Oscar-Winning Actress Diane Keaton Dies at 79: Hollywood Mourns and Look Back on Her Career Timeline
Saturday, Oct. 11 – Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton has passed away at the age of 79. A family spokesperson confirmed this news. Her passing occurred in California, though no cause of death has been disclosed at this time. Friends close to Keaton say her health “declined very suddenly” in the months leading up to her death.
Rizzoli, the publisher behind several of Keaton’s books, announced her passing in a statement, describing her as an “icon whose legacy shaped film, fashion, and design.”
Hollywood Mourns, Paying Tributes Pour In After Diane Keaton’s Death
The news has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and beyond. Colleagues, co-stars, and admirers have taken to social media to express their grief and share memories of a career spanning more than five decades.
Among those paying tribute are:
Actress and comedian Bette Midler took to Instagram to post Keaton’s photo with a caption:
“The brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary Diane Keaton has died. I cannot tell you how unbearably sad this makes me. She was hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star. What you saw was who she was…oh, la, lala!”
View this post on Instagram
Rosie O’Donnell, known for her role in A League of Their Own , also posted Keaton’s photo with a caption:
“oh this breaks my heart – love to her children- what style what grace – she will be missed #ripdianekeaton 😥💔.”
View this post on Instagram
Viola Davis shared a Reel on IG captioned:
“No!! No!!! No!! God, not yet, NO!!! Man… you defined womanhood. The pathos, humor, levity, your ever-present youthfulness and vulnerability — you tattooed your SOUL into every role, making it impossible to imagine anyone else inhabiting them. You were undeniably, unapologetically YOU!!! Loved you. Man… rest well. God bless your family, and I know angels are flying you home. 💔💔💔”
View this post on Instagram
Diane Keaton’s Career Timeline: Looking Back at Her Decades in Film
Diane Keaton began her acting journey on the Broadway stage in the late 1960s, where she appeared in the musical Hair and later earned a Tony nomination for Woody Allen’s Play It Again, Sam. Her early stage work showcased her expressive talent and comedic timing, qualities that would define her film career in the years to come.
Her transition to film came in 1970 with Lovers and Other Strangers, but her big break arrived two years later when she portrayed Kay Adams in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather. The role introduced her to a global audience and marked the beginning of a long career in cinema. Keaton would go on to reprise the role in The Godfather Part II (1974) and Part III (1990), solidifying her place in one of the most influential film franchises in history.
The 1970s also saw Keaton form a defining collaboration with Woody Allen, appearing in Play It Again, Sam, Sleeper, and Love and Death. Her portrayal of the quirky and intelligent Annie Hall in 1977 brought her international acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Actress. The film not only changed romantic comedies forever but also made Keaton a cultural icon whose distinctive fashion and personality inspired countless fans.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, Keaton continued to evolve as an actress. She earned praise for dramatic performances in Reds (1981) and Marvin’s Room (1996), while also charming audiences in lighter hits such as Baby Boom (1987) and Father of the Bride (1991). Her ability to balance humor and emotion kept her a consistent presence in Hollywood at a time when roles for women her age were scarce.
Keaton’s later career featured a resurgence in popularity, beginning with Something’s Gotta Give (2003), which earned her another Oscar nomination. She followed this with memorable roles in The Family Stone (2005) and Book Club (2018), proving her timeless appeal across generations. Beyond acting, she also explored directing and photography, showing her creativity extended well beyond the screen.
Across more than five decades, Diane Keaton appeared in over 60 films and became one of Hollywood’s most respected and recognizable figures. Her performances, often marked by wit and sincerity, helped shape the landscape of modern cinema and left an enduring legacy that will continue to influence future generations of actors and filmmakers.