(KTLA) — Acclaimed for her Oscar-winning performances, Diane Keaton, a luminary whose career spanned over five decades and featured standout roles in “The Godfather,” “Annie Hall,” and “Father of the Bride,” has passed away at age 79 in California, as reported.
A family spokesperson confirmed her death to People and said loved ones have asked for privacy. Further details were not immediately available.
Keaton achieved fame in the 1970s with the role of Kay Adams in “The Godfather” trilogy and later won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall.” Renowned for her distinct voice, sharp wit, and signature menswear-inspired fashion, she became one of Hollywood’s most notable leading actresses.
Throughout her extensive career, Keaton starred in films such as “The First Wives Club,” “Something’s Gotta Give,” “Baby Boom,” and the “Book Club” series, among many others. She also ventured into directing and producing, staying active on social media where she often shared personal reflections with her audience.
Keaton’s final film role was in last year’s comedy “Summer Camp,” alongside fellow veterans Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard.
Born Diane Hall in Los Angeles in 1946, she adopted her mother’s maiden name, Keaton, for her professional pursuits. She never married and is survived by her two children, Dexter and Duke.
Hollywood reacts
On Instagram Saturday, Keaton’s “First Wives Club” co-star Bette Midler expressed, “The brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary Diane Keaton has died. The depth of my sadness is indescribable. She was hilarious, utterly original, devoid of any guile or the competitiveness one might anticipate from a star of her magnitude. She was exactly as she appeared…oh, la, lala!”
Steve Martin, who appeared alongside Keaton in the “Father of the Bride” series, shared a photo featuring a quote from an Interview magazine piece with Diane. Addressing Keaton, actor Martin Short, a close friend to both Martin and Keaton, inquired, “Who’s sexier, me or Steve Martin?” Keaton replied, “I mean, you’re both idiots.” Martin captioned on Instagram, “This perfectly captures our wonderful relationship with Diane.”
Pop star and actor Mandy Moore, who played Keaton’s daughter in the 2007 romcom “Because I Said So,” said in an Instagram Story, simply: “God, I love her. Legend. Forever.” Another of Keaton’s on-screen daughters, Juliette Lewis (1999’s “The Other Sister”) also shared a video of Keaton in a Story, with a caption reading: “Singular one-of-a-kind magic.” Finally, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, who played Keaton’s daughter in the “Father of the Bride” films, wrote via Instagram on Saturday: “Diane, working with you will always be one of the highlights of my life. You are one of a kind, and it was thrilling to be in your orbit for a time. Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, your talent, and above all, your laughter.”
