Diane Keaton-Beloved Hollywood Legend/Accidental Style Icon
I had another post planned for today, but I was so saddened to hear of Diane Keaton’s passing, I wanted to honor her life. I feel like a piece of my childhood went with her. Kim (Northern California Style) and I had a deep affection for Diane Keaton’s acting and style. Kim was the first to notify me of her death, and she sent me her latest book as a gift not long ago. We decided we should honor her together because we both respected her so much.Diane Keaton was a pioneer for women on an off screen. Her death is a poignant reminder that we often don’t know the quiet struggles others may be facing. To me, Diane was truly ageless. I thought she would live forever. I loved seeing her dancing to Miley Cyrus’s Flowers on Instagram, digging in and designing multiple homes, championing mature acting roles, and embracing her signature style with unmatched confidence. Oh and did I mention she released her first song last year at Christmas. She knew exactly who she was and celebrated it with style and originality. Today I am remembering Diane Keaton-Beloved Hollywood Legend/Accidental Style Icon
Diane Keaton-Beloved Hollywood Legend/Accidental Style Icon
Believe it or not, some people used to tell me I resembled Diane Keaton. I was deeply flattered. When my hair was longer and gray our styles occasionally overlapped. I felt honored to be mentioned in the same breath as her. Let’s leave the discussion of her life and family to other publications. Let’s instead chat about what her body of work meant to us and how she influenced our homes and personal style.
Her Movies
Actress Diane Keaton has graced the screen in over 54 films and numerous Broadway productions. She’s never been one to shy away from a challenge. She easily bridged the divide between complex characters and romantic comedic ones. Few could move so effortlessly between serious drama and romantic comedy, but Diane made it look easy. When asked which film was her favorite, she chose Somethings Gotta Give (one of my favorites as well).
I have missed a few of her early movies but not many. My favorites were her collaborations with Nancy Meyers, Somethings Gotta Give, Baby Boom, and Father of the Bride 1 & 2. Isn’t it hard to believe that her only Oscar was for best actress in Annie Hall? She was nominated for an academy award three other times: for Reds (with Warren Beatty), Marvin’s Room (I have yet to see), and Somethings Gotta Give.
At the time of her death, Diane had three projects in the works: Artist in Residence with Andy Garcia, and Josh Hutcherson, The Making of Richard Gere, with Blake Lively and Lin-Manuel Rianda and the survival thriller Constance. All of these films were apparently still in pre-production so her death must have been a surprise to all including her. Apparently she had no intention of slowing down.
Interesting Tidbit: After Something’s Gotta Give unexpectedly earned over 266 million at the box office Diane admitted in her 2011 memoir that she failed to negotiate a a back end to her contract – meaning co-star Nicholson earned significantly more money from the film. two years after it’s release, Keaton admitted she was stunned “when a check with a lot of zeros arrived in the mail for my back-end percentage.” Diane later discovered the money had voluntarily come from Nicholson’s hefty percentage of the film’s gross earnings.
New York Times 5 Great Diane Keaton Movies to Stream
Hollywood Honors Diane Keaton-Vanity Fair
Diane Keaton-Beloved Hollywood Legend/Accidental Style Icon
Her Homes
Diane was a serial house flipper and gifted designer. She loved buying , restoring, decorating and selling homes, mainly in the los angeles area. She was a voracious researcher when it came to interior design, and she had a natural sensibility about designing a home.Her current home which inspired her book The House That Pinterest Built was recently placed on the market.
Prior to her last home which was very industrial in style, she favored spanish colonial revival architecture and artifacts. My favorite was her Beverly Hills home that she owned prior to her current home. It was designed by her longtime collaborator Stephen Shadley.
The design of this library is so clever and inviting. I love every detail.
I adore this kitchen. I was tempted to reproduce the pendant lights for my current kitchen but didn’t want to spend the money.
Get Diane’s Style
Revisiting Diane Keaton’s Beverly Hills Home-Architectural Digest
Diane Keaton’s Collection with Hudson Grace
Architectural Digest Talks to Diane Keaton about her Book the House that Pinterest Built
House and Garden-Inside the Late Diane Keaton’s Many Beautiful Houses
Diane Keaton-Beloved Hollywood Legend/Accidental Style Icon
Her Style
Diane Keaton has bee featured in Vogue 12 times. Her most recent appearance was in a 2018 issue. She long favored designer Ralph Lauren, and more recently Thom Browne. She nailed her style early on with her role in Woody Allen’s Annie Hall (known as Annie’s Style). Her wardrobe has always been quirky, and confident. Her fashion sense unmatched. Who else could make her trademark bowler hats, crisp white shirts and ties, vests, oversized jackets, and wide-leg trousers look so effortlessly chic? She mastered the art of menswear with a feminine twist pairing neckties with lace and creative accessories. Winter or summer her outfit would be her signature pants (or the ocassional skirt) and turtleneck, often wrapped in layers of black and white, usually cinched in with oversized belts. It was pure Diane Keaton. She added that signature touch of whimsy that no one could emulate. Diane’s style defied trends and always said I know who I am. Her look was later coined by some as coastal grandma. I bet she hated that.
