Emmanuel Thomas l Saturday, October 11, 2025
HOLLYWOOD is in mourning tonight after quirky cinema icon DIANE KEATON, the Oscar-winning star of Annie Hall and The Godfather, passed away at the age of 79.
The much-loved actress, known for her unique and androgynous fashion sense and her signature “la-dee-da” delivery, died today in California.
Keaton shot to global fame for her unforgettable role as the flighty, free-spirited love interest of Woody Allen’s character in the 1977 romantic comedy Annie Hall.
The role, which was reportedly inspired by Keaton’s own personality and style, earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Godfather Tragedy
But long before she was the patron saint of corduroy and bowler hats, Keaton had a major part in one of the most celebrated film trilogies of all time.
She played Kay Adams, the wife of Al Pacino’s character Michael Corleone, in Francis Ford Coppola’s dark mafia epic, The Godfather (1972) and its sequels. Her performance was a heartbreaking portrait of a woman slowly coming to terms with the brutal reality of her husband’s life.
Keaton’s decades-long career saw her become one of Hollywood’s most versatile leading ladies, equally at home in drama and comedy.
She received three more Oscar nominations for the political drama Reds (1981), family saga Marvin’s Room (1996), and the much-loved romantic comedy Something’s Gotta Give (2003) alongside Jack Nicholson.
Millions of fans also adored her in the smash-hit comedy The First Wives Club (1996) and the tear-jerking family favourite Father of the Bride (1991).
Born Diane Hall in Los Angeles in 1946, she adopted her mother’s maiden name of Keaton to avoid confusion with another actress.
Her early career saw her star in the original Broadway production of Hair before beginning her famous professional and romantic relationship with director Woody Allen.
Though she never married, Keaton also had high-profile romances with her leading men Al Pacino and Warren Beatty.
She leaves behind two adopted children, daughter Dexter and son Duke.
A true Hollywood original, Diane Keaton’s passing is a sad day for cinema fans across the world.
