Hollywood and the world are mourning the loss of Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton, who passed away at the age of 79 in California on Saturday. Her death, confirmed by producer Dori Rath to CBS News and a family spokesperson to People magazine, prompted an immediate wave of global tributes and reflections from the film and fashion communities, celebrating her legendary career and iconic style.

Born Diane Hall in Los Angeles in 1946, Keaton forged an extraordinary path through theatre and film spanning over five decades. She rose to prominence in the 1970s, notably for her role as Kay Adams-Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's acclaimed The Godfather films. However, it was her collaboration with Woody Allen that cemented her status, particularly in the 1977 romantic comedy Annie Hall, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Her distinctive portrayal in Annie Hall, characterized by quirky charm and depth, became a defining moment in cinema and inspired generations of viewers and creators.

Keaton’s extensive filmography boasts an array of unforgettable performances across various genres. She earned further Oscar nominations for her work in classics like Reds, Something's Gotta Give, and Marvin's Room. Other notable starring roles include Father of the Bride, First Wives Club, The Family Stone, Because I Said So, and And So It Goes. She frequently collaborated with Woody Allen in films such as Play It Again, Sam, Sleeper, Love and Death, and Manhattan. Her film debut was in the 1970 romantic comedy Lovers and Other Strangers, and her most recent appearance was in the 2024 comedy Summer Camp, alongside Eugene Levy and Kathy Bates.

Beyond her celebrated acting career, Keaton was also a talented director, helming the 1987 documentary Heaven, the 1995 comedy-drama Unstrung Heroes (selected for Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard), and the 2000 film Hanging Up, starring herself, Meg Ryan, and Lisa Kudrow. She also directed music videos, released memoirs, and cultivated a beloved presence on social media.

Keaton was equally renowned for her unique, menswear-inspired fashion sense. Her iconic style, featuring vests, trousers, bowler hats, and wide-brimmed hats, transcended film and set global trends, making her a true fashion muse. In her personal life, Keaton never married but adopted two children, a daughter named Dexter and a son named Duke. She openly expressed her joy in living life on her own terms, a sentiment beautifully articulated in her 2011 autobiography, Then Again, where she shared her profound happiness derived from her family.

Her enduring legacy was further cemented with prestigious accolades, including an AFI Life Achievement Award and her handprints permanently displayed outside the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. Tributes poured in from former colleagues and admirers; her First Wives Club co-star Bette Midler hailed her as "brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary... hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile." Actor Ben Stiller praised her as "One of the greatest film actors ever. An icon of style, humor and comedy. Brilliant. What a person." Keaton's advocacy for animal rights also resonated widely, inspiring creatives and humanitarians. Her films sparked conversations about women's empowerment, independence, and artistic innovation, proving her profound and lasting impact on popular culture.