Diane’s latest book Fashion First-a gift from Kim.
Get Diane’s Look
One of the first Ageless Style posts I penned was about Diane Keaton (no I didn’t interview her unfortunately)
The Hollywood Reporter-Diane Keaton’s Style-Audacious, Gutsy and Independent
Diane Keaton was a Pioneer for Women on an off Screen
If you would like a tear jerker, watch the Ghost video Justin Bieber and Diane did together (about a lost grandfather), or watch Justin Bieber’s tribute to Diane on youtube here.
You can purchase all of Diane Keaton’s books on Amazon here.
Diane and her beloved dog Reggie. I hope Reggie is well loved by a close family member or friend.
RIP Diane, those of us that grew up with you lost a piece of our childhood on October 12th. Thank you for your incredible talent, for always dancing to your own rhythm, inspiring all of us to live boldly, laugh loudly, and never take ourselves too seriously. Here’s to Diane Keaton a beloved Hollywood legend, designer, author, songstress, and accidental style icon who made authenticity her signature.
Let’s pop over and visit Kim for her thoughts on a life well lived. Kim and I postponed our blazer post until Thursday so we could honor Diane.
Northern California Style
Love these words about Diane! She (and her amazing style) was one of my favorites. Loved her movies, too. This past weekend at my 49th College Girls’ Reunion, we watched First Wives Club to pay tribute to Diane—all of us loved her!
Hi Carol
She was one in a million…so missed…
XOXOX, Brenda
Thank you. I couldn’t have said it better. R.I.P Diane. You will be missed.
What a loss … we need more Diane Keaton’s. What a wonderful tribute to an icon. xo
Hi Juliet
We sure do…
Cindy, this is such a beautiful tribute to Diane Keaton. There has never been another like her, her ebullient personality, her smile that seemed to light up the screen and her laugh. Every time I saw a photo of her, or a movie I smiled. When she posted an elephant or a funny story on Instagram I laughed and smiled because I enjoyed so much of the same.
She was carefree, or so she seemed, lively, fun, inspiring, stylish and so much more.
Thank you for capturing all of that and more in this post.
She will be missed.
Cindy, I can definitely see Diane in your home and fashion stylings! And in your way of embracing all stages of life!
A lovely tribute to a genuine treasure, thank you.
Hi Sarah
She was a treasure
Thank you for this lovely post.
I have always thought of you as Keaton-Esque. Just more colorful than she was.
I am rewatching her movies – Something’s Gotta Give, Annie Hall, and last night, The Book Club (Andy Garcia for bonus points). She was a joy to watch on and off the screen.
Let’s all raise a glass of red on the rocks and toast to the Divine Ms. Keaton.
Hi Holly
I love that! She loved her red on the rocks!
Thank you for this tribute of such a remarkable, inspiring woman. It sure brought up some great memories!
I remember standing in line to see the movie Annie Hall, loving it then and still have positive memories of it.
A good friend then ( we recently reconnected after 35 years) and I were inspired by the ‘black soap’ she used in Annie Hall. I don’t remember all the details from the movie but I remember my friend and I bravely went into an upscale department store, Frederick and Nelson in Seattle where we lived, went to the Erno Lazlo counter and found out we needed to register to buy the products…which we did and got our black soup plus other products. Our skin did look wonderful and improved but of course we were in our early 20’s…enough said. Thank you, Cindy you are a gem!
Hi Karen
What a great story…she was such a part of our life.
Thanks for this beautiful tribute. Many of us are feeling this big loss. When I think of her, I just have to smile.
I do to Brenda. Watch the Ralph Lauren Runway show, it will warm your heart,
Dear Cindy. What a wonderful tribute to fabulous and creative icon! I fell in love with her in The Godfather movies – her ability to show raw emotion was just the beginning of her career. Beautiful, quirky, talented. A powerful legacy. Aloha from Maui – Inused some of your packing suggestions – could have cut back though because I keep buying more clothes! Anna in Arizona ( Maui) ❤️🌴
Hi Anna
Have a wonderful time…you described her perfectly
Loved your tribute to Diane! If you want to read a fun interview with her, look up the Leanne Ford online art magazine Feel Free (I found it in a House Beautiful FB post two days ago). Leanne interviewed Diane about her lifelong love of making collages, among other things. You feel like you’re sitting there with the two of them—definitely worth a read. RIP Diane.
Hi Diana
Thank you…I will do that..
What a lovely tribute to Diane! So sad she is gone, but will never be forgotten. An incredible body of work, style, and talent across the board. Our generation lost 2 icons too soon, along with Redford’s passing recently. Thank you, Cindy!
