Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton has died at the age of 79.
Born in Los Angeles, Keaton became a cinematic icon in the 1970s with her breakout role as Kay Adams-Corleone in The Godfather films.
But it was Annie Hall that immortalised her , earning her the 1978 Academy Award for Best Actress, along with Golden Globe and BAFTA honours, and redefining modern romantic comedy through her quirky yet relatable performance.
Over five decades, Keaton built an extraordinary body of work that spanned generations. From Father of the Bride and First Wives Club to Something’s Gotta Give and The Family Stone, she embodied every role with sincerity and humour.
She also directed several films, including the 1987 documentary Heaven and the Cannes-featured Unstrung Heroes.
Her final film, Summer Camp (2024), paired her with Eugene Levy and Kathy Bates in a lighthearted comedy that celebrated friendship and aging with grace.
Beyond her acting, Keaton’s signature style, her tailored menswear and iconic wide-brimmed hats — became part of her identity, inspiring fashion and film alike.
Tributes have poured in since news of her passing in California. Bette Midler described her as “brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary,” while Goldie Hawn wrote, “You never liked praise, so humble… There was, and will be, no one like you.” Steve Martin called her “delightful,” and Ben Stiller hailed her as “one of the greatest film actors ever.”
Keaton never married but was a devoted mother to her two adopted children, Dexter and Duke.
In her memoir Then Again, she wrote; “I am totally content whenever the ones I love are happy… I just don’t think anyone could possibly have the same wonderful, intense, compelling feelings that I have for this family of mine.”
