Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning actor who redefined onscreen femininity with her sharp humor, offbeat charm and unapologetic individuality, has died at 79, according to People. A representative for the actor has not yet confirmed the cause of death.
Keaton rose to prominence in the 1970s, first captivating audiences as Kay Adams in The Godfather (1972) before securing her place in film history with her Oscar-winning turn in Woody Allen’s Annie Hall (1977). Her breezy, layered menswear in that film became a cultural touchstone, symbolizing a new kind of womanhood — intellectual, self-assured and a little eccentric.
Across five decades, Keaton built a career that resisted Hollywood’s constraints on women. From Reds and Manhattan to Baby Boom, Father of the Bride and The First Wives Club, she embodied complex characters who balanced wit and vulnerability. Offscreen, her voice, whether in memoirs, interviews or social media posts, remained singular: a blend of self-deprecation, curiosity and fierce independence.
Keaton also directed and produced, championing women’s stories long before it was fashionable to do so. Her authenticity, both in fashion and in life, made her an enduring influence across generations of actors and creatives.
Her passing marks the end of an era — not just for American cinema, but for the modern woman she helped define.
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