Thinking she had just months to live, Laura Dern's mother 'spilled the beans' (2023 interview)

Actor Laura Dern and her mother Diane Ladd have always shared a profession. But when Ladd was diagnosed with lung disease, the two started sharing so much more. Their book is "Honey, Baby, Mine." In this 2023 interview, Dern talks with Terry Gross about growing up with actor parents, encountering predatory behavior in Hollywood, and accessing rage for some of her hot-headed roles.

This episode originally aired June 26, 2023.

LISTEN TO DAILY EPISODES OF FRESH AIR
https://www.npr.org/podcasts/38144490...

LISTEN TO OTHER FRESH AIR INTERVIEWS ON YOUTUBE (published once a week)
   • Fresh Air  

SUBSCRIBE TO FRESH AIR+ FOR BONUS EPISODES
https://plus.npr.org/freshair

FOLLOW “FRESH AIR”
  / nprfreshair  
  / nprfreshair  
https://whyy.org/freshair (Newsletter)

SUBSCRIBE TO WHYY AND NPR
WHYY:    / @whyyphiladelphia  
NPR:    / @npr  
NPR Music (Tiny Desk):    / @nprmusic  
Jazz Night in America:    / @jazznightinamerica  

NOTE: Captions are auto-generated by YouTube.

See “Fresh Air” sponsors and promo codes
https://www.nationalpublicmedia.com/p...

The NPR shows you love are possible thanks to your support. Donate today: https://www.npr.org/donations/support

0:00 - Introduction to Laura Dern and Her Career

0:59 - The New Book, Honey Baby Mine, and Diane Ladd's Diagnosis

1:49 - Diane Ladd's Health Update: "Practicing Medicine"

2:15 - Environmental Activism and Pesticides

3:32 - "Spilling the Beans": Asking Personal Questions on Walks

5:47 - Enlightened Scene: A Look at Miscommunication

8:27 - Working with Her Mother, Diane Ladd

10:46 - Growing Up with Actor Parents and Confusion of Roles

13:15 - Protection from Bruce Dern's Tough-Guy Image

14:29 - Comparing Exploitation in Hollywood: Her Mother's vs. Her Own Experience

16:47 - Reclaiming the Word "Ambition"

17:38 - Near Misses and Inappropriate Audition Spaces as a Teenager

19:52 - David Lynch and the Making of Blue Velvet

22:42 - Reaction to the Dark Side of Blue Velvet

25:50 - Citizen Ruth Scene and Being Pro-Choice Catholic

30:18 - Tapping into Rage for Big Little Lies

32:06 - Becoming a Gay Icon and the Ellen "Puppy Episode"

36:27 - Marriage Story and the "Good Father" Monologue

39:06 - Conclusion: Sharing Truth Physically Heals