by Abb Jones
The Reelness

Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton has died at the age of 79. A family spokesperson says she died in California and that no other details surrounding her death are available, but her health had reportedly declined rapidly within the past few months. (October 15th update: Keaton’s family has disclosed that she died of pneumonia.

Born on January 5, 1946 in Los Angeles to a real estate broker and a homemaker, Keaton’s acting career first started as a stage actress after dropping out of college and moving to New York City, where acting classes and auditions led to a starring role in the 1968 Broadway production of Hair. The following year Keaton would receive a Tony award nomination for Woody Allen’s Play it Again, Sam.

In addition to their many collaborations, Keaton is also famous for her romantic relationship with Allen, who remained a lifelong friend, as well as relationships with Al Pacino, her co-star in the 1972 blockbuster The Godfather and its two sequels, and Reds co-star Warren Beatty.

Following The Godfather films, Keaton would again collaborate with Allen in the film adaptation of Play it Again, Sam and the comedies Sleeper and Love and Death. Their fourth film collaboration, the 1977 neurotic dramedy Annie Hall, earned Keaton a Best Actress Oscar. Other notable films include the crime drama Looking for Mr. Goodbar and the comedies Crimes of the Heart, Baby Boom, Father of the Bride, The First Wives Club and Something’s Gotta Give. Keaton’s final film role was 2024’s Summer Camp, co-starring Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard and Beverly D’Angelo.

Despite her high-profile romantic relationships, Keaton never married, calling the unhappy old maid myth garbage. Keaton, a vegetarian and conservationist, is survived by her two adopted children, son Duke and daughter Dexter, whom she adopted in her 50s and raised on her own.