The SAG-AFTRA Foundation announced the establishment of The Diane Ladd Fund, created together with Ladd’s family to honor the legacy of the esteemed actor and visionary, a longtime champion of the Foundation and its Emergency Financial Assistance Program.
Ladd’s deep empathy for performers facing health crises and medical emergencies inspired the effort to strengthen the program, and specifically help eligible SAG-AFTRA members in need of assistance with their health premiums, COBRA payments, and catastrophic health matters.
“My mom was always so moved when she spoke about the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s crucial support of our members during hard times,” said Ladd’s daughter and actor Laura Dern. “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.”
Speaking at the SAG [AFTRA] Foundation’s 30th Anniversary celebration on November 5, 2015, Ladd shared, “Thanks to these programs [at the Foundation] countless SAG-AFTRA members and families have received critical financial and medical support to get them through some very rough times.”
“The establishment of this Fund is a great honor to an actor who did much to highlight the needs of others,” said SAG-AFTRA Foundation Executive Director Cyd Wilson. “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.”
To make a donation to The Diane Ladd Fund, please visit sagaftra.foundation/dianeladdfund.
