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Diane Ladd

Diane Ladd

Actor, also producer · Died November 3, 2025, aged 89 · Meridian, Mississippi, USA

Diane Ladd (born Rose Diane Ladner; November 29, 1935 – November 3, 2025) was an American actress. She appeared in over 200 films and television shows, receiving three Academy Award nominations for her roles in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974), Wild at Heart (1990), and Rambling Rose (1991), the first of which won her a BAFTA Award. She was also nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards, winning one for her role in the sitcom Alice (1980–1981). Ladd's other film appearances include Chinatown (1974), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989), Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), Primary Colors (1998), 28 Days (2000), and Joy (2015). She was the mother of actress Laura Dern, with her ex-husband, actor Bruce Dern. Description above from the Wikipedia article Diane Ladd, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 29, 1935
Died
November 3, 2025 (aged 89)
From
Meridian, Mississippi, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
74 on MovieCove · 130 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 65 days to Oct 28Down 12% in 30 days

What are Diane Ladd's films like?

Across their 53 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama19 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 43rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Horror4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 9th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Biography3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 66th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Fantasy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile
: browse their Fantasy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
26%
Self
23%
Morality
19%
Survival
13%
Society
7%
Ideas
7%
Power
6%
Family bonds19 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love8 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth8 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief8 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity9 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose6 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 50 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 15 · Serious 24 · Dark 11

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 35 · Stylized 13 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 14 · Charged 25 · Intense 11

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 21 · Shifting 26 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 28 · Some laughs 17 · Funny 5

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 32 · Even-paced 16 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 30 · Engaged 19 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 20 · Affecting 19 · Heavy 11

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 33 · Open-ended 15 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

23 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 8 of 23 analyzed roles.

Mentor
8 of 23
Shadow
5 of 23
Ally
4 of 23
Trickster
3 of 23
Threshold guardian
2 of 23
Herald
1 of 23
Show the 23 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
31
Melancholic
23
Warm
14
Hopeful
12
Dread
10
Other
49

How their films linger

Hopeful24 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet20 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy21
  • Bittersweet20
  • Tragic7
  • Ambiguous5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Diane Ladd's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 49 of their 74 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (25).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Diane Ladd's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

130 credits, 74 with a MovieCove page; 10 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Common Ground(2023)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Isle of Hope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Carmen

  • Gigi & Nate(2022)

    as Mama Blanche

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Charlie's Christmas Wish(2020)

    as Nana

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • The Last Full Measure(2019)

    as Alice Pitsenbarger

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Miracle in the Valley(2019)

    as Grandma Mary

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Christmas Lost and Found(2018)

    as Grandma Frances

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Young Sheldon(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Hortense

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Chesapeake Shores(2016)

    Show 55 episodes · as Nell O'Brien

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • I Dream Too Much (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Vera

  • AmeriGeddon(2016)

    as Betty

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Sophie and the Rising Sun(2016)

    as Ruth Jeffers

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Joy(2015)

    as Mimi

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Just Before I Go(2014)

    as Mamma (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Ray Donovan(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Motel Lady

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Grave Secrets(2013)

    as Barnsey

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Enlightened(2011)

    Show 18 episodes · as Helen Jellicoe

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • American Cowslip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Roe

  • The Monday Before Thanksgiving (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Norma Lowrey

  • Jake's Corner(2008)

    as Fran

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Mayerthorpe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Roszko's mother

  • Montana Sky(2007)

    as Bess

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Inland Empire(2006)

    as Marilyn Levens

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • When I Find the Ocean(2006)

    as Edna

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Come Early Morning(2006)

    as Nana

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • The World's Fastest Indian(2005)

    as Ada

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Love, Death, Elvis & Oz: The Making of Wild at Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Kingdom Hospital (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Sally Druse

  • Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 13 episodes · as Sally Druse

  • Gracie's Choice(2004)

    as Louela Lawson

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Cold Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Zelda Amatuzzi (2005)

  • Charlie's War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Jobie

  • A Long Way Home(2003)

    as Mother

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Living with the Dead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Regina Van Praagh

  • Living with the Dead(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · as Regina Van Praagh

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Redemption of the Ghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Daddy and Them(2001)

    as Jewel

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Rain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Audrey

  • Christy: Choices of the Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The Law of Enclosures (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Bea

  • Strong Medicine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as Annabelle Lee Stowe

  • Sharing the Secret(2000)

    as Nina's Mother

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • 28 Days(2000)

    as Bobbie Jean

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • More Than Puppy Love(2000)

    as Aunt Edna

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Can't Be Heaven(1999)

    as Nona Gina

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Staircase (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Sister Margaret

  • Primary Colors(1998)

    as Mamma Stanton

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • James Dean: Race with Destiny(1997)

    as Mama Pierangeli

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Westing Game(1997)

    as Berthe Erica Crow

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Breach of Faith: A Family of Cops II(1997)

    as Aunt Shelly

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Ghosts of Mississippi(1996)

    as Grandma Caroline Moore

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Citizen Ruth(1996)

    as Ruth's Mother (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Cold Lazarus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 3 episodes · as Martina Masdon

