We have sad news to report out of Hollywood today:
Diane Ladd, the Oscar-nominated actress and mother of Laura Dern, has passed away at the age of 89.
News of Ladd’s passing comes courtesy of a statement from her daughter:
Diane Ladd and Laura Dern attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 09, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
“My amazing hero and my profound gift of a mother passed with me beside her this morning at her home in Ojai, California,” Laura Dern said in a statement to 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.”
Born Rose Diane Ladner in Laurel, Mississippi on November 29, 1935, Ladd was the only child of veterinarian Preston Paul Ladner and actress/housewife Mary Bernadette Ladner.
A second cousin of legendary playwright Tennessee Williams, Ladd married fellow actor Bruce Dern in 1960.
Diane Ladd attends ELLE’s 24th Annual Women in Hollywood Celebration at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on October 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
She landed a steady stream of television work throughout the sixties, but it wasn’t until 1973 that she scored her breakout role.
That was the year when a young Martin Scorsese cast Ladd as Flo, the brassy southern waitress in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
“Kiss me where the sun don’t shine,” and “I could lay under you, eat fried chicken and do a crossword puzzle at the same time, that’s how much you bother me” were just two of the many quotable lines of dialogue Ladd delivered in the surprise hit.
The film received rave reviews and earned Ladd her first Oscar nomination.
“The movie’s filled with brilliantly done individual scenes,” Roger Ebert wrote in his review (per The Hollywood Reporter).
Actors Diane Ladd, Bruce Dern Laura Dern attend the Walk of Fame star ceremony for Bruce Dern, Laura Dern And Diane Ladd on November 1, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)
“Alice, for example, has a run-in with a fellow waitress with an inspired vocabulary [Ladd]. They fall into a friendship and have a frank and honest conversation one day while sunbathing. The scene works perfectly.”
Alice went on to spawn a long-running TV sitcom, but Ladd was on to bigger and better things.
She went on to score two more Oscar nominations, for her work in Wild at Heart and Rambling Rose.
Diane’s only other child died at the age of 18 months, and in her later years, she was almost as famous for her close relationship with Laura as she was for her acting.
Our thoughts go out to Diane Ladd’s loved ones as they mourn the loss of a screen legend who was said to be a world-class mother and grandmother.
Vanderpump Rules is set to return with a brand new season…
… featuring a brand new cast.
As reported about a year ago, the long-running Bravo franchise has gotten a face and a name-lift, as a complete cast overhaul has been confirmed and, as of November 3, announced.
The network released a trailer and a handful of promotional photos on Monday and revealed just who will be starring on Season 12.
(Bravo)
Joining the Bravo-verse for Season 12 of Vanderpump Rules are:
Venus Binkley, Jason Cohen, Shayne Davis, Chris Hahn, Angelica Jensen, Marcus Johnson, Audrey Lingle, Natalie Maguire, Demy Selem, and Kim Suarez.
This next generation of SUR-vers (get it?!?!) will begin to ratchet up their own drama starting Tuesday, December 2, at 9 p.m. ET.
“I’ve always said with my staff,” Lisa Vanderpump says in the aforementioned preview. “‘Give me anything, but don’t give me boring.’”
The new staffers seem to agree.
As Venus Binkley notes, for example: “We’re able to work, party, have sex.”
(Bravo)
As for what viewers need to know about these new cast members? They each spoke to Bravo and offered fans a Season 12 preview based on the following biographies…
Venus Binkleysees himself as the glue that holds the SUR staff together and the confidant everyone turns to for advice … and the latest gossip. Venus feels out of place in the West Hollywood dating scene, but his friends encourage him to step out of his comfort zone. When he finds himself roped into the drama between Marcus, Kim and Natalie, diplomacy goes out the window and he’s forced to pick sides.
Shayne Daviswinds up in the center of the drama at SUR, even though he’s the only one of their friends who doesn’t work there. He’s laser-focused on his sobriety, but that doesn’t stop him from a night out on the town. Between acting, improv and screenwriting, Shayne’s social calendar is close to capacity, but he always makes time for dating. With one foot in and one foot out of the pool of ladies at SUR, Shayne might just make a splash he’s not ready to clean up.
Natalie Maguirehas been SUR’s lead bartender for two years and is ready to level up to bar manager, but Lisa may not be on the same page after her recent outburst. Closest in the group to Venus, the two started at SUR on the same day and have been inseparable ever since. Outside of SUR, Natalie is pursuing her pop music career with full force but still makes time for men, making her love life a major source of friction within the group.
Marcus Johnsonhas been working at SUR for years, but after the loss of his parents, he has been struggling to focus at work and prioritize his relationship with his girlfriend, Kim. Closest to Venus and Shayne, he leans on his friends to help him move forward. Marcus is all about new beginnings and is shifting his energy to his DJ career and social life, but will need to learn if his fresh perspective and newfound career ambitions will strengthen his relationship or strain it.
