She lit up the screen in more than 100 films, but legendary actress Diane Keaton is being remembered most of all for her vibrant spirit and effortless originality after her sudden death from pneumonia at the age of 79.
Her co-stars and fans went into shock and mourning after the actress passed away on 11 October at her home in Los Angeles, following a rapid decline in her health.
Kooky, charming, humble and with a natural ability to make others laugh, the outpouring of tributes for Diane all echoed the same sentiment – she had a heart of gold and talent in spades. The other stars of 1996 hit The First Wives Club, Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler, were among the first to share their heartbreak.
Bette described their friend as “hilarious, a complete original”, but it was Goldie’s touching post that showed how solid their bond remained for years after they had worked together.
“Diane, we aren’t ready to lose you,” wrote Goldie.
“We agreed to grow old together and one day maybe live together with all our girlfriends. Well, we never got to live together, but we did grow older together. Shine your fairy dust up there, girlfriend. I’m going to miss you.”
Meanwhile, Reese Witherspoon teared up as she recalled when “one of my first mentors in this business” cast her in an early project.
Remembered as one of the nicest stars to work with, Diane continued to forge lasting friendships until the end of her career. Her recent Book Club co-star Mary Steenburgen posted on social media, “Diane was magic. There was no one, nor will there ever be, anyone like her.”
A Trailblazer for women
Diane made her mark in iconic films like The Godfather, Annie Hall, Father Of The Bride and Something’s Gotta Give, in a career spanning more than five decades. Critics hailed her as a trailblazer for women in film, celebrating her authenticity and bold, gender-defying style choices.
Unapologetically herself, Diane was unique in how she lived her life too. The actress didn’t have children until her fifties, when she adopted daughter Dexter, now 29, and son Duke, now 25. She raised them on her own and spoke of how content she was with her unconventional family life.
“I don’t think anyone could possibly have the same wonderful, intense, compelling feelings that I have for this family of mine,” Diane wrote in her 2011 memoir Then Again.
She also made a point of never getting married and had no regrets about her decision to go it alone.
“I think I’m the only one in my generation, and maybe before, who has been a single woman all her life,” Diane once revealed.
Despite never marrying, she certainly wasn’t short of romantic love during her lifetime – many of those relationships blossoming on a Hollywood set. Her first public romance was in the ’70s, with director Woody Allen with whom she remained close friends for five decades after their love story ended.
Her great loves
The frequent collaborators did eight films together, but it was Diane’s comedic turn in Annie Hall – which many believe Woody wrote about their relationship – that landed her an Oscar. Diane went on to date her “charming” The Godfather co-star Al Pacino in 1974 and they were on and off for 15 years.
“I was really very taken with Al from the very beginning,” she admitted.
Her other notable relationship was with 1981 Reds co-star Warren Beatty, who she admitted to having a crush on decades earlier.
“I mean, come on!” she said of her ex in 2016.
“He was to die for – a dream!”
Annie Hall, 1977
She called Annie “an idealised version of me”.
Father of the Bride, 1991
“They were so touching,” she said of the films.
Red, 1981
The role got her an Oscar nod – and a boyfriend!
The First Wives Club, 1996
The dream trio made the divorce film a hit.
The Family Stone, 2005
As matriarch Sybil in this story of love and loss.
Something’s Gotta Give, 2003
One of “my favourite films”, it earned her a Golden Globe.
