Diane Keaton, the acclaimed actress known for her roles in films such as “First Wives Club” and “Father of the Bride,” passed away at the age of 79 due to pneumonia, her family confirmed on Wednesday. The news of her death, which occurred on Saturday, Oct. 11, was met with an outpouring of love and support from fans and fellow actors alike.
Keaton’s family expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming messages of love and support they have received since her passing. They also shared that Keaton had a deep love for animals and was a staunch advocate for the homeless community. They suggested that donations to local food banks or animal shelters would be a fitting tribute to her memory.
In the wake of her death, a close friend revealed that Keaton’s health had taken a sudden turn for the worse in the final months of her life. The suddenness of her decline was particularly shocking given her renowned strength and spirit. During her last months, Keaton chose to keep her health struggles private, with only her closest family members aware of the severity of her condition.
Carole Bayer Sager, a Grammy and Oscar-winning songwriter and friend of Keaton’s, noted that Keaton had lost a significant amount of weight prior to her death. Another friend, a film executive, remembered Keaton as maintaining her sense of humor until the end, living life on her own terms surrounded by those she loved.
Keaton, whose career spanned over five decades, passed away in California. She had previously battled skin cancer twice and an eating disorder but had not disclosed any recent illnesses. Her last public appearance was six months ago on Instagram, where she shared a photo with her Golden Retriever, Reggie.
Keaton’s death prompted heartfelt tributes from many of her former co-stars, including Steve Martin, Woody Allen, Goldie Hawn, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Keaton, who never married, is survived by her two adopted children, Dexter, 29, and Duke, 25. She had once shared in an interview with Ladies’ Home Journal that motherhood was not an urge she couldn’t resist, but a thought she had been contemplating for a long time.
Keaton’s legacy extends beyond her illustrious acting career. At her Hand & Footprint Ceremony in 2022, she shared that her children had no interest in her profession, which she found to be healthy. She described their life as relatively normal, a testament to her ability to balance her personal life with her professional one.