ACTRESS Diane Keaton has died at the age of 79, a family spokesperson has confirmed.
She is best known for her roles in classic movies The Godfather, Manhattan and Annie Hall for which she won the Oscar for Best Actress in 1978.
A spokesperson on behalf of the Keaton family confirmed to PEOPLE that she died in California and that no further details are currently available.
Her family are asking for privacy at this time.
In a statement, they said: “There are no further details at this time, and her family are has asked for privacy in this moment of great sadness.”
She is survived by her two children Dexter, 29, and Duke Keaton, 25.
The actress’s lengthy career began on stage in the 1960s when she starred in the 1968 Broadway production of Hair.
In 2017, Keaton told People Magazine that she struggled with bulimia during this time, after the director told her she needed to lose weight.
She also overcame skin cancer aged just 21 after she was diagnosed with basal-cell carcinoma – the most common type of cancer.
The young star fought off the disease but again suffered with another form of cancer later in life in 2011.
However, not long after her Broadway debut she catapulted to fame, bagging numerous accolades along the way.
Just a year after Hair, Keaton was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role in Woody Allen’s Play It Again, Sam.
In 1970 she broke into film with a role in Lovers and Other Strangers followed by a starring role in The Godfather, acting alongside Al Pacino.
It would be a role she would return to for both sequels in 1974 and 1990.
Stars pay tribute to screen icon
By Harvey Geh
Fellow Hollywood giants and showbiz pals took to social media to pay their respects to the Oscar-winning star.
Acting giant Ben Stiller said of the late actress: “Diane Keaton. One of the greatest film actors ever.
“An icon of style, humor and comedy. Brilliant. What a person.”
The First Wives Club co-star Bette Midler said: “The brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary Diane Keaton has died.
“I cannot tell you how unbearably sad this makes me.”
Fellow actress at Book Club co-star Mary Steenburge said: “Diane was magic.
“There was no one, nor will there ever be, anyone like her. I loved her and felt blessed to be her friend.
“My love to her family. What a wonder she was!!!”
Film director Paul Feig said: “I was so honored to call Diane Keaton a friend.
“She was an amazingly kind and creative person who also just happened to be a Hollywood legend.
“She has been taken from us far too soon. We will miss you, Diane.”
By 1977 she bagged an Academy Award for Best Actress in Woody Allen’s rom-com Annie Hall.
Many speculated that the movie was in fact based on the pair’s real-life relationship.
Keaton told The New York Times in 1977: “It’s not true, but there are elements of truth to it.”
She continued to collaborate with Allen throughout her career.
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The actress was born in Los Angeles in 1946 as Diane Hall.
She was the eldest of four children and her father worked as an engineer, while her mother stayed at home to look after the family.
During her legendary career, Keaton also won a BAFTA and two Golden Globes.
She was also nominated for two Emmys.
But despite her success, Keaton refused to watch her performances back telling PEOPLE in 1975, “I just don’t like the way I look and sound.”
This self-consciousness also played out on the set of The First Wives Club in which she starred alongside Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler.
In 2023, Keaton told The Hollywood Reporter how she was “always kind of anxious and a little worried” while filming the 1996 comedy where she sang and danced alongside two “really amazing actresses”.
Her last movie was the 2023 film Book Club: The Next Chapter.
More to follow…
Diane’s final post
By Hana Carter
Diane Keaton’s devastated fans flocked to her final Instagram post hours after news of the star’s death.
The actress had shared a selection of heartwarming photos of her beloved dog Reggie.
In the collaborative post with Hudson Grace, she celebrated National Pet Day back in April this year.
In one of the photos, she knelt on the floor beside her pup and pointed at a bag of dog biscuits.
Shaken by the passing of the Hollywood icon, Diane’s followers paid tribute.
“A true legend. Thank you for your talent, your animal advocacy, your immeasurable charm. You will be missed,” one wrote.
“Lost one of the greatest actors and lights of this world today,” another said.
A third wrote: “I wasn’t ready for this forever lively legend to be gone so soon.”
