was told "it was dumb" to swap music for movies
     04 Mar: Kendall Jenner is "still too busy" to have any children
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Ex-Wallabies coach Dave Rennie to lead All Blacks through to 2027 Rugby World Cup More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Air New Zealand's financial position could worsen before it gets better More...



     Today's News

    International:
    What you need to know about Iran today, with Laura Tingle 13:37

    International:
    Marine traffic data shows oil tankers 'down to zero' in Strait of Hormuz 13:37

    Entertainment:
    Eiza Gonzalez felt "unsafe" in her "own skin" as she battled body image issues 13:35

    International:
    How the US and Israel struck Iran in Operation Epic Fury 13:27

    Rugby:
    Ex-Wallabies coach Dave Rennie to lead All Blacks through to 2027 Rugby World Cup 13:27

    Business:
    Air New Zealand's financial position could worsen before it gets better 13:27

    International:
    Donald Trump says 'just about everything's been knocked out' in Iran 13:17

    Rugby:
    Former All Blacks loose forward Liam Messam's welcoming the appointment of Dave Rennie as the team's new head coach 13:07

    Soccer:
    To fourth round action in football's FA Cup 13:07

    Entertainment:
    Brandi Glanville feels like she "lost everything" as a result of her breast implants rupturing 13:05


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd