Hollywood mourns the loss of Diane Keaton, the beloved Oscar-winning actress whose death at 79 on October 11 has left fans and colleagues heartbroken.
Newly obtained documents reveal that Keaton had been battling primary bacterial pneumonia for several days before her passing.
Her death certificate, acquired by People, lists no other significant contributing conditions, and she was cremated on October 14.
Family Reflects on Her Life and Passions
Keaton’s family shared a heartfelt statement expressing gratitude for the outpouring of love following her death:
“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.”
They also highlighted her lifelong devotion to animals and the unhoused community, encouraging donations to local food banks or animal shelters in her memory.
Health Decline and Private Final Months
Friends revealed that Keaton’s health had declined over recent months.
A longtime confidante told TMZ that her illness had been ongoing, so her death was “not a shock,” though another source described her final decline as sudden and heartbreaking.
During her last months, Keaton was surrounded by close family, keeping her health struggles largely private from even long-term friends.
911 Call and Hospital Transport
Keaton’s final moments were marked by an early-morning 911 call on Saturday, October 11.
A dispatcher reported a “person down” at her Los Angeles residence around 8 a.m. She was transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance, where she was later pronounced dead.
Friends Recall Her Struggles and Spirit
Songwriter Carole Bayer Sager, a close friend, recalled how thin Keaton had become in her final weeks: “I saw her two or three weeks ago, and she was very thin. She had lost so much weight.”
She also mentioned the actress had been affected by January’s devastating L.A. wildfires, which damaged her Palm Springs home and forced her to relocate temporarily.
Despite these challenges, Sager described Keaton as “a magic light for everyone” and praised her infectious energy.
Al Pacino’s Lifelong Regret
Keaton’s former boyfriend and Godfather co-star, Al Pacino, reportedly harbored a lifelong regret for not marrying her.
A close confidante shared that Pacino always referred to Keaton as “an amazing woman” and admitted he would have loved a second chance.
Their relationship spanned from 1971 to 1987, leaving a lasting bond between the two stars.
Hollywood Pays Tribute
Following news of her passing, tributes poured in from across Hollywood.
Leonardo DiCaprio called Keaton “brilliant, funny, and unapologetically herself,” while Bette Midler remembered her as “a complete original” with unmatched authenticity.
Director Francis Ford Coppola described her as “endlessly intelligent” and “creativity personified.”
A Legendary Career
Keaton leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, with iconic roles spanning decades.
She won the Best Actress Oscar for Annie Hall in 1978 and received additional nominations for Reds, Marvin’s Room, and Something’s Gotta Give.
Her notable films also include Baby Boom, The First Wives Club, and both Father of the Bride movies.
Personal Life and Final Public Appearance
Keaton never married but adopted two children in her 50s: Dexter and Duke.
Her last major public outing was in April 2025 at Jack Nicholson’s birthday celebration, where fellow actor Ed Begley Jr. recalled seeing her and described her as “a wonderful actress, a wonderful lady.”