Diane Keaton, whose lengthy career in Hollywood included roles in “The First Wives Club,” “Annie Hall” and “The Godfather,” has died. She was 79.
The news was first reported by People. The outlet also noted Keaton died at her home in California, and her family has requested privacy at this time.
Keaton’s career began when she was cast in the original Broadway production of “Hair,” but her breakthrough came in 1972 when she joined the cast of “The Godfather” as Kay Adams-Corleone. In a 2023 “ask me anything” session on his Instagram Stories, director Francis Ford Coppola told the actress why he cast her in the role: “I chose you, because although you were to play the more straight/vanilla wife, there was something more about you. Deeper, funnier and very interesting (I was right).”
Though “Hair” provided Keaton with professional opportunities, in 2017 she admitted that a director of the show told her to lose weight, which spurred a struggle with bulimia. “Believe me, it had to do with an overabundant need for more. Too much. It was a mental illness,” she told People at the time.
She began a strong professional relationship with Woody Allen during the same decade, and won an Oscar for her portrayal of the titular Annie Hall in Allen’s 1977 film. Keaton and Allen also dated, but their working relationship outlasted their romantic partnership. (In 2018 Keaton briefly commented on the allegations against Allen via Twitter: “Woody Allen is my friend and I continue to believe him.”)
The pair collaborated on a number of films including “Manhattan,” “Play It Again, Sam,” “Manhattan Murder Mystery,” “Radio Days,” “Love and Death,” “Interiors” and “Sleeper.”
Along with her 1977 Academy Award win, Keaton was nominated for three additional Oscars: one for her role in 1981’s “Reds,” another for 1996’s “Marvin’s Room” opposite Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio, and a third for 2003’s “Something’s Gotta Give” opposite Jack Nicholson. She was also praised for her work in 1984’s “Mrs. Soffel” and 1986’s “Crimes of the Heart.”
Keaton returned to her “Godfather” role in “The Godfather: Part II” and “The Godfather: Part III,” starring alongside her sometimes romantic partner Al Pacino. Keaton experienced a boost to her comedic prowess when she joined the cast of “Father of the Bride” and its sequel; she also delighted audiences alongside Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler in “The First Wives Club.”
In a 2021 interview with Interview Magazine, Keaton said her favorite scene from the latter film was when the trio sang “You Don’t Own Me” — which she described as “so fun.”
She was born Diane Hall was born in Los Angeles on Jan. 5, 1946, and was the oldest of four children. She was active in theater in high school and graduated in 1964.
She is survived by her children, Dexter and Duke Keaton.
