Laura Dern has her parents — Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd — to thank for her acting chops. The Hollywood legends first crossed paths as aspiring actors who appeared in an off-Broadway production of Orpheus Descending. It wasn’t long before their relationship turned romantic, and they tied the knot in 1960.

Diane Ladd, the three-time Academy Award nominee whose roles ranged from the brash waitress in “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” to the protective mother in “Wild at Heart,” has died at 89.

Ladd drew supporting actress Oscar nominations for Martin Scorsese’s 1974 film “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” in which she memorably portrayed the earthy, colorful waitress Flo; David Lynch’s 199...