Los Angeles, 12 Oct

Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning star of ‘Annie Hall’, ‘The Godfather’ films, and ‘Father of the Bride’, whose quirky charm and depth made her one of the most singular actors of a generation, has died at 79, People Magazine reported. She passed away in California with loved ones, according to a family spokesperson.

Keaton’s career spanned decades, with iconic performances that defined films such as ‘Annie Hall’, where her eccentric, self-deprecating character became legendary, and ‘The Godfather’, where she portrayed Kay Adams, navigating the Corleone family’s dark world. Her roles in ‘Baby Boom’, ‘Father of the Bride’, ‘The First Wives Club’, and ‘Something's Gotta Give’ showcased her versatility and enduring appeal.

She won her first Oscar for ‘Annie Hall’ and earned three more nominations for ‘Reds’, ‘Marvin's Room’, and ‘Something's Gotta Give’. Keaton also worked in regional and independent cinema, striking a balance between mainstream success and artistic exploration.

Born Diane Hall in January 1946 in Los Angeles, she adopted her mother’s maiden name, Keaton, after moving to New York to pursue theatre. She studied under Sanford Meisner, crediting him with helping her explore complex human behaviour safely, which shaped her nuanced performances.

Her Broadway beginnings included understudy roles in ‘Hair’ and Woody Allen’s ‘Play It Again, Sam’, earning a Tony nomination. Keaton’s film debut came with ‘Lovers and Other Strangers’ (1970), but she rose to fame with ‘The Godfather’. She later embraced comedy and drama in Woody Allen films, including ‘Sleeper’, ‘Love and Death’, ‘Interiors’, and ‘Manhattan’.

‘Annie Hall’ (1977), directed by Allen and written with Marshall Brickman, cemented her stardom, blending wit, romance, and pathos. Her collaborations with Allen were both professional and personal, dating from around 1968 to 1974. She was also linked to Al Pacino and Warren Beatty but never married, later adopting two children, Dexter and Duke.

Keaton’s partnership with director Nancy Meyers produced beloved films such as ‘Baby Boom’, the remake of ‘Father of the Bride’, and ‘Something's Gotta Give’, blending comedy, romance, and her signature charm. She continued acting in the 2000s with notable roles in ‘The Family Stone’, ‘Morning Glory’, and the ‘Book Club’ films.

Beyond acting, Keaton authored memoirs, including ‘Then Again’ and ‘Let's Just Say It Wasn't Pretty’, and an art and design book, ‘The House that Pinterest Built’. She was honoured with the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2017 and celebrated with a hand and footprint ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre in 2022.

Reflecting on her career, Keaton said, “I don’t think about my film legacy. I’m just lucky to have been here at all in any way, shape or form.” Her enduring influence and unique screen presence made her a cinematic legend.