Diane Keaton in “Play It Again, Sam”
Photo: Friedman-Abeles (NYPL)
Oscar winner and Tony nominee Diane Keaton has died at the age of 79. People first reported the news on Saturday, October 11. A family member confirmed to The Associated Press on Sunday that Keaton passed away in California in the company of her loved ones. A cause of death has not been disclosed.
Before Keaton made a name for herself in Hollywood as a quirky comedienne with serious dramatic acting chops, she got her start in the theater. She dropped out of college and moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting. Born Diane Hall, she used her mother’s maiden name—Keaton—when joining the Actors’ Equity Association, as there was already an actress registered under the name Diane Hall. Keaton went on to study at the Neighborhood Playhouse before making her Broadway debut in 1968 as a member of the original company of Hair. Understudying the role of Sheila, three months into the production’s run Keaton took over the role full-time. Keaton famously refused to perform fully nude at the end of the first act, when the entire cast disrobed onstage. She was one of the only performers in the show’s history to opt out, though nudity was officially optional.
After nine months in Hair, Keaton left in 1969 to join Woody Allen’s Broadway play Play It Again, Sam at the Broadhurst Theatre. Though she earned a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance as Linda Christie, it would be Keaton’s second and final Broadway bow.
She and Allen went on to work together on eight films between 1971 and 1993. In addition to reprising her role in the 1972 film adaption of Play It Again, Sam, other notable collaborations between the two included the 1975 satirical film Love and Death, the 1978 drama Interiors with Mary Beth Hurt and Kristin Griffith and the romantic comedy-drama Manhattan—in which the pair played lovers.
Keaton won an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1977 for playing the title role in Allen’s romantic comedy Annie Hall. The role also won her a BAFTA and a Golden Globe. She was nominated for three more Oscars over the years: In 1981 for portraying activist Louise Bryant in the historical film Reds alongside Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson; for the 1996 drama Marvin’s Room, based on Scott McPherson’s play of the same name; and in 2003 for Something’s Gotta Give. Keaton won a Golden Globe for the latter, as well as receiving two Emmy Award nominations and four Screen Actors Guild Award nominations in her lifetime.
Her first onscreen role was a small part in the 1970 film Lovers and Other Strangers. Keaton gained prominence in 1972 for playing Kay Adams Corleone in The Godfather (wife to Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone), and later reprised the role in Parts II and III of the trilogy. Keaton played many other notable roles: Theresa Dunn in the drama Looking for Mr. Goodbar, Anne in The First Wives Club—also starring Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn—and Nina Banks opposite Steve Martin’s George Banks in the Father of the Bride movies. She starred in the 2005 comedy-drama The Family Stone with Sarah Jessica Parker and Rachel McAdams and 2018’s Book Club alongside Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen.
Beyond her obvious talent, Keaton’s endearing—and at times unconventional—qualities cemented her celebrity status. Her unique charm and wry sense of humor shone both onscreen and off. Keaton was also a style icon; her signature look consisted of a bowler hat, tinted glasses and chic black-and-white, often oversized clothing. She had a penchant for turtlenecks, belts and menswear-inspired pantsuits.
Though she never married, Keaton was romantically involved with Allen, Beatty and Pacino during different periods in her life. She is survived by her two children, daughter Dexter and son Duke—both of whom she adopted in her 50s.
