Hollywood legend Diane Keaton dies at 79
What's the story
Diane Keaton, the iconic Hollywood actor known for her roles in The Godfather and Annie Hall, has died at the age of 79. Her family confirmed the news to PEOPLE. Her family has asked for privacy while they mourn her loss. The cause of death has not been disclosed yet. May she rest in peace.
Early journey
Early life and struggles
Born in Los Angeles in 1946 as Diane Hall, Keaton was the eldest of four siblings.Her father was a civil engineer, while her mother was a homemaker. In an interview with PEOPLE in 2004, Keaton said her mother "probably wanted to be an entertainer of some kind." After high school, she pursued drama but soon dropped out to move to New York City for theater opportunities.
Broadway journey
Career beginnings and challenges
Keaton's professional name was inspired by her mother's maiden name, Keaton, as there was already a Diane Hall registered with Actors' Equity. She was cast as an understudy in Broadway's Hair in 1968 but struggled with bulimia during this time, a condition she described as a "mental illness" related to an "overabundant need for more." Despite these challenges, she eventually recovered through therapy.
Film breakthrough
Breakthrough roles in 'The Godfather' and 'Annie Hall'
Keaton's big break came when director Francis Ford Coppola cast her as Kay Adams in The Godfather (1972). Despite not reading the book before auditioning, she was cast and went on to reprise her role in The Godfather Part II (1974) and The Godfather Part III (1990). She also starred in Woody Allen's Annie Hall (1977), for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress.
Director partnerships
Collaborations with Nancy Meyers and Allen
Keaton worked with director Nancy Meyers on films like Baby Boom (1987), Father of the Bride (1991), Father of the Bride Part II (1995), and Something's Gotta Give (2003). She also collaborated with Allen on films such as Sleeper (1973) and Love and Death (1975). She was also lauded for her dedicated animal welfare campaigns and historic preservation efforts. Her memoir, titled Then Again, was published in 2011.
Later years
Later career highlights and personal life
Keaton continued to act in films like The First Wives Club (1996), The Family Stone (2005), Because I Said So (2007), Finding Dory (2016), Book Club (2018) and its sequel. Keaton never married but had two children, Dexter and Duke, whom she adopted in 1996 and 2001, respectively. Her last Instagram post was in April, when she shared adorable photos of her dog.