On Saturday, People confirmed that celebrated actress Diane Keaton had died. Details of her passing are still limited by time of writing, and the outlet further writes that Keaton’s family has asked for privacy at this time. These details come from a spokesperson for the family.

Diane Keaton became a defining presence in Hollywood, propelled to fame thanks to her Oscar-winning performance in Annie Hall (1977), where her naturalistic style and quirky charm helped redefine romantic comedy. She collaborated repeatedly with Woody Allen throughout the 1970s and 1980s in films like Manhattan and Love and Death, and later earned acclaim for roles in The Godfather trilogy, Reds, Father of the Bride, and Something’s Gotta Give. Over a six-decade career, she became as well known for her bold fashion sense and fearless approach to character work as for her wide range, including comedy and drama, and remained a benchmark for actresses navigating longevity in Hollywood.

Diane Keaton rises to the top

First Wives Club / Everett Collection

Diane Keaton was born on January 5, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, and studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City after briefly attending Santa Ana College. She began her career on stage, gaining early attention in 1968 when she joined the original Broadway cast of Hair. Two years later, she earned a Tony nomination for her role in Woody Allen’s play Play It Again, Sam, a collaboration that would launch her film career. Her distinct mix of comedic timing, honesty, and unconventional charm quickly set her apart from other young actresses in the early 1970s.

Keaton transitioned to film with her screen debut in Lovers and Other Strangers (1970) and soon gained critical attention for her role in The Godfather (1972) as Kay Adams, establishing her as a serious dramatic actress. Her ongoing collaborations with Woody Allen, culminating in Annie Hall (1977), made her one of Hollywood’s most in-demand leading women. By the end of the decade, she had proven her range in both comedy and drama, balancing major studio films with more introspective projects that reflected her interest in complex, independent female characters.

Talent and accolades across the decades

Diane Keaton / Wikimedia Commons

In her later years, Diane Keaton continued to act in films that often reflected her age and experience, such as Poms (2019), in which she played one of a group of older women forming a cheer squad, and Summer Camp (2024), among her final screen credits. She also produced and occasionally appeared in smaller independent films and remained selective in her projects, favoring roles that suited her distinguished screen presence.

Outside of acting, Keaton pursued interests in writing, photography, design, and homemaking. She published the memoir Then Again, revealing personal struggles and family stories, and launched her own line of home textiles. She also became known for her distinctive personal style, collecting mid-century furniture and designing her living spaces with the same sense of character that defined her film roles.

8 June 2017 – Los Angeles, California – Diane Keaton. 2017 AFI Life Achievement Award Gala Honoring Diane Keaton held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Photo Credit: AdMedia