Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning actress best known for her iconic roles in films such as Annie Hall, The Godfather, and The First Wives Club, has died at the age of 79 in California, as confirmed by her family and representatives on October 11, 2025.
Born Diane Hall on January 5, 1946, in Los Angeles, Keaton began her professional journey on the stage, rising to prominence with the original 1968 Broadway cast of the groundbreaking musical Hair. She soon garnered a Tony Award nomination for her work in Woody Allen's play Play It Again, Sam. Her screen debut followed with the film Lovers and Other Strangers (1970), launching a dazzling film career that would span more than five decades.
Keaton's major breakthrough came when Francis Ford Coppola cast her as Kay Adams in The Godfather (1972), a role she revisited in its two sequels. Her collaboration with Woody Allen began a series of memorable performances, most notably as the title character in Annie Hall (1977), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Known for her unique comic timing, warmth, and offbeat charisma, Keaton's career continued with standout roles in Reds (1981), Something's Gotta Give, and the Book Club films.
Besides her Academy Award, Keaton also received a BAFTA Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and multiple nominations for Emmy and Tony Awards. She was a fashion icon whose menswear-inspired style became her signature, and she inspired generations of actors and audiences alike.
Beyond acting, Keaton was a noted photographer, producer, director, and author of several memoirs. Her openness, wit, and warmth — along with her distinctive approach to both life and art — cemented her as one of Hollywood’s most beloved figures.
Never married, she is survived by her two children by adoption -- daughter Dexter and son Duke -- as well as her extended family, who have asked for privacy during this time of mourning. ~Alexandra Heilbron