Diane Ladd’s Ex-Husband Bruce Dern Breaks Silence Following Her Passing
After the well-known actress passed away, her daughter, who works in the same field, joined the family in celebrating her influence on screen and in their lives.
The famous actress Diane Ladd died Monday morning, November 3, 2025, in Ojai, California, at the age
of 89. Her passing has left Hollywood in sadness. Actress Laura Dern, her daughter’s representative,
announced her death.
In a statement celebrating her mother’s life and work, Laura said that Diane passed away quietly at home
with her loved ones at her side. “We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now,” she stated.
A titan of cinema, Diane had three Academy Award nominations for her performances in “Wild at Heart” (1990), “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” (1974), and “Rambling Rose” (1991).
She was exceptional in every part because of the passion and emotional depth of her performances.
She often collaborated with her daughter, and their on-screen work became some of Hollywood’s most emotionally impactful – a unique and cherished relationship that dissolved the boundaries between art and life.
Bruce Dern Considers His Magnificent Career and His Abundant Appreciation
Laura’s father and Diane’s ex-husband, Bruce Dern, wrote moving reflections on her legacy.
He called her a “tremendous actress,” and he stated that the public didn’t fully realize how talented she
was until David Lynch cast her in “Wild at Heart.” Her decades of service on the Screen Actors Guild board were also commended by him. He went on to say:
“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.”
A Family That Did Not Give Up
Laura shared intimate details about both of her parents in the final weeks before her mother passed
away, providing a unique and poignant look into the lasting impact they had on her life.
She told Variety that Diane and Bruce were still deeply involved in their craft and narrative well into their 80s, and that they were energetic, inspirational, and unrelentingly motivated.
She said, “They’re doing great,” at the moment. According to her, Diane and Bruce were “radical
characters” and “amazing storytellers,” individuals who lived with purpose and never stopped producing.
“They inspire me every day to just keep going.”
However, beneath that flame, Laura revealed a tragic reality that many older actresses must deal with: a silent battle that continues long after the spotlight has faded. She disclosed:
“A lot of actors of my parents’ generation are desperately looking for two days on a TV show in their 80s, because they’ve got to work a certain amount of hours to continue to qualify for their health insurance.”
Laura immediately responded, “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.” She referred to Diane’s Oscar-nominated performance as one of her favorite performances by any actress.
She also recalled the Academy Awards night as a wide-eyed young child, clinging to Diane’s arm out of nervousness; this memory now has even more significance.
Women-Raised, Gaining an Understanding of Her Father
Laura has provided insights into her nontraditional upbringing, which was influenced by her mother’s will to start over and her parents’ early divorce.
She remembered, in an interview with “WTF with Marc Maron,” how Bruce chose a different route, while Diane chose to raise her with the assistance of her own mother. Laura stated:
“I mean, basically I think she realized that you might just be better off kind of trying to figure out how to
do it with her mom and you know getting our own pad and letting him you know have his life as he
needed it at the time you know, it’s so weird ’cause they divorced when I was two, so I don’t even know what their life looked like.”
Even though Bruce was still in her life, Laura clarified that he was a little aloof when she was younger—not because she was neglected, but rather because she was unsure.
He really didn’t know how to react to a tiny child in those early years, but their bond grew as she grew older.
The Unimaginable Death of a Mother, Kept Secret for Decades
But few people really knew the sadness that lay beneath Diane’s power as a mother.
She had experienced an unfathomable tragedy even before Laura was born: the passing of her oldest daughter.
During an appearance with “CBS Sunday Morning” in 2023, Diane revealed the tragic tale in public:
“She fell into the pool. She hit her head, knocked herself out, and it all happened instantly. And she died. And you will never get over that. I don’t care what you say to yourself.
I don’t care who says what. The child is not supposed to die before the parent.”
Laura, however, acknowledged that she had refrained from inquiring because she was worried it would cause more pain.
That was a lesson I would want to share with everyone,” she stated. “There is healing of all kinds if we talk it out.” Diane said gently, “Yes.”
Another Hollywood icon died before Diane: 79-year-old Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton passed away on Saturday, October 11.
Her most well-known parts were in the films “Annie Hall,” “Father of the Bride,” “The First Wives Club,” “Something’s Gotta Give,” and “The Godfather.”
Keaton’s acting helped her find her place.
Keaton discovered a sense of community via performing. In 2019, she told People, “I would have been a misfit if I hadn’t been an actor.”
