Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning actress known for her singular charm, wit, and unmistakable sense of style, has passed away at the age of 79. Her death has left Hollywood and fans around the world in deep mourning.
While the exact cause has not yet been revealed, 911 audio obtained by TMZ offers heartbreaking insight into her final hours. In the early morning of October 11, a dispatcher could be heard saying, “Rescue 19, person down,” followed by Keaton’s home address. Emergency responders transported her to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Her family confirmed to People that she passed away “peacefully.” Still, those close to her say the speed of her decline came as a shock.
One longtime friend shared,
“She declined very suddenly, which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her. Even longtime friends weren’t fully aware of what was happening.”
A Sudden, Private Decline
Carol Bayer Sager, a close friend who co-wrote Keaton’s song “First Christmas,” recalled seeing her just weeks before her death.
“She was very thin… she had lost so much weight,” Sager said.
“She was still taking photos, still curious, still shining her light — but physically, something had changed.”
Keaton had recently returned to Los Angeles after spending time in Palm Springs, where she stayed after her home was damaged by wildfires.
Despite her health struggles, friends say she never lost her spirit. “She was funny right up until the end,” one said. “She lived exactly how she wanted to — on her own terms.”
Tributes from Hollywood
The outpouring of grief from fellow stars has been profound. Goldie Hawn wrote:
“Diane, we aren’t ready to lose you. You’ve left us with a trail of fairy dust… Shine up there, girlfriend. I’m going to miss the hell out of you.”
Bette Midler added:
“She was hilarious, a complete original… What you saw was who she was.”
A Legacy Like No Other
From The Godfather to her Oscar-winning role in Annie Hall, Diane Keaton forever redefined what it meant to be a leading lady. She was bold, funny, vulnerable, stylish, and authentically herself — on and off screen.
Her signature look — wide-brimmed hats, suits, neckties — became a cultural moment. But beyond fashion, it was her emotional honesty and humor that made millions fall in love with her.
She is survived by her two children, Dexter and Duke, whom she adopted in her 50s, and leaves behind a legacy of art, laughter, and fearless individuality.
“She didn’t just act in films — she lived in them,” one friend said.
“And she made us feel like she was living right beside us.”
🕊️ Rest in peace, Diane Keaton. Thank you for the light you gave the world.