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Diane Keaton's health 'declined suddenly' before death at 79, friends say
Close friends of Diane Keaton have spoken out following her death, stating that her health tragically "declined suddenly".
The 79-year-old, known for her role in Annie Hall and a five-decade career that spanned Broadway, blockbuster comedies, and arthouse dramas, Keaton passed away in California, her family confirmed on Saturday, per the Independent.
“There are no further details available at this time, and her family has asked for privacy in this moment of great sadness,” a spokesperson said.
Diane Keaton's sudden health decline
Although Keaton had not made public appearances in recent months, the news came as a shock to many — including longtime friends who were unaware of any health issues.
A source close to the actress revealed: “She declined very suddenly, which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her,” per People.
Her inner circle chose to keep her deteriorating health private. “In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private,” the source added. “Even longtime friends weren’t fully aware of what was happening.”
One sign that something might have been wrong came in March, when Keaton listed her beloved Los Angeles “dream home” for $29 million — a move that stunned friends who recalled her saying she’d never leave.
A quiet absence from public life
In recent years, Keaton was known for her daily walks around her Brentwood neighborhood, often spotted with her dog, dressed in her signature hat and oversized sunglasses. But neighbors noticed her absence.
“She loved her neighborhood,” said one local. “Up until just a few months ago, she’d walk her dog every day… She was always very nice, funny and chatty. She’d talk to her dog like he was a person. She was eccentric and had this old-school Hollywood aura. She was very, very special.”
Her final Instagram post, shared in April, showed Keaton smiling wide with her dog Reggie, appearing healthy and content.
A towering legacy in film
Born January 5, 1946, in Los Angeles as Diane Hall, Keaton first made waves on stage in the 1968 Broadway production of Hair, then earned a Tony nomination for Play It Again, Sam, where she starred opposite Woody Allen — a collaboration that would span seven films, including Manhattan, Radio Days, and the Oscar-winning Annie Hall (1977).
Her performance as the quirky nightclub singer in Annie Hall earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, one of the most iconic rom-com performances of all time.
She later received three more Oscar nominations for Reds (1981), Marvin’s Room (1996), and Something’s Gotta Give (2003), starring opposite Jack Nicholson.
Keaton’s versatility also brought her success in family comedies like Father of the Bride (1991), The First Wives Club (1996), and Book Club (2018). Her final film credit was 2024’s Summer Camp, alongside Kathy Bates, Eugene Levy, and Josh Peck.