Diane Ladd Dies Just Three Months After Husband Robert Hunter

The passing of acclaimed actress Diane Ladd occurred just three months following the death of her spouse, Robert Charles Hunter.

In August, Hunter's relatives informed The Hollywood Reporter that the former CEO of PepsiCo Food Systems had passed away in Fort Worth, Texas, during a visit with his children. He was 77 years old and is survived by Ladd, his stepdaughter Laura Dern, and his children, Brandon, Amy, and Emily.

In their tribute to Hunter's life, his family highlighted his authorship of the 2008 novel Curious Journey: Origins and 2011's Curious Journey: Energy, works that "demonstrated his sharp intellect and inquisitive nature regarding the world."

“Robert always held a deep affection for Texas,” the statement read. “The expansive horizons, the audacious spirit, and the welcoming atmosphere of Fort Worth were integral to his being. Returning home brought him peace and happiness — a sensation he frequently described as ‘like reconnecting with the pulse of my heart.’”

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Hunter and Ladd exchanged vows in 1999. That same year, the couple established Ojai-based Exxcell Entertainment, and they later collaborated on the 2006 film Inland Empire, which also featured Dern.

Three months subsequent to Hunter's passing, Ladd's daughter, actress Dern, announced her mother's death. She was 89 years old.

“My incredible inspiration and the profound blessing of a mother, Diane Ladd, passed away this morning with me by her side, at her home in Ojai, California,” Dern, 58, stated in a message to The Hollywood Reporter on Monday, November 3.

The heartfelt message continued, “She embodied the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, performer, artist, and compassionate soul that only dreams could have fashioned. We were truly fortunate to have her. She is now soaring with her guardian angels.”

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A specific cause for her death was not immediately disclosed.

Ladd had Laura with Bruce Dern, to whom she was married from 1960 to 1969. The former spouses also had another daughter, Diane, who tragically died at 18 months old in a drowning accident in 1962. The Oscar-nominated performer later married William A. Shea Jr. in 1969, before their separation in 1976.

Ladd's death occurred several years after Laura revealed in 2019 that her mother had been given a prognosis of six months to live following a pulmonary health crisis.

“She was exposed to pesticides being sprayed in the neighborhood without notification and discovered she had lung scarring,” Laura elaborated during an April 2023 appearance on Today. “And medical professionals suggested, ‘If you can get her walking, expand her lung capacity, it might provide some benefit.’”

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The mother and daughter began taking walks together to assist Ladd’s recovery. Laura subsequently recorded their conversations during these strolls, intending for her children to listen to their discussions. (Laura is mother to Ellery, 24, and Jaya, 20, with her former husband Ben Harper. The couple was married from 2005 until their divorce in 2013.)

“I was surprised by how few questions I had posed to her,” Laura confessed. “The challenging subjects, because I assumed, ‘Oh, I don’t want to bring it up and cause her pain.’ But even the simpler things. I’ve been raised by an actor, I’ve collaborated with my mother, yet I had never inquired, ‘Why did you aspire to become an actress? … What was the inaugural film that captivated you? What is your favorite color?’”

Following Ladd's recovery, the duo ultimately collaborated to author their book, Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life, Death, Love (and Banana Pudding).

“It was at the beginning of 2019 when we began these walks, and they told us, ‘Your mother won’t be with us in six months,’” Laura continued. “But through walking and maintaining disbelief, as my mom conveyed to [Hoda Kotb], ‘They claim to be practicing medicine, so I won’t rely on a single doctor; I’ll consult several and persist in my fight with alternative therapies and the mutual love my daughter and I share.’”