Family confirms Diane Keaton died of pneumonia, aged 79, after a sudden health decline
The family of Diane Keaton, one of Hollywood’s most distinctive and beloved actors, has revealed that the Oscar-winning star died of pneumonia on 11 October at the age of 79.
In a statement shared with People magazine, the Keaton family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of affection that has followed her passing. “The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11,” the statement read.
They also encouraged fans wishing to honour her memory to support causes close to her heart. “She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her,” the family added.
Keaton, who died in California, had remained largely out of the public eye in recent months, with no public announcement of illness. Her death was met with shock across Hollywood and beyond. According to reports, her health had declined “very suddenly” and even many of her closest friends were unaware of how serious her condition had become.
A multi-generational icon whose career spanned more than half a century, Keaton’s name became synonymous with intelligence, wit, and effortless eccentricity. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1978 for her performance in Annie Hall — Woody Allen’s romantic comedy partly based on her own personality — a role that cemented her as a defining figure of 1970s cinema.
Her long and varied filmography reads like a history of modern Hollywood: The Godfather and its sequels, Reds, Marvin’s Room, Father of the Bride, The First Wives Club, and Something’s Gotta Give. Her performances blended vulnerability with a uniquely offbeat charm, earning her critical acclaim and adoration from audiences across the world.
Keaton’s influence extended far beyond the screen. Her instantly recognisable fashion sense — tailored suits, wide-brimmed hats, and androgynous flair — redefined red carpet style and inspired countless designers. In interviews, she often downplayed her celebrity, insisting that her work was driven by curiosity and the desire to tell stories about human imperfection.
Tributes poured in from across the entertainment world. Her Annie Hall co-star and former partner Woody Allen said he was “devastated” by her death, describing her as “a one-of-a-kind talent — funny, fearless, and full of heart.” Jane Fonda, who starred alongside Keaton in Book Club, praised her as “the kind of woman who never pretended to be anything other than herself.”
Meryl Streep, who appeared with Keaton in Marvin’s Room, called her “a beacon of authenticity in a town full of imitation,” while Robert De Niro described her as “a rare artist who could make you laugh and break your heart in the same scene.” Keanu Reeves and Leonardo DiCaprio also paid tribute, calling her “a light” and “an inspiration to generations of actors.”
Though she never married, Keaton found her greatest joy in motherhood. She adopted her daughter, Dexter, in 1996 and her son, Duke, in 2001. Speaking about parenthood in later interviews, she described it as transformative: “Motherhood has completely changed me. It’s just about like the most completely humbling experience that I’ve ever had.”
Keaton is also survived by her two younger sisters, Dorrie and Robin, who were often seen at her side during awards ceremonies and public events.
In a film career defined by independence and integrity, Diane Keaton remained an enduring symbol of individuality — an actor who made vulnerability magnetic and humour profound. Her family’s words perhaps capture her spirit best: a woman of warmth, compassion, and conviction, who made the world brighter simply by being herself.