Copyright Variety
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation, the non-profit organization that provides assistance and education to actors, has established the Diane Ladd Fund to help performers in need of critical health and medical support. The Fund was established with the Ladd family, honoring its namesake who died on Nov. 3. Diane Ladd was a three-time Academy Award nominated actress who starred in over 200 film and television titles over the past seven decades. She was a longtime supporter of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and its emergency financial assistance program, advocating for the protection of performers facing health crises or struggling to pay medical bills. Ladd’s daughter Laura Dern said in a statement, “My mom was always so moved when she spoke about the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s crucial support of our members during hard times. She cared immensely about our fellow performing community and was a steadfast and outspoken advocate to help actors gain access to much needed health care in critical situations. It’s a testament of her commitment to our community that she wished to partner with the Foundation to establish The Diane Ladd Fund.” SAG-AFTRA Foundation executive director Cyd Wilson added, “The establishment of this Fund is a great honor to an actor who did much to highlight the needs of others. We do all we can to support performers in times of need and Diane understood this on a personal level. Our work literally changes lives and her generosity will help the assistance go further.”
