SD. Diane Keaton, Famed for Roles in Father of the Bride, First Wives Club and More, Dies at 79 (Exclusive)
Legendary actress Diane Keaton has died at the age of 79. PEOPLE has confirmed that the Oscar-winning star passed away in California on Saturday, October 11.
“There are no further details available at this time, and her family has asked for privacy in this moment of great sadness,” a spokesperson told PEOPLE in a statement.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, emergency responders were dispatched to Keaton’s Los Angeles home at 8:08 a.m. local time. A 79-year-old woman was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
A Storied Career Spanning Five Decades
Born Diane Hall in Los Angeles in 1946, Keaton became one of Hollywood’s most beloved and distinctive actresses — known for her wit, originality, and singular sense of style.
She first rose to fame in the early 1970s through her portrayal of Kay Adams-Corleone in The Godfather films, cementing her place in cinematic history. But it was her performance in Woody Allen’s 1977 classic Annie Hall that made her a household name — and earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Her career flourished across decades, with memorable roles in The First Wives Club, Something’s Gotta Give, Marvin’s Room, and Book Club. Her collaborations with filmmaker Nancy Meyers showcased Keaton’s timeless charm and impeccable comedic timing, inspiring generations of actresses who followed.
Roots, Dreams, and Drive
The oldest of four children, Keaton was raised in a middle-class Los Angeles family. Her father worked as a civil engineer, while her mother stayed home to raise the family — though Keaton always believed her mother longed for the stage.
“Secretly, in her heart of hearts, she probably wanted to be an entertainer,” Keaton told PEOPLE in 2004. “She sang. She played the piano. She was beautiful. She was my advocate.”
After graduating high school in 1964, Keaton studied drama in college but dropped out to chase her dream in New York City. There, she began performing in theater and joined the cast of Broadway’s Hair in 1968, first as an understudy.
She took her mother’s maiden name, Keaton, as her professional name because another actress named Diane Hall was already registered with Actors’ Equity.
Triumphs and Trials
Behind her success, Keaton faced personal struggles. In a 2017 interview with PEOPLE, she opened up about battling bulimia during her early years in New York.
“The director of Hair told me I needed to lose weight,” she said. “But believe me, it had to do with an overabundant need for more. Too much. It was a mental illness.”
Her honesty about mental health, aging, and identity made her one of Hollywood’s most relatable and enduring figures.
A Legacy Beyond Film
Over the years, Keaton became known not only for her acting but also for her unmistakable fashion sense — wide-brimmed hats, crisp suits, and turtlenecks that became her trademark.
She also became a director, author, and advocate for architecture and preservation, transforming her passion for design into celebrated coffee-table books and restoration projects.
In her later years, Keaton often spoke about finding joy in independence and authenticity. “You don’t need to be perfect to be loved,” she once said. “You just have to be real.”
As tributes pour in from across Hollywood and beyond, one truth remains clear: Diane Keaton was not just a movie star — she was a voice, a vision, and an era.
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