Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton has died at the age of 79.
Born in Los Angeles, Keaton became one of Hollywood’s most admired performers, celebrated for her charm, wit, and distinct sense of style. She gained worldwide recognition in the 1970s after starring as Kay Adams-Corleone in The Godfather films, a role that established her as a major force in cinema.
Her career soared even higher with Annie Hall (1977), directed by Woody Allen, which earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, along with Golden Globe and BAFTA honors. The film became a cultural touchstone and showcased Keaton’s natural comedic timing and emotional depth.
Throughout her five-decade career, Keaton appeared in several beloved films, including Father of the Bride, The First Wives Club, The Family Stone, Something’s Gotta Give, Marvin’s Room, and Reds. She received three additional Oscar nominations for her performances in Reds, Marvin’s Room, and Something’s Gotta Give.
Producer and close friend Dori Rath confirmed her passing to CBS News.
In addition to acting, Keaton was an accomplished director. She made her directorial debut with the 1987 documentary Heaven, exploring people’s beliefs about the afterlife. Her 1995 feature film Unstrung Heroes was selected for the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard category, and she later directed Hanging Up (2000), in which she also starred alongside Meg Ryan and Lisa Kudrow.
Her most recent screen appearance was in the 2024 comedy Summer Camp, alongside Eugene Levy and Kathy Bates.
Keaton was equally admired for her unconventional fashion sense—often wearing menswear-inspired suits and her signature wide-brimmed hats—which made her a timeless style icon.
Tributes from Hollywood colleagues have poured in. Steve Martin, her Father of the Bride co-star, shared a lighthearted memory of her, writing: “Don’t know who first posted this, but it sums up our delightful relationship with Diane.” Actor Ben Stiller also honored her on X, calling her “one of the greatest film actors ever. An icon of style, humor, and comedy. Brilliant. What a person.”
Keaton never married but adopted two children, Dexter and Duke, who were the center of her life. In her 2011 autobiography Then Again, she reflected on her happiness, writing, “I am totally content whenever the ones I love are happy about something little, big, insignificant, whatever. I just don’t think anyone could possibly have the same wonderful, intense, compelling feelings that I have for this family of mine.”
