Seven of Diane Keaton’s most iconic and memorable roles

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One of Hollywoods most beloved and prolific actors, Diane Keaton, has died aged 79.

She was known for her self-deprecating humour, charm and eccentricity, which she brought to the 100-odd film and television projects she starred in over a stunning 50-year career.

Below, we take a look back at just a few of the actor’s most beloved and iconic roles.

The Godfather (1972)

From left, Diane Keaton, George Hamilton and Al Pacino in The Godfather Part III.

Keaton’s first major movie role was as Katherine “Kay” Corleone, the second wife of Al Pacino’s Mafia don Michael Corleone in The Godfather. Then in her mid-20s, the young actor shone as the spirited and initially oblivious wife of a crime boss – and ultimate outsider of the Corleone family. Director Francis Ford Coppola said he cast Keaton after seeing her in the 1970 romantic comedy Lovers and Other Strangers, and wanted her for the eccentricity she would bring to Kay.

She reprised her role as Kay in The Godfather II and Part III, despite initially being reluctant to continue her character’s arc. “At first, I was skeptical about playing Kay again in the Godfather sequel. But when I read the script, the character seemed much more substantial than in the first film”, she told Vanity Fair in 2020.

Annie Hall (1977)

Diane Keaton and Woody Allen on screen in Annie Hall. They worked on eight films together, were romantically involved, and remained close friends.

One of Keaton’s most memorable and lauded roles was as the titular character in the 1977 satirical romantic comedy Annie Hall, written especially for her by Woody Allen.

In it, Keaton plays the former girlfriend of neurotic comedian Alvy Singer (Woody Allen), who attempts to understand why their relationship ended.

Keaton and Allen, who were romantically involved and had a longstanding professional relationship, first worked together in the 1969 Broadway production of Play It Again, Sam. They worked on eight films together between 1971 and 1993 and remained close friends.

She stood by Allen amidst allegations of sexual abuse towards his and Mia Farrow’s daughter, Dylan.

Despite this, Farrow mourned Keaton’s death on Instagram in a post on Sunday, writing: “She was an absolutely wonderful actress – and a rare and fascinating person. Thoughts with her children and sisters. Rest in peace Diane.”

The role won Keaton her first Oscar for Best Actress at the 1977 Academy Awards, while the film took out the Best Picture award.

In her acceptance speech for the award, Keaton oozed her signature offbeat charm, beaming from the stage: “well then, this is terrific. It’s simply terrific.”

Reds (1981)

Diane Keaton opposite Warren Beatty - with whom she was also romantically involved - in the acclaimed film, Reds.

At the height of her fame, Keaton starred alongside Warren Beatty – with whom she was also romantically involved – in the historical epic Reds (1981).

The film, which Beatty also directed, traces the true story of American journalist John Reed who covered The October Revolution – the second of two revolutions in Russia led by Vladimir Lenin’s Bolsheviks. Keaton plays American journalist and suffragist Louise Bryant, who joins Reed and a community of activists in New York.

The film won Best Director and Best Cinematography at the Academy Awards, and earned Keaton a Best Actress nomination. It was screened at The White House for then-president Ronald Reagan.

In 2020, New York Magazine included it in its list of “The Best Movies Which Lost Best Picture at the Oscars”.

Father of the Bride (1991)

Diane Keaton, Martin Short and Steve Martin in Father of the Bride.

In 1991, Keaton starred alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short in family favourite Father of the Bride, a remake of the 1950 film of the same name. Her second of four films with American filmmaker Nancy Meyers (Baby Boom, Something’s Gotta Give and Father of the Bride II), Keaton plays Nina Banks, a steady and devoted mother and wife who supports her husband George (Steve Martin) as he begins to unravel following the news of his daughter’s engagement.

A critical and box office success, the film led to a sequel released in 1995.

The First Wives Club (1996)

Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton and Bette Midler in The First Wives Club.

In 1996, Keaton starred alongside Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler in The First Wives Club, a comedy about three divorcees seeking revenge against their husbands for leaving them for younger women.

In the film, Keaton’s character Annie has separated from her advertising executive husband, is in therapy for self-esteem issues and remains hopeful the two will reconcile.

Grossing US$181 million worldwide, the film was a box-office hit and garnered a cult-following among middle-aged women.

The third sequel to the film, Book Club: The Next Chapter, released in 2023, is one of Keaton’s last projects.

On Sunday, Bette Midler took to Instagram to pay tribute to her late co-star, writing: “She was hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star. What you saw was who she was…oh, la, lala!”

Goldie Hawn also paid tribute, writing: “You stole the hearts of the world and shared your genius with millions, making films that made us laugh and cry in ways only you could. I was blessed to make First Wives Club with you, our days starting with coffee in the makeup trailer, laughing and joking, right through to the very last day of filming. It was a roller coaster of love.”

Marvin’s Room (1996)

With Leonardo DiCaprio and Meryl Streep in Marvin’s Room.

In 1996, Keaton starred in Jerry Zaks’ drama Marvin’s Room as Bessie, the primary caregiver for her father Martin. When she is diagnosed with leukemia – the same disease which killed her mother – she turns to her estranged sister Lee (Meryl Streep) for help. A young Leonardo DiCaprio also stars as the teenage son of Lee.

A New York Times review at the time credited the film’s “powerhouse casting” with lending depth to the screen adaptation and praised Keaton’s performance.

“Ms. Keaton works wonders in making Bessie much more than an advertisement for noble sacrifice, though she still must do a good deal of figurative smiling through her tears,” it read.

For her performance, Keaton received nominations for an Academy Award for Best Actress, the Critic’s Choice Movie Award for Best Actress and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role.

Something’s Gotta Give (2003)

Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give.

Keaton’s comedic prowess shines in her fourth project in a longstanding, close working relationship with Nancy Myers, the 2003 romantic comedy Something’s Gotta Give.

In it, Keaton plays a middle-aged playwright who develops a relationship with Harry, a veteran playboy played by Jack Nicholson who refuses to accept his age. Set against the backdrop of a Hamptons beach house (with Meyers’ signature neutral-toned interior design), the pair star alongside other Hollywood heavyweights, including Keanu Reeves and Frances McDormand.

In her memoir, Keaton wrote the film had become a favourite, despite the fact she was initially sure it would fail (as testament to her performance, she received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor).

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