Diane Ladd Passes Away Just Three Months After Her Husband of 26 Years, Former PepsiCo Exec Robert Charles Hunter
Diane Ladd and Robert Charles Hunter tied the knot back in 1999. Sadly, Hunter passed away during a family visit to Texas on July 31.
The beloved actress Diane Ladd left us at 89 on Monday, November 3—barely over three months after losing her husband, Robert Charles Hunter, who was 77. The couple, married since 1999, shared a life that blended Hollywood glamour with quiet family moments.
Ladd’s daughter, Laura Dern—whom she had with ex-husband Bruce Dern—shared the news of her mother’s passing on November 3.
It’s hard to imagine the weight of grief Diane Ladd carried in her final months. Just over three months after saying goodbye to her husband of 26 years, Robert Charles Hunter, the actress herself slipped away peacefully at home. Her daughter, Laura Dern, was right there with her in Ojai, California, holding her hand until the end.
“She passed away with me beside her this morning, at her home in Ojai,” Laura wrote in a heartfelt statement. “She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist, and the most empathetic soul you could ever dream up. We were so lucky to have her. Now she’s soaring with her angels.”
Robert, who had been the CEO of PepsiCo Food Systems, died unexpectedly in Fort Worth, Texas, while visiting his kids. The Hollywood Reporter broke the news in August, and though Diane never put out an official statement, she quietly shared their article on Instagram a few days later—a small, wordless tribute to the man she loved.
The two had built more than a marriage; in 1999, the same year they wed, they launched their production company, Excel Entertainment. Robert even dipped his toe into acting once, playing a detective in David Lynch’s Inland Empire (2006)—a film that starred both Diane and Laura.
This was Diane’s third marriage—and by far her longest. She’d been married to Bruce Dern (Laura’s dad) from 1960 to 1969, then to William A. Shea, Jr., from 1969 to 1976. But with Robert, she found a steady, lasting kind of love.
Laura and her mom weren’t just family—they were creative partners. They lit up the screen together in Wild at Heart (1990), Rambling Rose (1991), Citizen Ruth (1996), and Inland Empire, plus the HBO series Enlightened (2011–2013). Their bond was the kind that makes you believe in legacy.
Diane’s career was a tapestry of unforgettable roles. Three Oscar nods, three Emmy nominations, and a trail of iconic performances—from Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (which inspired the sitcom Alice) to her haunting work with David Lynch. She started in the ’70s and never stopped creating.
At the 2020 Oscars, when Laura won Best Supporting Actress for Marriage Story, she brought her mom and dad up in her speech. “Some say never meet your heroes,” she said, tears in her eyes. “But I say if you’re really blessed, you get them as your parents. I share this with my legends, Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern.” Diane’s grandkids, Ellery and Jaya, were there too—three generations glowing under the lights.
Laura once laughed about how her mom tried to steer her away from acting. “Her exact words were, ‘Be a lawyer, a doctor, a leper missionary—anything but an actress!’” But of course, the apple didn’t fall far.
In 2023, after Diane was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, she and Laura started taking long walks together—just talking about life, love, death, and yes, even banana pudding. Those conversations became their beautiful book, Honey, Baby, Mine.
Diane leaves behind one final film, Blue Champagne, still in post-production. It stars Jack Nicholson’s daughter, Jennifer Nicholson, and was directed by Blaine Novak. No release date yet—but when it comes, it’ll feel like one last gift.