Hollywood is mourning the passing of the iconic actress Diane Keaton, who died at the age of 79. An Oscar-winner renowned for her work in films spanning over five decades, Keaton left an indelible mark on cinema, particularly in the romantic comedy genre and dramatic roles alike. Her death has prompted a significant outpouring of grief and remembrance from colleagues and the industry at large.

Born Diane Hall on January 5, 1946, in Los Angeles, she adopted her mother’s maiden name, Keaton, for her stage career due to another Diane Hall already being registered with the actors' union. Her passion for acting began in high school, leading her to study drama at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City. Her early career saw her on Broadway in "Hair" before she secured a role in Woody Allen's stage production "Play It Again, Sam." This marked the beginning of a long and highly successful professional, and at one point, romantic, partnership with Allen.

Keaton’s film debut was in the romantic comedy "Lovers and Other Strangers," which caught the attention of director Francis Ford Coppola. This led to her pivotal casting as the reluctant Mafia wife Kay Adams in the critically acclaimed and commercially triumphant "The Godfather." This role proved to be her breakout, and she reprised it in the sequels "The Godfather Part II" (1974) and "The Godfather Part III" (1990).

During the 1970s, Keaton became Woody Allen’s muse, starring in several of his films including "Sleeper," "Love and Death," and "Manhattan." Her career-defining role came in 1977 as the titular character in "Annie Hall," a film widely considered to be an autobiographical portrayal of Allen's relationship with Keaton. The film secured Best Picture at the Oscars, and Keaton earned her first Best Actress Oscar for her charming, bohemian portrayal. Other notable performances during this era included the thriller "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" and the historical drama "Reds," which garnered her another Oscar nomination.

While her career saw a brief slump in the early 1980s, Keaton found renewed success with the romantic comedy "Baby Boom," playing a workaholic yuppie who unexpectedly inherits an infant. Comedy continued to be a strong suit for her into the 1990s, with hits like "Father of the Bride" and "The First Wives Club." She also received another Oscar nomination for her role in the AIDS drama "Marvin's Room." Beyond acting, Keaton ventured behind the camera, making her directorial debut with the documentary "Heaven." She went on to direct features such as "Wildflower," "Unstrung Heroes," and "Hanging Up" (in which she also starred), and notably directed two episodes of the acclaimed television series "Twin Peaks," as well as the music video for Belinda Carlisle's "Heaven is a Place on Earth."

Her fourth and final Oscar nomination came for the hugely successful comedy "Something's Gotta Give," which was both a critical and commercial triumph. This film cemented her status and led to numerous starring roles in comedies during her later years, including "Morning Glory," "Book Club" and its sequel, "Poms," and "Maybe I Do." Her final on-screen appearance was in the 2024 comedy "Summer Camp."

News of Keaton's passing, particularly on Saturday, deeply impacted Hollywood. Tributes have poured in from former co-stars and friends. Bette Midler, who starred with Keaton in "The First Wives Club," expressed profound sadness on Instagram, describing Keaton as "brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary," and "completely without guile." Kimberly Williams-Paisley, who played Keaton's daughter in "Father of the Bride" and "Father of the Bride Part II," shared her gratitude for Keaton's kindness, generosity, talent, and laughter. Director Paul Feig remembered her as an "amazingly kind and creative person" and a "Hollywood legend." Jennifer Tilly, her co-star in "Sister Mary Explains It All," recalled Keaton's warmth, wonderful sense of humor, and unique individuality. The Tribeca Film Festival also released a statement, lamenting the loss of "a singular force whose talent, spirit, and style graced our screens for over five decades." Actress Sharon Lawrence shared a clip from "Reds," calling Keaton "one of a kind" and "a modern icon." Diane Keaton is survived by her two children, and condolences are extended to her family and friends during this time of loss.