Oscar-winning actress dies aged 79, US media report

Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton has died at the age of 79.

Keaton, who was born in Los Angeles, rose to fame in the 1970s as Kay Adams-Corleone in the “Godfather” films.

She was also known for her starring roles in films such as Father of the Bride, The First Wives Club and Annie Hall, which earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1978.

Keaton's producer and friend Dorie Rath confirmed the actress's death to CBS News, the BBC's American partner.

For Annie Hall, Keaton also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

During her career spanning more than five decades, Keaton starred in dozens of other films, including The Family Stone, Because I Said So, and That's the Way It Goes, as well as a number of other Woody Allen films, such as Play It Again, Sam, Sleeper, Love and Death, and Manhattan.

Keaton made her film debut in the 1970 romantic comedy Lovers and Other Strangers. Her last film was the 2024 comedy Summer Camp, where she starred alongside Eugene Levy and Kathy Bates.

Keaton has also directed several films, the first of which was the 1987 documentary Heaven, which explored people's beliefs about the afterlife. Her 1995 film UnStringed Heroes, a comedy-drama starring Andie MacDowell, John Turturro and Michael Richards, was selected for the Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard program, which showcases unique stories from emerging filmmakers.

Most recently, Keaton directed the 2000 comedy-drama Hang Up, starring herself, Meg Ryan and Lisa Kudrow.

In both her film roles and her personal life, Keaton was known for her unique style, which often featured men's clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.

Keaton died in California on Saturday, a family spokesman told People magazine, which first reported the news.

Paying tribute, her First Wives Club co-star Bette Midler wrote on Instagram: “The brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary Diane Keaton has died. I can’t tell you how incredibly sad this makes me.”

“She was funny, completely original and completely devoid of guile or any kind of competition that you would expect from such a star. What you saw was who she was… oh, la, lala!”

Actor Ben Stiller paid tribute to X, writing: “Diane Keaton. One of the greatest film actresses of all time. An icon of style, humor and comedy. Fabulous. What a man.”

Keaton was nominated for three more Oscars—all in the Best Actress category—for her work in Something's Gotta Give, Marvin's Room and Reds.

She never married and had two adopted children – a daughter, Dexter, and a son, Duke.

In her 2011 autobiography, Then Again, Keaton wrote: “I measured my happiness quotient and this is the result. I am completely content when those I love are happy because of something small, big, insignificant, whatever.

“I just don’t think anyone could have the same wonderful, strong and compelling feelings that I have for this family of mine.”