(Mark Hunter/Bravo )
Kim Suarezworks at SUR while juggling her aspirations in the entertainment industry and a tumultuous relationship with her boyfriend, Marcus. When others in the group meddle, Kim wonders if her on-again, off-again romance will affect her performance at SUR.
Aspiring actorJason Cohenis a happy-go-lucky server who has charmed everyone at SUR. His infectious personality and good looks have won over a few of the ladies and disarmed many of the men. He works at SUR alongside his cousin Chris and the pair have been attached at the hip since childhood. In between acting classes and shifts at SUR, Jason tries to date a new co-worker, but his attempts backfire.
Demy Selemhas been the manager at SUR for seven years and as the longest standing employee among the group, she knows all the inner workings of the SUR employees. Demy is all business when it comes to her role at the restaurant, but being the boss has an impact on her friendships, especially with Natalie. Can she sip the tea with the crew and also call the shots?
Jason’s cousinChris Hahnis a bartender at SUR and has been living in Los Angeles for three years. He moved to the city with a dream of becoming an actor, but pivoted to pursue music and views SUR as a steppingstone to larger opportunities. Single and mingling, Chris is looking for a partner and a long-term commitment. When Chris and Audrey start dating, discussions of a future trip cause complications.
Audrey Lingleis all bubbly charm and girl-next-door charisma, making her loved by (almost) everyone on the staff. She’s recently single, chasing new flings and her dream of being on the big screen, but when someone at SUR catches her eye, a certain bad boy might just get the best of her.
Angelica Jensenis the newest addition to SUR’s staff, but immediately makes waves within the group. She set her sights on modeling, acting and … friends Jason and Shayne, but a game of broken telephone threatens their possible connections.
“This is SUR, we’re a family,” Lisa adds in the trailer. “They’re not perfect, but they’re mine.”
Vanderpump Rules returns Tuesday, December 2, at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.
It will be preceded by Don’t miss a Raise Your Glass to 11 Seasons look-back special with Andy Cohen and Lisa Vanderpump on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 9 p.m.ET.
Kirk is still mourning the death of her husband, Charlie Kirk, the controversial podcast host who was shot and killed during a speaking engagement in Utah in September.
But while Erika has mentioned her late husband’s life and work at all of her recent appearances, many have been put off by the notion of a newly widowed single parent booking speaking engagements and podcast appearances in the weeks after her partner’s murder.
Erika Kirk speaks during the memorial service for her husband, political activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Kyle Kulinski criticized for Erika Kirk meme
One such critic is left-leaning journalist Kyle Kulinski, who shared a meme last week that ruffled quite a few feathers.
The format was one that will likely be familiar to any social media user:
A Spirit Halloween costume inspired by Erika’s public persona, promises an accurate “Fake Grieving Widow Grifter” costume.
The costume includes “fake teardrops” and “skin-tight black leather mourning pants,” the latter a reference to the outfit Erika wore when she introduced Vance at Ole Miss last week.
(X/Twitter)
Kulinski’s post was promptly called out by many on the Right who felt that he was making light of Kirk’s death.
“Awful. Shame on you,” wrote one such user, according to the Daily Mail.
“Wow, you’re a horrible human being,” another added.
“No one is requiring you to mourn Charlie Kirk. They’re asking you not to be a satanic piece of sh-t who celebrates brutal murder,” wrote rightwing commentator Blaire White.
“The bar couldn’t be lower, and it’s still too high for millions of you. Sick.”
Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance embrace on stage during a Turning Point USA event at the Pavilion at Ole Miss at the University of Mississippi, on October 29, 2025 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images)
Of course, White and others made similar jokes in the wake of other recent acts of political violence, including the attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi.
But because we live in the age of hypocrisy — a time when both sides call each other out for behavior they routinely engage in themselves — no introspection takes place, and the cycle continues.
Kulinski’s joke was certainly insensitive. However, it seems that it was not his intention to mock Charlie’s death, but rather to point out the strangeness of seeing Erika take the stage amid pyrotechnics so soon after her husband’s murder.
Perhaps that’s too much nuance for such a sensitive subject.
But the problem with our current political landscape is that there’s no room for nuance on any subject, and the least generous assessment of a person’s comments is also the most common one.
With inflation and other economic troubles hitting hard, food insecurity is on the rise. Here are some free options to still have a turkey for Thanksgiving.
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Olive Garden’s popular Stuffed Ziti Fritta appetizer features crispy-fried pasta stuffed with a five-cheese blend, and this copycat recipe follows suit.
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When the holidays roll around, let Aldi be the gift that keeps on giving you reasons to shop. Here are some food-tastic items that should be on your radar.
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