By Brinda Patel
Staff Writer
Beloved Hollywood actress and Academy Award winner Diane Keaton died on Oct. 11 at the age of 79. Her cause of death has not been confirmed. However, she was taken away by an ambulance after a dispatch call to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
“There are no further details available at this time, and her family has asked for privacy in this moment of great sadness,” a spokesperson for Keaton said.
Keaton was born in Los Angeles, Calif. and grew up in Southern California. Years later, she moved to New York to study acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse. She resided in Brentwood, Calif. for many years. In March, she put her “dream home” on sale for $29 million as her health began to decline suddenly.
She is survived by her two children, daughter Dexter and son Duke, both of whom she adopted in her 50s.
Her passing was confirmed by film producer Dori Rath, who produced some of Keaton’s recent films.
She was known for films including “Annie Hall,” “The Godfather” trilogy, “Father of the Bride,” “Something’s Gotta Give” and “First Wives Club.” Her role in “Annie Hall” earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1978.
Keaton also directed, known for films such as “Unstrung Heroes” and “Marvin’s Room.” In 2016, she voiced Dory’s mom in “Finding Dory.”
She was also known for her trademark style, which included a turtleneck, suit, hat and glasses, according to People. In an email to the magazine, she describes her style as “simple yet chic.”
However, she spoke to the Los Angeles Times in 2019 about how she wore turtlenecks and hats due to health reasons and to protect her from the sun after being diagnosed with “many skin cancers,” including squamous cell cancer, during her lifetime.
Keaton’s hobbies included renovating real estate, writing, photography and music.
Since her passing, many Hollywood celebrities, including Jack Nicholson, Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, Kerry Washington, Martin Short, Steve Martin and Reese Witherspoon, have paid tribute to Keaton and her legacy.
Filmmaker and longtime friend, Nancy Meyers, said the news of her passing has “not been easy” and she has “lost a friend of almost 40 years.” Meyers and Keaton worked together in films “Baby Boom,” “Father of the Bride,” “Father of the Bride Part II” and “Something’s Gotta Give,” spanning their collaboration from 1991 to 2003.
Actor Ed Begley Jr. told People that the last time he saw the actress was at a birthday party for Nicholson this past April.
“...She was a wonderful actress, a wonderful lady… So I’m glad I knew her these many years,” Begley Jr. said.
