‘Annie Hall’, ‘The Godfather’ star Diane Keaton dies aged 79

Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning actress celebrated for her roles in Annie Hall, The Godfather series and Father of the Bride, has died aged 79, People magazine reported, citing a family spokesperson. She passed away in California, surrounded by loved ones.

Keaton’s remarkable career spanned more than five decades, defined by her quirky charm, effortless wit and emotional depth. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Annie Hall and earned three further nominations for Reds, Marvin’s Room and Something’s Gotta Give. A defining figure of 1970s American cinema, she became synonymous with Woody Allen’s films, appearing in Sleeper, Manhattan and Interiors.

Born Diane Hall in Los Angeles in 1946, she adopted her mother’s maiden name, Keaton, upon joining Actors’ Equity. After training under Sanford Meisner in New York, she began her career on stage, appearing in Broadway productions such as Hair and Play It Again, Sam. Her breakout came as Kay Adams in The Godfather (1972) and its sequels, which cemented her as one of Hollywood’s most distinctive performers.

Keaton’s idiosyncratic fashion sense—epitomised by Annie Hall’s bowler hats, waistcoats and wide ties—became a cultural phenomenon and continues to influence designers today. Her later collaborations with filmmaker Nancy Meyers in Baby Boom, Father of the Bride and Something’s Gotta Give introduced her to new audiences, showcasing her blend of warmth, humour and emotional nuance.

Though she never married, Keaton adopted two children in her 50s, balancing motherhood with a prolific film career. She also authored several books, including the memoirs Then Again and Let’s Just Say It Wasn’t Pretty, as well as works on architecture and design.

Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment world. Leonardo DiCaprio hailed her as “utterly one of a kind,” while Bette Midler praised her “fearless humour and honesty.”

Diane Keaton leaves behind an enduring legacy—an actress whose intelligence, individuality and humanity helped redefine modern womanhood on screen and made her one of Hollywood’s most beloved icons.