Reese Witherspoon Mourns a Dear, Yet Devastating Loss: ‘My Other Mother’

Reese Witherspoon is paying a heartfelt tribute to the late Diane Ladd following the beloved actress’s death at 89. The Oscar winner, 49, took to Instagram on Wednesday, November 5, to honor Ladd’s memory with an emotional message and a carousel of photos capturing her warmth and grace.

The post came just two days after Ladd’s passing, which was announced by her daughter, Laura Dern.

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“Oh Diane! What a beautiful spirit, filled with light, childlike creativity, and boundless ideas,” Witherspoon wrote. “A born & bred storyteller from Mississippi, your golden voice made every small moment feel like a remembered dream.”

She continued, “You were my inspiration and my Other Mother. May all your angels welcome you home into a place of love & light. Til we meet again.”

A Bond Beyond Friendship

The heartfelt tribute captured the deep connection Witherspoon shared with Ladd, her longtime friend and collaborator on the HBO series “Big Little Lies” and the 2014 film “Wild.” Their relationship extended beyond the screen, grounded in years of admiration, laughter, and mutual respect — a friendship Witherspoon clearly treasured.

Ladd, the mother of Witherspoon’s close friend and co-star Laura Dern, brought warmth and wisdom to both projects, enriching their shared work with emotional depth.

Offscreen, their bond was just as strong. In January 2023, Ladd shared a joyful photo with Witherspoon and Dern, writing, “New Year’s Brunch with Reese at Laura’s, celebrating the successful buzz consideration of their movies.”

Laura Dern Honors Her Late Mother

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Dern announced her mother’s death on November 3 in a heartfelt statement, revealing that she was by her side at her home in Ojai, California.

“My amazing hero and my profound gift of a mother, Diane Ladd, passed with me beside her this morning,” Dern wrote, as per the statement published in The Hollywood Reporter. “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.”

A Career That Spanned Generations

A three-time Academy Award nominee, Ladd enjoyed a distinguished career that spanned decades. She captivated audiences with powerful performances in “Wild at Heart,” “Rambling Rose,” and “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” earning her place among Hollywood’s most respected talents.

Originally from Mississippi, Ladd shortened her last name from Ladner as she chased her dream of acting. Over the years, her incredible work in both film and television has inspired countless performers, including Witherspoon and her daughter, Laura Dern.

As Witherspoon reflected in her tribute, “Your golden voice made every small moment feel like a remembered dream.”

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