Diane Keaton stars as Diane in ‘Book Club: The Next Chapter,’ a Focus Features release.
Diane Keaton, iconic star of ‘Annie Hall’, has passed away at the Age of 79, her family has confirmed.
Best known for her performances in iconic films such as ‘Annie Hall,’‘The Godfather,’ and ‘Something’s Gotta Give,’ Keaton redefined the image of the modern woman in American cinema.
“A nervous romance.”
With her trademark turtlenecks, oversized glasses, and quick wit, Keaton was a singular force in Hollywood — a muse, a mystery, and a mainstay of sophisticated comedy and drama alike.
Related Article: The 25 Best Diane Keaton Movies of All Time
Diane Keaton: Early Life
Diane Keaton in ‘The Godfather’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Born Diane Hall on January 5, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, Keaton grew up fascinated by theater and film. She studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York and began her career on stage — including an early stint in the original Broadway production of ‘Hair’.
Her big break came when she starred as Kay Adams in ‘The Godfather,’ but it was her collaboration with Woody Allen, especially in ‘Annie Hall,’ that cemented her legacy.
Diane Keaton: Movie Star
Diane Keaton in ‘Annie Hall’. Photo: United Artists.
As Annie Hall — a quirky, neurotic, unforgettable heroine — Keaton earned the Academy Award for Best Actress and inadvertently launched a fashion revolution. Her androgynous, vintage-inspired wardrobe became a national phenomenon.
She continued to star in both comedic and dramatic roles across four decades, in films such as ‘Baby Boom,’‘Father of the Bride,’‘Marvin’s Room’ and ‘The First Wives Club’.
Her onscreen presence was marked by intelligence, warmth, and a kind of unselfconscious vulnerability that endeared her to audiences and critics alike.
Diane Keaton: A Private Life in the Public Eye
(L to R) Diane Keaton stars as Diane, Jane Fonda as Vivian, Candice Bergen as Sharon and Mary Steenburgen as Carol in “Book Club: The Next Chapter,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Riccardo Ghilardi / © 2023 Fifth Season, LLC.
Never married, Keaton was famously linked to a string of high-profile partners, including Al Pacino, Warren Beatty, and Allen. Yet she remained fiercely independent, often remarking on her contentment with single life.
In later years, she focused on raising her two adopted children and devoted herself to photography, architecture, and preservation of historic homes in California.
She was also a bestselling author, known for candid memoirs such as “Then Again” and “Let’s Just Say It Wasn’t Pretty.”
Diane Keaton: Legacy
(L to R) Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson in ‘Something’s Gotta Give’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
Keaton is survived by her daughter Dexter, son Duke, and a legacy of cinematic brilliance.
A fashion icon, a trailblazing actress, and a woman who defied Hollywood norms, Keaton will be remembered not just for the roles she played, but for the life she lived with unapologetic individuality.
In every character she portrayed, Keaton brought heart, humor, and a voice uniquely her own.
(L to R) Diane Keaton as Diane, Mary Steenburgen as Carol, Candice Bergen as Sharon, and Jane Fonda as Vivian in ‘Book Club: The Next Chapter,’ a Focus Features release.
Selected Movies Starring Diane Keaton:
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