Hollywood Pays Tribute to Diane Keaton After Death at 79: ‘A Complete Original’

On Saturday, People reported that the star — who appeared in numerous films during her career — had passed away at 79 in California. Keaton’s cause of death was not revealed, with People noting that her family is asking for privacy.

The Los Angeles Fire Department told TMZ it responded to a call at Keaton’s home on Saturday morning, and transported an individual to a hospital via ambulance, with sources telling the outlet Keaton was the one transported.

Keaton — who was born Diane Hall — had an illustrious career that spanned over five decades, starring in Annie Hall, Father of the Bride, The Godfather, and more. Her career began on Broadway in the 60s in the musical Hair, before she starred in Woody Allen’s production, Play It Again Sam, with Keaton receiving a Tony nomination for her performance.

While Keaton made her film debut the next year in Lovers and Other Strangers, her breakout role was in 1972 in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, in which she played the girlfriend of Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone.

In the years that followed, Keaton frequently collaborated with Allen, including in the film adaptation of Play It Again, Sam, Manhattan, Sleeper, Love and Death, and Annie Hall. For her performance in the titular role in 1977’s Annie Hall, Heaton won the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Keaton went on to star in many films in the subsequent decades, including many comedies and romcoms, including The First Wives Club, The Family Stone, and Book Club, and her five collaborations with Nancy Meyers, which included Something’s Gotta Give, Father of the Bride, and Baby Boom.

As for her personal life, Keaton was romantically linked to several actors during her career, including Allen, Pacino, and Warren Beatty. However, she never married. She is survived by her two children, whom she adopted, Dexter and Duke.

Keaton’s last Instagram post was shared in April for National Pet Day. The post was a collaboration with the home goods brand, Hudson Grace, in which she had a collection, including pet products.

The post featured adorable photos of Keaton and her beloved golden retriever, Reggie, posing with the Hudson Grace projects.

“Proof our pets have great taste too! Happy National Pet Day from HG & @diane_keaton 🖤🐾 #nationalpetday,” read the caption.

Following the sad news of Keaton’s passing, reactions began pouring in, with stars across Hollywood paying tribute to the legendary actress.

Keaton’s Book Club co-star Jane Fonda shared a touching tribute on Instagram, writing, “It’s hard to believe…or accept…that Diane has passed. She was always a spark of life and light, constantly giggling at her own foibles, being limitlessly creative…in her acting, her wardrobe, her books, her friends, her homes, her library, her world view. Unique is what she was. And, though she didn’t know it or wouldn’t admit it, man she was a fine actress.”

Bette Midler — who famously starred alongside Keaton in 1996’s The First Wives Club — mourned her late co-star’s death on Instagram, writing, “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!”

Keaton and Midler’s other First Wives Club co-star, Goldie Hawn, posted a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram.

“Diane, we aren’t ready to lose you. You’ve left us with a trail of fairy dust, filled with particles of light and memories beyond imagination. How do we say goodbye? What words can come to mind when your heart is broken? You never liked praise, so humble, but now you can’t tell me to ‘shut up’honey. There was, and will be, no one like you,” Hawn wrote. “You stole the hearts of the world and shared your genius with millions, making films that made us laugh and cry in ways only you could. I was blessed to make First Wives Club with you, our days starting with coffee in the makeup trailer, laughing and joking, right through to the very last day of filming. It was a roller coaster of love.”

“We agreed to grow old together, and one day, maybe live together with all our girlfriends,” she continued. “Well, we never got to live together, but we did grow older together. Who knows… maybe in the next life. Shine your fairy dust up there, girlfriend. I’m going to miss the hell out of you. My heart goes out to your beautiful children, Dex and Duke. I love you.”

Kate Hudson — Hawn’s daughter — posted a clip of her mother, Midler, and Keaton together from the beloved comedy, writing, “We love you so much Diane ❤️🕊️.”

My Big Fat Greek Wedding actress Nia Vardalos reposted the black and white photo of Keaton Midler shared, and wrote, “Grace. Style. Talent. Above all, a comedy gal who set the bar high for all of us who came after. Rest in peace sweet and funny Diane Keaton.”

Steve Martin — who played Keaton’s husband in Father of the Bride and its sequel — honored Keaton on Instagram, sharing a screenshot from a Q&A with their co-star Martin Short for Interview magazine in 2021.

At the time, Short asked Keaton, “Who’s sexier, me or Steve Martin?,” to which Keaton quipped, “I mean, you’re both idiots.”

“Don’t know who first posted this, but it sums up our delightful relationship with Diane,” Martin wrote alongside the screenshot.

Octavia Butler also shared a tribute on Instagram, calling Keaton a “true original,” adding that Keaton “wasn’t just an actress: she was a force. a woman who showed us that being yourself is the most powerful thing you can be.”

“From Annie Hall to Something’s Gotta Give, she made every role unforgettable. But beyond the screen, she brought joy, laughter, and style that was all her own. Thank you, Diane, for reminding us that authenticity never goes out of fashion. 🤍,” she added.

Viola Davis expressed that she was devastated by the news, writing, “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. 💔💔💔.”

Meanwhile, Mandy Moore — who starred as Keaton’s on-screen daughter in the 2007 romantic comedy, Because I Said So — shared a sweet tribute on Instagram. Alongside a photo from the movie, Moore wrote, “They say don’t meet your hero[e]s but I got to work with one of mine and even call her ‘mom’ for a few months. An honor of a lifetime. What an incandescent human Di is and was. I am so sad she’s gone for all the reasons but also because it felt like she’d be here forever, dazzling us with her talent and charm (and her style, c’mon)!!! One of the very best to ever do it. All my love to her children and loved ones.”

A handful of stars expressed their shock and sadness at Keaton’s death in the comments section of People’s Instagram post reporting her passing.

“Heartbroken 💔,” Sarah Hyland commented, while Olivia Munn shared three broken heart emojis.

See more tributes in the posts, below.