She knew early on that she didn’t want to get married and had always considered herself to be an eccentric.
Rather, she focused on her career, working with Woody Allen on multiple occasions until taking home the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “Annie Hall.”
Following her death, her family made just one request.
The adored actress died in her Los Angeles, California, home. Around 8:08 a.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department arrived at her home. local time and took her to a nearby medical facility.
Although her family has not yet issued a comprehensive statement regarding her passing, they have made a sincere appeal to the public.
“There are no further details available at this time, and her family has asked for privacy in this moment of great sadness,” stated a spokeswoman.
Keaton never got married. Dexter, her daughter, and Duke, her son, whom she adopted in 1996 and 2001, respectively, are her only surviving children.
In addition to her impressive cinematic career, Keaton was respected for her wit, genuineness, and classic sense of style.
Generations of women were inspired to embrace their eccentricities without apology by her unique style, which included fitted suits, bowler hats, and turtlenecks.
No one was prepared to say goodbye to the Hollywood star, so tributes to Keaton continue to flood in from all over the world, including pop royalty, TV darlings, and Oscar-winning luminaries.
“Sleep Well, Diane”: A Tragic Send-Off from Friends and Admirers
The untimely and unexpected death of Keaton left the business in shock. Social media is overflowing with heartbreaking fan tributes, lifetime admirers, and her distraught co-stars, each one more poignant than the last.
Best renowned for “Knots Landing,” Donna Mills shared a heartwarming image of Keaton grinning at a baby. “The incredible Diane Keaton.
This photo is from my daughter, Chloe’s baby shower,” she tweeted. “She was such a major talent and a wonderful Mother as well. Sleep well, Diane. You will be so missed by all 🤍.”
Michael Douglas, Jane Fonda, and Others Remember the Legend in “A Heartbreaking Loss”
The 2014 movie
“And So It Goes” co-star Michael Douglas paid tribute to Keaton’s memory by displaying a still from the movie.
“RIP to my friend Diane Keaton. A heartbreaking loss of one of the greatest icons in our industry,” he wrote.
“I have so many fond memories of working with Diane on our film And So It Goes nearly twelve years ago. Sending my deepest condolences to the Keaton family during this difficult time.”
Writing with unadulterated incredulity was Jane Fonda, who had a strong on-screen relationship with Keaton in the “Book Club” movies. “It’s hard to believe… or accept… that Diane has passed,” she said.
“She was always a spark of life and light, constantly giggling at her own foibles, being limitlessly creative.”
Fonda remarked, “She was unique.” “And though she didn’t know it or wouldn’t admit it, man she was a fine actress!”
“My Idol”: Cynthia Nixon’s Love for Diane as a Child
“Sex and the City” star Cynthia Nixon described how she was a 12-year-old Keaton fan. “I tried to dress like her. I wore my hair long.
I sported men’s hats and vests… I wore bookish glasses because I thought they made me look more like her,” she admitted.
Working with Keaton on “5 Flights Up” was one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
“I was very shy around her, but I think she liked me and that meant everything to me,” Nixon continued, before adding, “She was one of a kind. I’m so sad she is gone. 💔”
“She Could Do It All”: Melissa Gilbert, Rita Wilson, and the Sisterhood in Grief in Hollywood
Rita Wilson was unable to contain her appreciation for Keaton’s boundless creative energy. “Every time I met Diane she was laughing, smiling, creating, observing, reflecting.
Her work as an artist is simply outstanding. She could do it all [sic],” stated the writer.
“It’s so hard to lose someone who inspired us, for many reasons, and yet, so grateful her beauty and artistry will live on. We will miss you Diane, [sic]” said Wilson. “May her memory be eternal.”
Melissa Gilbert of “Little House on the Prairie,” who secretly idolized Keaton, expressed a bittersweet regret.
“I didn’t want her to know that she was my idol ..so much so..that I knew I’d gush and say something embarrassing,” said Gilbert.
“I have so many questions for her…that I guess won’t be answered this lifetime,” she continued. “So I will simply say ‘good night sweet woman. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.'”
‘We Agreed to Grow Old Together’ is Goldie Hawn’s heartbreaking post.
Keaton’s co-star in “The First Wives Club,” Goldie Hawn, gave a very intimate recollection of their time together as well as a future they had envisioned.
“I was blessed to make First Wives Club with you, our days starting with coffee in the makeup trailer, laughing and joking, right through to the very last day of filming. It was a roller coaster of love,” Hawn said.
“We agreed to grow old together, and one day, maybe live together with all our girlfriends,” she said. “Well, we never got to live together,
but we did grow older together. Who knows… maybe in the next life. Shine your fairy dust up there, girlfriend. I’m going to miss the hell out of you.”
“It’s You Both Are Fools”: Steve Martin Recalls Her Wit
Her co-star from the “Father of the Bride” movies, Steve Martin, shared a photo that perfectly captured their relationship.
Martin Short questioned Keaton, “Who’s sexier, me or Steve Martin?” Her response? Martin wrote as the caption: “I mean, you’re both idiots.”
“Don’t know who first posted this, but it sums up our delightful relationship with Diane.”
One of the delights of Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s life, who also starred in the Father of the Bride series, was working with Keaton.
“Unbearably Sad”: The Best Stars in Hollywood Can’t Let Go
From Mandy Moore, who viewed her as a lifetime hero, to Bette Midler, who described her as “brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary,” the sense of loss is evident.
“It felt like she’d be here forever, dazzling us with her talent and charm,” Moore wrote in her letter. Even musicians grieved her loss: “I am so sad she’s gone for all the reasons […].
” The force behind “Just Give Me a Reason,” Pink, referred to Keaton as her muse. “She will be so missed 💔,” the singer wrote on social media. “Her humor, wit, charm, fashion, and laugh.”
She was the oldest of four children, born Diane Hall in Los Angeles in 1946. One day, her mother’s maiden name, Keaton, would show up in lights.
She was a rom-com queen, a fashion rebel, and a woman who allowed everyone to be smart, awkward, and completely unique.
Actress and Laura Dern’s mother, Diane Ladd, passed away at the age of 89 after being informed that she had only months to live.
The death of Laura Dern’s mother occurred more than a year after Dern talked candidly about how her mom’s condition prompted intense and emotional discussions with her.
At the age of 89, Diane Ladd, a groundbreaking actress renowned for her captivating presence and bold performances, tragically passed away. On Monday, November 3, 2025, actor Laura Dern, her well-known daughter, confirmed the devastating news.
“She Is Flying with Her Angels Now”: A Silver Screen Legend’s Farewell
Dern made a moving message in which she paid tribute to her mother’s impact on and off screen.
“She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist and [sic] empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created,” Dern said. “We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”
The “Jurassic Park” star focused on the love and respect that characterized their relationship rather than providing a reason for death.
A Brilliant Career Distinguished by Ingenuity, Audacity, and Sharp Humor
Throughout her illustrious career, Ladd was regarded as a performer with exceptional energy and timing, a talented artist who transitioned between the stage, screen, and television with ease.
Her rise began even before her iconic performance in Martin Scorsese’s “Alice Doesn’t Live Here
Anymore” in 1974, which garnered her the first of three Academy Award nominations, even though many people became familiar with her work later in life.
Ladd’s portrayal of the harsh yet vivacious waitress Flo became a symbol of her versatility, as she was able to convey raw vulnerability, emotional depth, and scathing humor frequently all in one sentence.
She went on to play parts in “Primary Colors,” “Chinatown,” and David Lynch’s “Wild at Heart,” the latter of which she loved most.
In addition to playing alongside her daughter, Ladd was able to exercise her creativity in the 1990 Cannes Palme d’Or-winning picture, even competing with Lynch on the character’s concept.
“One day, the script stated that Marietta gets in bed, curls up with her baby dog, and is sucking her thumb. I looked at him and said, ‘David, I don’t want to do that,'” she recalled in a 2024 interview with Vulture.
A gorgeous nightgown, a martini in hand, and a seductive sway to music that only her character could hear were the results of a compromise that only someone of Ladd’s commitment could pull off. “He loved it,” she recounted, “and he said OK, I did it.”
Ladd’s adaptability endured for many years. She starred in “Alice,” the spinoff of her breakout picture, and then appeared on “ER” and “Touched by an Angel.
” She first debuted on television in her 20s, appearing in classics like “Perry Mason,” “Gunsmoke,” and “The Big Valley.” Her performances, which were always based in reality, could be both touching and eerie.
Ladd’s Southern heritage and keen intuition gave each performance a unique honesty, whether she was portraying cunning moms, heartbroken lovers, or spiritual mentors.
A Prophecy Accomplished: Diane Ladd’s Hollywood Ascent and Childhood Destiny
Her great-grandmother informed her early on that she would one day stand “in front of a screen” and “command” crowds. She was born Rose Diane Ladner in Laurel, Mississippi. Ladd lived up to that prophecy.
She wrote about that early experience in her memoir “Spiraling Through the School of Life,” which followed her as she transitioned from an unknown ingénue to the matriarch of one of Hollywood’s most adored performing dynasties.
She had strong ties to the arts: Dern’s father, her first husband, is an Academy Award nominee, and she was a second cousin of playwright Tennessee Williams.
Ladd never hesitated to discuss their turbulent personal life, which included their union and final divorce.
In 1976, she told The New York Times that neither of her first two husbands, William A. Shea, Jr., knew how to show affection.
She entered a more stable phase with her third marriage, to writer and former PepsiCo executive Robert Charles Hunter, which lasted from 1999 until his passing in July 2025.
Ultimately, Ladd took her last breath in the peaceful comfort of her own home.
“My amazing hero and my profound gift of a mother, Dianne Ladd, passed with me beside her this morning, at her home in Ojai, Calif,” said Dern. A glamorous, tough, and graceful career came to a quiet end in the company of love.
A Terminal Prognosis That Revolutionized Life
However, Ladd’s incredible journey wasn’t without its challenges. A few years prior to her death, she was given a dire prognosis, which was one of the most intimidating.
She was found to have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung condition that worsens over time and is incurable.
Given the seriousness of her health, doctors cautioned that she could only have six months to live. Dern was devastated by the news, but it also served as the impetus for something very lovely.
“The doctor told us the one thing that can help her is getting her to walk to breathe deeper,” Dern revealed in an open interview with People in 2023.
Thus started a sequence of leisurely strolls across Santa Monica – uncomplicated, peaceful moments that would change the lives of mother and daughter.
Healing Strolls and Sincere Conversations
So they went for a walk. Slowly. adjacent to one another. Dern holding space; Ladd taking oxygen.
They gradually began to talk about their experiences as performers, the sorrows they had endured, and the losses they had never really processed.
Everything was off limits, from the dissolution of Ladd’s marriage to Dern’s father to the passing of their first child (Dern’s late sister). Their conversations “grew into a profound deepening” of their connection, according to the actress.
In addition to Ladd’s precarious health, Dern’s mother’s horrifying 2018 diagnosis served as a wake-up call to the emotional distance that may exist even in the closest of relationships.
On the television show “Today” in 2023, Dern said, “I was shocked at how little I’d asked her. The hard stuff […] But even the simple stuff. I’ve worked alongside my mother and yet never asked, ‘Why did you want to become an actress?'”
Ladd had been exposed to pesticides in her Ventura County neighborhood, which caused scarring on her lungs. Instead, though, the two leaned toward one another. Their treks were uncomfortable at first, but they soon became quite healing.
“And she said that she really felt finally releasing some of the grief and challenges and heartbreak of her life, as well as us laughing over absurd fights and silly things we’ve been through was in fact so healing, physically and emotionally,” Dern said.
The book that immortalized the journey of a mother and daughter
Among their first subjects? Death. “She said, ‘I’m not afraid of it.’ She was afraid of leaving me, she was afraid of not being here to watch her grandchildren grow,” Dern recalled.
By early 2019, Dern had begun to record their conversations, in part as an homage and in part for her kids. Despite the challenges posed by her illness, Ladd persisted, and it eventually became a book,
“Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life, Death, Love (and Banana Pudding).” She finished two films and filmed “Young Sheldon” in 2021.
“They say they’re practicing medicine, so I’m not going to believe one doctor, I’m going to go to several,
and I’m going to keep fighting with alternative modalities and my daughter and I’s love for each other,” Ladd had said before.
They found that their narrative struck a chord when they told it: “All I know is, four years later, I made two movies, a TV show, and wrote a book.”
“We saw that siblings and mother [sic] and fathers and sons and daughters, they were all having conversations they’d never had,” Dern said.
The two discussed happy memories, terrible regrets, and unvarnished facts that had been hidden for a long time.
Dern was taken aback by the clarity and healing that resulted from asking her mother to talk about difficult topics, such as the death of her first child at the age of 18 months.
“I thought I was doing all this talking and reminiscing for my mother’s sake, to give her peace and
strength in her final months or years and to let her know how she’d shaped me and how grateful I was
for her example,” Dern wrote in her letter. “But I would come to learn that this time with her was a gift for me as well.”
Ladd, who was healthier at the time and was credited with being misdiagnosed, stood next to her daughter at a book event and said, “I chose to live.” She also referred to Dern as her “angel” and said that she saved her life.
Even in her late 80s, Diane Ladd was radiant.
Even though those walks were sparked by uncertainty and dread, they developed into something timeless that is a monument to love, resiliency, and the therapeutic value of candor.
And it wasn’t long before the world took note once more as Ladd kept defying expectations—not just in appearance, but also in spirit.
Reese Witherspoon, another A-list celebrity, showcased her time with Ladd and Dern in a stunning Instagram carousel picture in May 2023. Despite her illness, fans were happy to see the seasoned actress looking so beautiful at 87.
One admirer claimed that Ladd’s “porcelain” skin had always made them envious. She looked amazing for her age, according to one person, while Ladd and Dern appeared to be sisters, according to another.
Ladd’s youthful appearance also astounded many people, who complimented her on her amazing appearance despite her approaching 90 years of age. All things considered, admirers were captivated by the trio’s pictures.
As they grieve such a profound loss, we would like to offer Laura Dern, her whole family, friends, community, loved ones, and everyone who knew and loved Ladd our deepest condolences.
In the midst of their loss, we wish them healing. Ladd, rest in peace.
Weeks before she died at the age of 89, Diane Ladd’s last Instagram post suggested a new chapter in her life.
Few people anticipated the unexpected turn that Diane Ladd’s last days would take. The iconic actress piqued admirers’ interest with an unexpected Instagram post just weeks before she passed away.
There was one final mysterious twist before Hollywood lost a legend. With her enigmatic declaration that suggested she wasn’t finished creating, Oscar-nominated legend Diane Ladd surprised and electrified her followers.
Cryptic Farewell: An Inquisitive Instagram Post
A few weeks before her 90th birthday, on November 3, 2025, Diane died quietly in her home in Ojai, California. Fans are still searching through the digital breadcrumb she dropped almost six weeks ago.
Diane, who was given a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in 2018, shared the Blu-ray cover of the film “The Last Full Measure,” which has a number of iconic performances, on September 17.
She disclosed in her caption that the movie was supposed to be released in 2020, but the day before its premiere, COVID-19 struck.
Three late greats, Christopher Plummer, Peter Fonda, and William Hurt, are featured in the war drama along with cinematic heavyweights Samuel L. Jackson and others.
Diane expressed her admiration without holding back, referring to it as a “honor” to perform with the trio.
Diane promised her fans that the film was “something really terrific,” and she provided links to Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime for streaming.
The twist, however, came when she nonchalantly dropped a bombshell. “And, hey kids, what do you think of me getting into PodCasting?
Thought I’d give you a taste. More to come. Stay tuned!) Love and light – Diane 💓🎙️💫,” added the writer.
Following a heartfelt social send-off, fans left wanting more.
Supporters rushed to her aid. A third admirer pondered her legacy, saying, “I’d love to hear your podcast, Mrs. Ladd. You’re also one of the greats.
I’ll never forget you in Wild at Heart. ICONIC. love.” Another exclaimed, “Miss Diane, I can’t wait to hear what your podcast will contain.” A third added, “❤️ You would have the best podcast! ❤️.”
Diane was last seen on Instagram on November 6, 2024, one year ago. Her gray hair fell over a clean
white blouse and sunshine-yellow top, and she wore her trademark pearls and a kind grin in that calm
picture. She appeared timeless as she stirred a teaspoon in her cup.
In the wake of the US elections, the caption, which was accompanied with Art Music’s “Golden Season,”
discussed humanity, unity, and the value of cooperation. Fans went back to that post to pay their
respects after her passing.
“❤️ rest in peace beautiful, unique Diane [sic],” a person wrote. One particularly touching tribute said in response to the post’s title, “A beautiful message, to which we should all take heed.
Rest in peace, lovely lady, and thank you for so many memories.” Another referred to her as “Full of light,” adding, “she leaves us with that light forever!!”
‘Empathetic Spirit’ and ‘Profound Gift’ are what her daughter Laura Dern describes her as.
The spokesman for her daughter said that Diane passed away in the morning with Laura Dern by her side.
“My profound gift of a mother and my amazing hero, Diane Ladd, passed with me beside her this morning, at her home in Ojai, Ca,” Laura wrote in her heartfelt tribute.
“She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist [sic], and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created. We were blessed to have her.
She is flying with her angels now,” the distraught daughter said without holding back her admiration.
Bruce Dern, her ex-husband, considers her genius and their relationship.
Laura’s father and Diane’s ex-husband, Bruce Dern, also expressed his adoration.
“Diane was a tremendous actress and I feel like, [sic] a bit of a ‘hidden treasure’ until she ran into David Lynch,” he said.
“When he cast her as Laura’s mom in ‘Wild at Heart’ [sic] it felt like the world then really understood her brilliance.”
Her services to the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) throughout the years have been complimented by Bruce, who said she gave a genuine actor’s perspective. He stressed that she lived a full life and had a clear-eyed perspective on the world.
“She was a great teammate to her fellow actors. She was funny, clever, [sic] gracious,” he stated. “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.”
Even though Hollywood has lost a bright light, Diane’s parting remarks and elegant farewell are still remembered. Her parting message? Continue to listen and observe—there’s always “more to come.”
As previously reported, after the famous actress passed away, her daughter, who works in the same field, joined the family in celebrating her influence on screen and in their life.
A titan of cinema, Diane had three Academy Award nominations for her performances in “Wild at Heart” (1990), “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” (1974), and “Rambling Rose” (1991).
She was exceptional in every part because of the passion and emotional depth of her performances.
She often collaborated with her daughter, and their on-screen work became some of Hollywood’s most emotionally impactful – a unique and cherished relationship that dissolved the boundaries between art and life.
A Family That Did Not Give Up
Laura shared intimate details about both of her parents in the final weeks before her mother passed away, providing a unique and poignant look into the lasting impact they had on her life.
She told Variety that Diane and Bruce were still deeply involved in their craft and narrative well into their 80s, and that they were energetic, inspirational, and unrelentingly motivated.
She said, “They’re doing great,” at the moment. According to her, Diane and Bruce were “radical characters” and “amazing storytellers,” individuals who lived with purpose and never stopped producing.
“They inspire me every day to just keep going.”
However, beneath that flame, Laura revealed a tragic reality that many older actresses must deal with: a silent battle that continues long after the spotlight has faded. She disclosed:
“A lot of actors of my parents’ generation are desperately looking for two days on a TV show in their 80s, because they’ve got to work a certain amount of hours to continue to qualify for their health insurance.”
Laura immediately said, “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.” She referred to Diane’s Oscar-nominated performance as one of her favorite performances by any actress when asked to choose her mother’s best performance.
She also recalled the Academy Awards night as a wide-eyed young child, clinging to Diane’s arm out of nervousness; this memory now has even more significance.
Women-Raised, Gaining an Understanding of Her Father
Laura has provided insights into her nontraditional upbringing, which was influenced by her mother’s will to start over and her parents’ early divorce.
She remembered, in an interview with “WTF with Marc Maron,” how Bruce chose a different route, while Diane chose to raise her with the assistance of her own mother. Laura stated:
“I mean, basically I think she realized that you might just be better off kind of trying to figure out how to
do it with her mom and you know getting our own pad and letting him you know have his life as he
needed it at the time you know, it’s so weird ’cause they divorced when I was two, so I don’t even know what their life looked like.”
Even though Bruce was still in her life, Laura clarified that he was a little aloof when she was younger—not because she was neglected, but rather because she was unsure.
He really didn’t know how to react to a tiny child in those early years, but their bond grew as she grew older.
The Unimaginable Death of a Mother, Kept Secret for Decades
But few people really knew the sadness that lay beneath Diane’s power as a mother.
She had experienced an unfathomable tragedy even before Laura was born: the passing of her oldest daughter.
During an appearance with “CBS Sunday Morning” in 2023, Diane revealed the tragic tale in public:
“She fell into the pool. She hit her head, knocked herself out, and it all happened instantly.
And she died. And you will never get over that. I don’t care what you say to yourself.
I don’t care who says what. The child is not supposed to die before the parent.”
Laura, however, acknowledged that she had refrained from inquiring because she was worried it would cause more pain.
“That was a lesson I would want to share with everyone,” she stated. “There is healing of all kinds if we talk it out.” Diane said gently, “Yes.”
