Beloved Hollywood actress Diane Keaton has died at the age of 79.
People was first to report the news, confirming the movie legend died in California but initially offering no further details surrounding her death and saying that a family spokesperson has asked for privacy.
However, an unnamed friend of Keaton’s later told the outlet that the star’s health had “declined very suddenly” in recent months.
“In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private. Even longtime friends weren’t fully aware of what was happening,” the source told People.
The outlet reports that Keaton did make one move in recent months that surprised those close to her: In March, she listed her home for sale, despite earlier plans to live there permanently.
Keaton’s First Wives Club co-star Bette Midler was among the first celebs to pay tribute, calling the actress “beautiful” and “extraordinary” and telling fans: “I cannot tell you how unbearably sad this makes me.”
“She was hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star,” Midler wrote.
Keaton’s acting career spanned almost 60 years but her Hollywood breakthrough came with a pivotal role in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather in 1972.
She was a frequent collaborator with director Woody Allen, and her star turn in their fourth film together, 1977’s Annie Hall, earned her an Oscar for Best Actress.
Keaton’s film career continued through the decades with smash hits like Father of the Bride, The First Wives Club, Something’s Gotta Give, The Family Stone and Book Club.
The usually prolific actress had appeared to slow down recently – her final film was the comedy Summer Camp, released in May of last year. But later in 2024, she did surprise fans with a new endeavour, releasing her first ever single, a Christmas song complete with a music video.
As well as her Academy Award for Annie Hall, Keaton earned three further Oscar nominations throughout her career: for Reds in 1981, Marvin’s Room in 1996 and the 2003 rom-com smash Something’s Gotta Give.
Keaton’s final social media post, shared in April, gave fans a glimpse of the star as she posed with her dog for National Pet Day.
Fans are now flocking to that post to share their sadness that the Hollywood legend is no longer with us.
“I am shocked and so sad! I can’t believe she’s gone,” reads one top comment under the post.
“Noooooo. This one really hurts. We love you, Diane,” wrote another fan.
Never married, Keaton did have some equally famous romantic partners throughout her life: She dated iconic actor Al Pacino on and off for almost two decades, and also dated collaborator Woody Allen and actor Warren Beatty.
Keaton is survived by the two children she adopted in her 50s, daughter Dexter in 1996 and son Duke in 2001.
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