Academy Award-winning actress Diane Keaton, a beloved figure whose versatile career spanned decades in film, television, and beyond, passed away on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the age of 79 in Los Angeles. Her death, initially reported by People and later by TMZ, has prompted a widespread outpouring of grief and tributes from numerous Hollywood luminaries and industry colleagues.

Keaton, born Diane Hall in Los Angeles on January 5, 1946, began her professional acting career on Broadway, famously declining to strip for the notorious ensemble nude scene in the 1968 production of “Hair.” Her big-screen debut came in 1970’s “Lovers and Other Strangers.” A pivotal moment arrived with an open audition for Woody Allen’s “Play It Again, Sam,” first on Broadway in 1969 and then adapted for screen in 1972, where she co-starred with Allen and sparked a romantic and professional partnership that would profoundly shape her early career. Their collaborations extended to films like “Sleeper” (1973) and “Love and Death” (1975).

However, it was her powerful performance as Kay Adams, the girlfriend and later spouse of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), in Francis Ford Coppola’s seminal films “The Godfather” (1972) and “The Godfather Part II” (1974) that truly established her as a major artist. Audiences witnessed the gravitas Keaton could bring to a role, her quiet moral authority, and her fearless confrontation of Michael’s transformation, culminating in one of American cinema’s most lacerating moments when Kay reveals her abortion. These roles etched an arc of their own, showcasing her early dramatic depth.

The role that would forever cement her place in cinematic history and earn her an Academy Award for Best Actress was Annie Hall in Woody Allen’s 1977 romantic comedy of the same name. Her portrayal of the loopy, charming, and self-apologetic character, for which she also served as a model, became an instant cultural phenomenon. The film, which also garnered Oscars for Best Picture, Director, and Original Screenplay, made Keaton a style icon. Her distinctive, off-kilter fashion – wide-brimmed hats, men’s shirts, ties, vests, and billowy khakis – was widely emulated by young women and became a powerful symbol of newly evolving feminine identity. Her performance, infused with a blend of flustered shyness and undeniable grace, concluded memorably with her rendition of “Seems Like Old Times.”

Following her “Annie Hall” success, Keaton swiftly moved to demonstrate her remarkable versatility. She embraced darker, more somber projects, including her raw portrayal of a promiscuous schoolteacher in “Looking for Mr. Goodbar” (1977), and continued her work with Allen in Bergmanesque dramas like “Interiors” (1978) and the dark comedy-drama “Manhattan” (1979), where she infused her character Mary with an acid quickness. She earned her second Oscar nomination for her performance as the socialite-turned-radical Louise Bryant in Warren Beatty’s sprawling political drama “Reds” (1981).

The 1980s saw Keaton continue to expand her repertoire with critically acclaimed roles in films such as Gillian Armstrong’s “Mrs. Soffel” (1984) and Bruce Beresford’s “Crimes of the Heart” (1986). She rekindled her comedic talents with a series of fruitful collaborations with writer and director Nancy Meyers, beginning with “Baby Boom” (1987), where she played a harried career woman who inherits an infant. In the 1990s, she reprised her role as Kay Adams Corleone in “The Godfather Part III” (1990) and achieved further commercial success in Meyers’ remake of “Father of the Bride” (1991) and its 1995 sequel. A major hit came with “The First Wives Club” (1996), where she teamed up with Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn.

Keaton continued to garner critical acclaim, receiving two more Best Actress Oscar nominations for her roles in “Marvin’s Room” (1996), opposite Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio, and as a playwright in Nancy Meyers’ rom-com “Something’s Gotta Give” (2003) alongside Jack Nicholson. Her more recent feature roles included “Book Club,” its sequel, “Poms,” and her last onscreen appearance in 2024’s “Summer Camp.”

Beyond her acting prowess, Keaton was a prolific director, helming music videos for artists like Belinda Carlisle (“Heaven is a Place on Earth,” “I Get Weak”), and directing episodes for television series such as “China Beach” and “Twin Peaks,” as well as features like “Unstrung Heroes” (1995) and “Hanging Up” (2000). She also produced the Fox series “Pasadena” and Gus Van Sant’s “Elephant” (2003). An accomplished author, she penned bestselling memoirs including “Then Again” (2011), “Let’s Just Say It Wasn’t Pretty” (2015), and “Brother and Sister” (2020). From the 1970s, she was also an avid photographer whose work was collected in “Reservations” and who edited several photo collections, and was actively involved in preserving historic houses.

In 2017, Keaton received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. During the ceremony, presented by Woody Allen, she memorably eschewed a traditional speech in favor of performing “Seems Like Old Times” from “Annie Hall.” She never married but is survived by her adopted daughter, Dexter, and son, Duke.

The news of her passing brought an immediate cascade of heartfelt tributes. Bette Midler, her “The First Wives Club” co-star, expressed profound sadness, calling Keaton “brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary,” “hilarious, and completely without guile.” Goldie Hawn, another co-star from the film, fondly recalled their days together, stating she was “blessed to make ‘First Wives Club’ with you” and lamented not getting to live together as they had once agreed. Sarah Jessica Parker told Variety that Keaton was “a point of inspiration for countless actresses” and admired her “singular skill and talent,” cherishing memories from their time on “The First Wives Club” and “The Family Stone.”

Ben Stiller lauded her on X as “One of the greatest film actors ever. An icon of style, humor and comedy. Brilliant. What a person.” Kerry Washington shared her condolences on Threads, praising Keaton’s “talent, courage, and authenticity.” Jane Fonda, via Instagram, described her as a “spark of life and light,” “limitlessly creative,” and “Unique,” adding, “man she was a fine actress!” Singer Belinda Carlisle, for whom Keaton directed two music videos, expressed heartbreak, acknowledging Keaton as “such a talent and a BIG part of my career.”

Octavia Spencer remembered Keaton as “a true original” and “a force,” who “showed us that being yourself is the most powerful thing you can be.” Kate Hudson, daughter of Goldie Hawn, simply wrote, “We love you so much Diane.” Singer Nancy Sinatra expressed her deep sadness, admitting she “adored her — idolized her,” and recognized her as “a very special person and an incredibly gifted actor.” Viola Davis posted a poignant tribute, stating, “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.”

Jeremy O. Harris tweeted, “RIP to one of America’s most graceful, elegant and fiercely talented muses Diane Keaton who maintained a sense of self throughout her many roles.” Filmmaker Joe Russo shared, “Whether it’s ANNIE HALL or SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE, we’ll always remember when we fell in love with Diane Keaton. RIP to an icon.” Matthew Modine, reflecting on their time during “Mrs. Soffel,” described her as a person who “defies all definition,” a “mystery” with a “gorgeous smile, razor sharp wit and infectious laugh.” Melissa Rivers praised Keaton’s limitless talent, from dramatic roles like Kay Corleone to her hilariously offbeat portrayal of Annie Hall. Diane Keaton’s indelible impact on cinema, her singular style, and her unwavering authenticity ensure her legacy will continue to shine brightly, inspiring future generations.