  • The Siege at Ruby Ridge(1996)

    as Irma Coulter

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Siege at Ruby Ridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · as Irma Coulter

  • Raging Angels(1995)

    as Sister Kate

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Mother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Co-Producer · as Olivia Hendrix

  • Mrs. Munck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director · Screenplay · as Mrs. Munck

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Carolyn Sellers

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • ER(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Pooler

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Hush Little Baby(1994)

    as Edie

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Father Hood(1993)

    as Rita

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Carnosaur(1993)

    as Dr. Jane Tiptree

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Cemetery Club(1993)

    as Lucille Rubin

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman(1993)

    Show 4 episodes · as Charlotte Cooper

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Spies, Inc. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Alice

  • Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me(1992)

    as Lucille

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Forever(1992)

    as Mabel Normand

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Rambling Rose(1991)

    as Mrs. Hillyer

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Shadow of a Doubt(1991)

    as Emma Spencer Newton

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • A Kiss Before Dying(1991)

    as Mrs. Corliss

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Lookalike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Mary Helen Needam

  • Wild at Heart(1990)

    as Marietta Fortune

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Rock Hudson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Kay

  • National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation(1989)

    as Nora

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Father Dowling Mysteries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Plain Clothes(1988)

    as Jane Melway

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Bluegrass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 2 episodes · as Verna Howland

  • Celebration Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Mrs. Heflin

  • Black Widow(1987)

    as Etta

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Celeste Bauman

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Crime of Innocence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Rose Hayward

  • I Married a Centerfold(1984)

    as Jeanette Bryan

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Little Red Riding Hood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Mother

  • Something Wicked This Way Comes(1983)

    as Mrs. Nightshade

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Grace Kelly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Margaret Kelly

  • Faerie Tale Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Mother

  • Desperate Lives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Carol Cameron

  • All Night Long(1981)

    as Helen Dupler

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · as Lynette Jones

  • Willa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Mae

  • Thaddeus Rose and Eddie(1978)

    as Carlotta

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Black Beauty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 5 episodes · as Amelia Gordon

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Bernice Bronson · as Ruby Gibson

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • The November Plan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Laura Taylor

  • Battle of the Network Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Alice(1976)

    Show 44 episodes · as Belle Dupree

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Embryo(1976)

    as Martha Douglas

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • City of Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Addie and the King of Hearts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Irene Davis

  • Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore(1974)

    as Flo

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Movin' On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Chinatown(1974)

    as Ida Sessions

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • White Lightning(1973)

    as Maggie

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • The Devil's Daughter(1973)

    as Alice Shaw

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Steagle(1971)

    as Mrs. Roberta Forbes

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Macho Callahan(1970)

    as Girl

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Rebel Rousers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Karen

  • The Reivers(1969)

    as Phoebe

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Then Came Bronson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Valerie Faber

  • Ironside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Peggy Barnard

  • Shane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Amy Sloate

  • The Wild Angels(1966)

    as Gaysh

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Big Valley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Muriel Akely

  • Daniel Boone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Ronda Cameron

  • Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Cissy

  • The Great Adventure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Annie Thompson

  • Mr. Novak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Otis

  • The Fugitive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Stella

  • 40 Pounds of Trouble(1962)

    as Honeymoon Bride (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Murder, Inc.(1960)

    as Showgirl

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • The Detectives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • 77 Sunset Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Naked City(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Kathie Mills · as Yankee Cretias

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Decoy(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Selma Richmond

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • The Walter Winchell File (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Lois

  • Perry Mason(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Miss Frances

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Bonnie Mae Haley · as Elena · as Lulu

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Emma Newton

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 129 titles from 1951 to 2023; peak year 2005.

Biggest box office

Joy (2015)

$101M worldwide

Highest rated

Chinatown (1974)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Chesapeake Shores (2016)

Film career

19512023

Peak 2005 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 12 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting128 of 129: 126 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score53rdDirecting1 of 129: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting1 of 129: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing2 of 129: 1 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1950s8 · acting1960s13 · acting1970s18 · acting1980s16 · acting1990s31 · 31 acting · 2 crew2000s27 · acting2010s11 · acting2020s5 · 4 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 3% of 34 roles
6075909505

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Diane Ladd's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 50th percentile, the median of all 60; across their 50 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 42nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 50

Approval · how many liked their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 50

Reach · how many have seen their films

58thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 50

Midcredits score across 74 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th27
  • 25th to 49th19
  • Below 25th13

Shape of the crowd

29 of their 74 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic9
  • Crowd Pleaser29
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed25

Most divisive · actor

Grave Secrets (2013)

93rd percentile spread · 39% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Chinatown (1974)

Midcredits 99th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 45 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Diane Ladd's work okay for kids?

Across up to 18 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore9 titles8–93 · median 51 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity18 titles15–58 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles31–81 · median 47 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles26–54 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense7 titles12–75 · median 52 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Diane Ladd work with?

People who share at least 2 of Diane Ladd's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Laura Dern shares the most, 6.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles