Diane Ladd’s Tragic Final Chapter: Hollywood Legend Dies Months After Husband Robert Hunter

Hollywood is mourning the loss of Diane Ladd, who died at 89 just three months after her husband, former PepsiCo executive Robert Charles Hunter.

Robert Charles Hunter’s Life and Love Story With Diane Ladd

Robert Charles Hunter, former CEO of PepsiCo Food Systems, died on July 31 at 77 while visiting family in Fort Worth, Texas, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He spent 23 years at PepsiCo, leading brands like Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and KFC for more than a decade as CEO.

Born in Germany on April 2, 1948, Hunter went on to write two novels — “Curious Journey: Origins” and “Curious Journey: Energy.” His family described him as deeply curious and passionate about the world, saying, “Robert always loved Texas. The wide skies, the bold spirit and the warmth of Fort Worth were part of his soul. Returning home brought him peace and joy — a feeling he often described as ‘like coming back to the rhythm of my heart.’”

Hunter and Ladd met in Sedona, Arizona, where he was on a personal retreat after retiring at age 50. They married in 1999 and later co-founded Excel Entertainment. Hunter even made a brief appearance as a detective in David Lynch’s 2006 film “Inland Empire,” which starred both Ladd and Dern.

Ladd quietly acknowledged his death by sharing The Hollywood Reporter’s article about it on Instagram. Hunter was survived by Ladd, his stepdaughter Laura, his three children — Brandon, Amy, and Emily — and ten grandchildren.

Laura Dern Pays Tribute to Her Mother Diane Ladd

On November 3, Laura Dern announced her mother’s passing in a statement to ABC News, writing, “She passed away with me beside her this morning, at her home in Ojai, Calif. 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.”

Ladd’s career spanned more than six decades. She earned three Oscar nominations and three Emmy nods. Along with memorable performances in “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” “Wild at Heart,” “Rambling Rose,” and “Inland Empire.” She was also beloved for her role in the TV sitcom “Alice,” inspired by her 1974 film.

Ladd and Dern shared a unique bond both as mother and daughter and as acting partners. They appeared together in several films and the HBO series “Enlightened.” When Dern won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2020 for “Marriage Story,” she tearfully said, “Some say ‘never meet your heroes,’ but I say if you’re really blessed, you get them as your parents. I share this with my acting heroes, my legends, Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern.”

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