Diane Keaton, Oscar-winning star of Annie Hall and The Godfather, dies aged 79
The legendary actor best known for her many collaborations with Woody Allen, as well as films including Reds, The First Wives Club and Book Club, has died
Hollywood is mourning the loss of one of its most cherished icons. Diane Keaton — the Academy Award–winning actor known for her unforgettable performances in Annie Hall, The Godfather trilogy, Reds, The First Wives Club, and Book Club — has passed away at the age of 79 in California.
Her death was confirmed by People magazine. A family representative said that loved ones are requesting privacy, and no additional details have been released. The news came as a shock throughout the entertainment industry, as Keaton had been out of the spotlight for several months and had not revealed any illness.
Bette Midler, who starred alongside Keaton in The First Wives Club, shared her grief on Instagram: “The brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary Diane Keaton has died. I cannot tell you how unbearably sad this makes me. She was hilarious and completely without guile or competitiveness. What you saw was who she truly was… oh, la, lala!”
Mary Steenburgen, Keaton’s friend and Book Club co-star, told Deadline: “She was magic. There was no one, nor will there ever be, anyone like her. I loved her and felt blessed to be her friend.”
Actor and director Elizabeth Banks echoed the sentiments on Instagram: “She was beloved in her industry. Every one of us idolized her. Her influence on culture, fashion, art, and women can’t be overstated. She was a delight. I’m proud I had a career that let me meet her and breathe her air.”
Keaton also directed two music videos for pop star Belinda Carlisle, who remembered her on X (formerly Twitter) as “kind and eccentric and I was blessed to know her.”
Actor Ben Stiller called Keaton “one of the greatest film actors ever. An icon of style, humor, and comedy. Brilliant. What a person.” Director Paul Feig wrote that he was “so honored to call Diane Keaton a friend,” adding that she was “amazingly kind and creative” and that “she’s been taken from us far too soon.” Nancy Sinatra also paid tribute on X: “Diane Keaton has left us and I can’t tell you how profoundly sad that makes me. I adored her — idolized her. She was a very special person and an incredibly gifted actor who made each of her roles unforgettable.”
A Singular Force in Film and Fashion
Keaton’s 1977 Oscar-winning performance in Annie Hall — the neurotic yet charming muse written and directed by Woody Allen — cemented her as one of cinema’s defining figures. Allen based much of the film’s character on Keaton herself, from her wit and quirks to her idiosyncratic wardrobe that made her an enduring style icon. With her signature hats, turtlenecks, ties, and wide-leg trousers, Keaton’s look became instantly recognizable and wholly her own.
Her breakout role came earlier, however, as Kay Adams in The Godfather (1972), opposite Al Pacino. She reprised the role in both sequels, capturing the emotional evolution of Michael Corleone’s wife across decades. Keaton went on to earn three additional Academy Award nominations for Reds (1981), Marvin’s Room (1996), and Something’s Gotta Give (2003).
Throughout her career, she took on challenging roles in films like Looking for Mr. Goodbar, Shoot the Moon, and The Good Mother, proving unafraid to portray complicated, even unlikable, women — a rarity in Hollywood at the time.
Lifelong Collaborations and Fierce Loyalty
Keaton’s professional partnership with Woody Allen began on Broadway with Play It Again, Sam in 1971, earning her a Tony nomination. Together, they made eight films, including Sleeper (1973), Love and Death (1975), and Manhattan (1979).
In 1993, she stepped into a role originally written for Mia Farrow in Manhattan Murder Mystery. Keaton remained publicly supportive of Allen after the allegations of abuse made by Farrow against him — a stance that sparked ongoing debate but reflected Keaton’s steadfast loyalty to those she cared about. Following her death, Allen’s adopted daughters with Soon-Yi Previn, Manzie and Bechet, both expressed heartbreak on Instagram, with Manzie writing that she was “absolutely heartbroken.”
A Career That Spanned Generations
Beyond her collaborations with Allen, Keaton starred in a remarkable array of hit comedies and dramas, from Baby Boom and Father of the Bride to The First Wives Club and Book Club.
Her last known film, Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023), may be among her final screen appearances. In an interview with The Guardian promoting that film, Keaton reflected on her relentless creativity:
“It gives me an opportunity to get to know more people in a different realm. I love it. It’s all interesting. It’s never dull, ever — life.”
She also shared her fascination with photographing doors and deserted storefronts, saying she found them poignant: “Because life is haunting! You have an idea of what it is, or what it should be, or what it could be. But it’s not that at all! It’s just things going up and down!”
A Life Beyond the Screen
Keaton adopted two children — daughter Dexter in 1996 and son Duke in 2001 — both of whom she described as the greatest blessings of her life.
“Motherhood has completely changed me,” she said. “It’s the most humbling experience I’ve ever had.” Despite well-documented romances with Warren Beatty and Al Pacino, Keaton never married.
She also spent years caring for her mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1993 and passed away in 2008. Keaton dedicated sections of her memoirs to her mother’s life and published her diaries, describing her as “everything to me… the heart of everything that was best.” She was also the primary caregiver for her brother Randy, who struggled with mental health issues and died in 2021.
The Multifaceted Artist
While she was best known for her film work, Keaton also ventured into television, notably as a mischievous nun in The Young Pope alongside Jude Law. Off-screen, she became a skilled real estate investor and designer, restoring historic homes across California. Her creative ventures extended to fashion, home décor, eyewear, and wine — all infused with her signature flair.
In 2017, the American Film Institute honored her with a Lifetime Achievement Award. During her acceptance speech, Keaton sang “Seems Like Old Times,” the nostalgic tune from Annie Hall — a fitting tribute to her cinematic legacy.
In December 2024, she surprised fans by releasing her first single, First Christmas, a gentle festive song that would become her final public project. Keaton remained an enthusiastic social media presence until April 2025, when she shared her last Instagram post for National Pet Day — a tender photo with her beloved golden retriever, Reggie.
Remembering Diane Keaton
From The Godfather to Book Club, from her androgynous fashion to her unfiltered humor, Diane Keaton redefined what it meant to be a leading lady in Hollywood — authentic, unpredictable, and deeply human.
She once said that life was “never dull,” and for those who loved her work, it never was.
Diane Keaton leaves behind two children, countless fans, and a body of work that will continue to inspire generations.
May your children find comfort knowing your angel watches over them still. Rest in peace, and thank you for enduring laughter and grace b