5 Major Updates On Laura Dern: From Heartbreak To Her Biggest Projects Of 2025

Laura Dern remains one of Hollywood's most versatile and compelling actresses, constantly balancing high-profile blockbuster roles with critically acclaimed prestige projects. As of December 10, 2025, the Oscar-winning star is navigating a period of significant personal change while simultaneously driving some of the most anticipated releases in film and television.

This article provides an in-depth, up-to-the-minute look at her 2025 projects, including a major new film release, the renewal of her hit streaming series, and the recent, heartbreaking loss that has touched her family and the entire film community. Her commitment to nuanced storytelling continues to define her legendary career.

Laura Dern: A Comprehensive Biography and Profile

Laura Elizabeth Dern was born on February 10, 1967, in Los Angeles, California, into one of Hollywood's most respected acting families. Her parents are the legendary actors Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd, making her a second-generation powerhouse in the industry. This familial connection to cinema deeply influenced her early career, with her first film appearance occurring at the age of six in White Lightning (1973).

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Dern’s career trajectory is marked by a fearless embrace of complex, often challenging characters, leading to a filmography that spans multiple genres and generations of cinema history. She has collaborated with iconic directors like David Lynch in Blue Velvet and Wild at Heart, and Steven Spielberg in the groundbreaking Jurassic Park franchise, where she played the beloved paleobotanist Dr. Ellie Sattler, a role she reprised in 2022's Jurassic World Dominion.

Her later career saw a resurgence of critical acclaim, culminating in her Oscar win for Best Supporting Actress for her role as a ruthless divorce lawyer in Noah Baumbach's Marriage Story (2019). She also received praise for her work in the HBO series Big Little Lies and her role as Marmee in Greta Gerwig's adaptation of Little Women (2019).

Personal and Professional Profile:

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• Full Name: Laura Elizabeth Dern
• Born: February 10, 1967 (Age 58 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Parents: Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd
• Spouse (Divorced): Ben Harper (2005–2013)
• Children: Ellery Walker Harper and Jaya Harper
• Key Awards: Academy Award, Emmy Award (Multiple), Golden Globe Award (Multiple)
• Recent Work: Palm Royale (TV Series), Is This Thing On? (Film)

The Heartbreaking Loss of a Legend: Diane Ladd's Passing

The end of 2025 brought profound sadness for Laura Dern and the entire film community with the passing of her mother, the three-time Oscar-nominated actress Diane Ladd. Diane Ladd died peacefully on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the age of 89 at her family home in Ojai, California.

The loss is particularly poignant as it came just months after Ladd also lost her husband, Robert Charles Hunter. Diane Ladd was known for her remarkable talent and intensity, with a career that spanned decades and included iconic roles in films like Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore and Rambling Rose, both of which she starred in alongside her daughter, Laura Dern.

Laura Dern has often spoken about her mother's immense influence, not just on her career but on her life, emphasizing their unique mother-daughter acting partnership. The news, which revealed her cause of death as acute on chronic hypoxic respiratory failure, has led to an outpouring of tributes from Hollywood figures who admired Ladd’s work and her powerful spirit.

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Dern's public announcement and subsequent tributes have highlighted the deep, enduring bond between the two women, who famously became the first mother-daughter duo to receive Oscar nominations for the same film, Rambling Rose (1991). This recent personal event adds a layer of profound reflection to Dern's current public appearances and work.

Her Biggest Projects Dominating 2025 and Beyond

Despite the personal challenges, Laura Dern’s professional life is busier than ever, anchored by a major theatrical release and the renewal of a critically acclaimed streaming series. Her current slate demonstrates her continued ability to choose diverse and high-quality projects, solidifying her topical authority in both film and television.

The Highly Anticipated Film: Is This Thing On?

One of the most talked-about films of late 2025 is the comedy-drama Is This Thing On?, starring Laura Dern opposite Will Arnett. The film, which is directed by Bradley Cooper, has been generating significant buzz. It was selected as the closing night feature for the 63rd New York Film Festival on October 10, signaling its prestige status.

The film focuses on a separated couple, played by Dern and Arnett, who are navigating the complexities of redefining love and life. Arnett's character is loosely inspired by the life of British comedian John Bishop. The movie also features a star-studded cast including Andra Day, Amy Sedaris, and Sean Hayes. The US theatrical release is slated for December 19, 2025, positioning it as a major contender in the upcoming awards season.

Apple TV+'s Hit Series: Palm Royale Season 2

Dern is not only a star but also an executive producer on the hit Apple TV+ period comedy series Palm Royale, which has been officially renewed for a second season. The show, which also stars Kristen Wiig and Allison Janney, is a major success for the streaming platform, having received 11 Emmy Award nominations for its first season.

Through her production company, Jaywalker Pictures, alongside producing partner Jayme Lemons, Dern has been instrumental in bringing the project to life. The series, which explores the cutthroat world of 1960s Palm Beach high society, allows Dern to showcase her incredible range in a comedic yet deeply layered role. The renewal and the mention of a Season 2 trailer confirm that this is a central focus of her current work, with fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter.

Future Filmography and LSI Entities

Beyond her immediate releases, Laura Dern’s pipeline is robust, demonstrating her continued demand across the industry. Her upcoming projects highlight a commitment to diverse storytelling and include several films currently in development or post-production:

• Ozi, Voice of the Forest (TBA): A voice role in an animated project.
• Monsanto (TBA): A potentially hard-hitting drama, reflecting her interest in social and environmental issues.
• Morning (TBA): A film project with unknown details but listed as upcoming.
• Hart's Location (TBA): Another film project in development.

The sheer volume of her current and upcoming work—from the blockbuster scale of Star Wars: The Last Jedi to the intimate drama of Marriage Story—cements her status as a true Hollywood icon. Her ability to transition seamlessly between major franchises and nuanced character studies, all while navigating significant personal events, makes her one of the most compelling figures in modern cinema.