Hollywood stars paid heartfelt tributes on Saturday to legendary actor Diane Keaton, who passed away at 79, celebrating her as a creative force, a genuine soul, and a timeless icon whose warmth transcended the screen.
Ben Stiller remembered her as “an icon of style, humour and comedy,” while filmmaker Paul Feig described her as “an amazingly kind and creative person who also just happened to be a Hollywood legend.”
Bette Midler, who shared the screen with Diane Keaton in The First Wives Club, hailed her long-time friend as “brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary.” In a moving Instagram post, she added, “She was hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star.”
Composer Marc Shaiman also took to social media to honour the late star, calling Diane Keaton “a true original” and “an irreplaceable light.” Kimberly Williams-Paisley, who played Keaton’s onscreen daughter in Father of the Bride, shared a nostalgic photo from the film, writing that working with her “will always be one of the highlights of my life.”
Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio, who shared the screen with Diane Keaton in Marvin’s Room when he was just 18, remembered her as “a legend, an icon, and a truly kind human being.”
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which honoured Keaton with an Oscar for her breakout performance opposite Woody Allen in Annie Hall (1977), paid tribute to her on X, writing that she “embodied the contradictions of being human: funny and fragile, bright and bruised, always achingly honest.”
The post added, “Her spirit will live forever on screen, and in the hearts of all who saw themselves in her.” Keaton was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar four times over the course of her celebrated career, including for her unforgettable turn in Annie Hall.
British television host Piers Morgan, known for his blunt opinions, praised Keaton as one of “Hollywood's greatest actresses”.
Diane Keaton, who was known for her performances as Kay Adams in The Godfather trilogy, the titular character in Annie Hall, and Bessie in Marvin's Room, passed away on Saturday. People magazine broke the news after a spokesperson revealed the news to them. The reason for her passing hasn't been revealed.
Across the industry, Keaton’s colleagues reflected not only on her remarkable versatility — from drama to romantic comedy — but also on her warmth, generosity, and authenticity. Her passing leaves behind a void in Hollywood, but her legacy as one of cinema’s most original and beloved performers endures.