On Wednesday, Diane Keaton's family unveiled the cause of the late actress's passing. "The Keaton family is profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love and unwavering support they've received in recent days in honor of their cherished Diane, who succumbed to pneumonia on October 11," the family conveyed in a statement to People magazine. They further added, "She held a deep affection for her animals and was unwavering in her commitment to aiding the unhoused community. Therefore, any donations made in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would serve as a beautiful and deeply appreciated tribute to her legacy."
The 79-year-old's illustrious acting career spanned over six decades, encompassing film, television, and theater. She was the proud recipient of an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a BAFTA Award. Keaton became a household name for her iconic roles in blockbusters such as "The Godfather," "Annie Hall," "The First Wives Club," and "Father of the Bride."
Born in Los Angeles in 1946, Keaton embarked on her acting journey after graduating from Santa Ana College. She then relocated to New York City, where she landed a role in the Broadway musical "Hair" in 1968. The actress made her silver-screen debut in the 1970s film "Lovers and Other Strangers." She later reprised her role as Linda in the 1972 film adaptation of "Play It Again, Sam," having originally portrayed the character on Broadway. This film, which also starred Woody Allen, marked the inception of their long-standing cinematic collaboration.
Keaton achieved a career-defining moment in 1972 when she starred as Kay Adams Corleone, the wife of Al Pacino's Michael Corleone, in Francis Ford Coppola's legendary "The Godfather." She reprised this role in the film's sequels, the Academy Award-winning "The Godfather Part II" in 1974 and "The Godfather Part III" in the 1990s. Her portrayal of Annie Hall alongside Allen in the 1977 film earned her an Academy Award.
She also garnered Oscar nominations for her performances in "Reds" (1981), "Marvin's Room" (1996), and "Something's Gotta Give" (2003), where she starred opposite Jack Nicholson.
A source close to the family told People that Keaton's health "deteriorated very abruptly, which was heart-wrenching for everyone who loved her," adding that her death "came as such a shock, especially for someone who possessed such immense strength and spirit." The source continued, "In her final months, she was enveloped by the love of her closest family members, who chose to keep matters private. Even longtime friends were not fully aware of the gravity of the situation."
