Hollywood actress Diane Keaton has died from pneumonia at the age of 79, her family has confirmed. The star, known for iconic roles in The Godfather trilogy, Annie Hall and Father Of The Bride, passed away on October 11.
Her family released a statement expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support. "The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11," the statement read.
The family requested donations to food banks or animal shelters in her memory, noting: "She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her."
Career breakthrough and legacy
Keaton began her film career in 1970 with Lovers And Other Strangers before achieving her breakthrough role in 1972. She played Kay, the girlfriend and later wife of Al Pacino's Michael Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather, reprising the role in the 1974 and 1990 sequels.
Her extensive filmography included The Family Stone, The Book Club movies, and recent 2024 releases Summer Camp and Arthur's Whisky. She won an Oscar for Best Actress for Annie Hall and received nominations for Something's Gotta Give, Marvin's Room and Reds.
Industry pays tribute
Filmmaker Nancy Meyers, who directed Keaton in multiple films including Baby Boom and Something's Gotta Give, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram. "As a movie lover, I'm with you all - we have lost a giant. A brilliant actress who time and again laid herself bare to tell our stories," Meyers wrote.
She continued: "As a woman, I lost a friend of almost 40 years - at times over those years, she felt like a sister because we shared so many truly memorable experiences. As a filmmaker, I've lost a connection with an actress that one can only dream of. She was fearless, she was like nobody ever, she was born to be a movie star, her laugh could make your day and for me, knowing her and working with her - changed my life. Thank you Di. I'll miss you forever."
Co-stars from The First Wives Club also paid tribute, with Goldie Hawn saying Keaton left "memories beyond imagination" and "stole the hearts of the world". Bette Midler described her as "hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile".
Personal life and final wishes
Keaton adopted daughter Dexter in 1996 and son Duke four years later, though she never married. Her long collaboration with former boyfriend Woody Allen included the Oscar-winning Annie Hall, which became synonymous with her character's distinctive menswear-inspired style.
Francis Ford Coppola praised her "wonder and talent", while Jane Fonda called her "a spark of life and light" and Ben Stiller described her as "one of the greatest film actors ever". A family spokesperson has requested privacy for Keaton's loved ones following her death in California.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
