Oscar-Winning Actress Diane Keaton Dies Peacefully at 79

• Oct 12, 2025

Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton, known for her wit, charm, and unforgettable performances across five decades, has died at the age of 79. The acclaimed actress passed away in California on Saturday, her family confirmed to People magazine, which first reported the news.

Born in Los Angeles, Keaton rose to fame in the 1970s through her role as Kay Adams-Corleone in The Godfather films. She became one of Hollywood’s most admired and enduring performers, celebrated for her unique acting style and distinctive fashion sense — often marked by tailored menswear and wide-brimmed hats.

Keaton’s career reached new heights with Annie Hall (1977), a romantic comedy directed by Woody Allen. Her performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1978, along with a Golden Globe and a BAFTA. The role cemented her reputation as one of cinema’s most versatile and original leading ladies.

Throughout her long career, Keaton starred in numerous hit films, including Father of the Bride, The First Wives Club, The Family Stone, Because I Said So, and Something’s Gotta Give. She also appeared in several Woody Allen classics such as Play It Again, Sam, Sleeper, Love and Death, and Manhattan.

Keaton made her film debut in the 1970 romantic comedy Lovers and Other Strangers. Her final screen appearance was in the 2024 comedy Summer Camp, alongside Eugene Levy and Kathy Bates.

In addition to acting, Keaton directed several projects, including the 1987 documentary Heaven and the 1995 feature Unstrung Heroes, which was selected for screening at the Cannes Film Festival. Her last directorial work, Hanging Up (2000), saw her starring alongside Meg Ryan and Lisa Kudrow.

Tributes poured in from Hollywood after news of her death. Bette Midler described Keaton as “brilliant, beautiful, and completely original,” while Goldie Hawn called her a “trail of fairy dust” filled with light and unforgettable memories. Steve Martin remembered her humor, sharing a lighthearted moment from their Father of the Bride days, and Ben Stiller hailed her as “one of the greatest film actors ever.”

Keaton, who never married, was a devoted mother to her two adopted children, Dexter and Duke. In her 2011 autobiography Then Again, she reflected on her life, writing: “I am totally content whenever the ones I love are happy… I just don’t think anyone could possibly have the same wonderful, intense, compelling feelings that I have for this family of mine.”