Hi Nan
It is terribly sad to have lost them both too soon…
What an absolutely wonderful tribute. As you stated, yes a piece of our childhood has gone. I always loved seeing what she was wearing. Along with knowing that if she was in a movie, it was definitely worth seeing, and would be enjoyable.
Hi Jill
Thank you. I couldn’t agree more.
Thank you, Cindy. Diane Keaton was fabulous.
Hi Linda
She was above and beyond fabulous wasn’t she?
OMG I have LOVED Diane Keaton since Annie Hall. Her style in that movie was totally my jam: ties, trousers, chunky Docs etc. I lost two heroes, Diane Keaton and Jane Goodall and I have been wrapped up in everything they did, their joie de vivre, their wisdom, their adoration of animals and their energy. Life passes too quickly.
Diane’s book on spanish Revival homes is amazing and I was obsessed with The House that Pinterest Built – I even bought 5 Marvis Toothpastes to stack in my bathroom like she has in hers. And I covet her library and her kitchen. Diane’s joy and authenticity is what I will miss most and I will strive to live my life with joy and authenticity as she did. Death is a reminder for us to LIVE!
I know neither of my heroines will “rest in peace” but will be on to new adventures.
Thanks for the post and all the links.
I want to watch Hampstead tonight and I never saw Ghost but the video made me cry
Hi Dianne
So totally your jam she was!! You are so right about her joy and authenticity! She was truly a legend…
Hi Cindy,
Thank you for doing this. I was gutted all weekend hearing the news, and I watched her films and ordered her books and just felt floored really. Such an incredible artist. I admire her so much about how she navigated her life and stuck to her truth.Her generosity…..her beautiful singing voice. I am going to be in London soon and I love her film “Hampstead” so that is next for me. So many miss her. Sending love xo
I feel like I lost a sister. Thank you for posting this tribute.
I loved her portrayal in Something’s Got To Give. Flirting and typing to Jack Nicholson. Madly falling in love at a later life stage. Which has happened to me. Never too late to find love or be unique. Creativity is wonderful medicine. She was so alive.
Cindy I just loved this so much. I knew you would find the best photos and remembrances of her. Gosh she will be missed. I cannot think of another actress with such originality and guts. She was truly such a trailblazer. I imagine it was even harder when she was young and just starting out to be true to herself, but she was!
Thank you for asking me to do this with you. Was a joy to do this.
I’m so glad you liked the book. You inspire me as much as she did! Here’s to originals and living authentically and with joy. We could all be more like Diane.
I’m going to start a movie marathon too. I think Baby Boom will be first, and them Something’s Gotta Give.
xo
OH Cindy thank you for this lovely tribute. Diane was a favorite for all generations. This hit hard. Someone commented on a post… ok god we’ve had enough loss for 2025… please leave Julie Andrews alone. I loved your post Cindy. I’m going to send it to my daughters.
Hi Diana
We have lost some great ones this year…that is true. I am so glad you enjoyed this tribute.
She was iconic in many respects. I especially loved how she always acknowledged her mother for encouraging, supporting, and allowing Diane to be her authentic self. That support helped Diane to be a confident and genuine person. It’s a great lesson for all of us as mothers and role models to women in our lives.
Hi Jayne
Great comment and reminder to encourage our daughters and granddaughters to remain true to themselves.
Thank you for this tribute, Cindy. It is upsetting to know she is gone as well as Robert Redford..two icons with style and talent. They should have been in something together.. I think she almost loved architecture and design just as much as acting and her homes were beautiful. Reds is my favorite film and makes sense more each time I see it; at the time it was released I don’t think it was a hit. Her fashion style was always distinct and made it OK to put on that thrift shop jacket! Donnie
Hi Donnie
We lost a piece of our childhood didn’t we? And yes to the thrift store jacket-she would approve
I was shocked to hear of her death at 79 which I consider too young. There really didn’t seem to be much mention about it in the news that I saw. Was a cause given? Other than Woody Allen and Warren Beatty, I don’t remember her being in a relationship. Was she ever married? In Mary’s comment above, she mentions children but I never heard of any. I loved her style also- Look at those checkerboard fingernails on those stubby little nails in your picture. She walked to her own style-drummer! Thanks for the memories, Cindy.
Hi Wren
Diane adopted two children in her fifties. She was never married but had a serious relationship with Al Pacino (the one who got away) and relationships with Woody Allen, and Warren Beatty. She was such a talent at whatever she put her mind to. I have no idea how she died, she had struggled with cancer and bulimia, maybe a heart attack? She was such an inspiration and I never heard of anyone speaking a bad word about her…that says alot…
I am guessing she had an aggressive cancer of some sort as there were media reports she had serious health issues in the last few months. Guess she wanted to keep her illness private which is her right, but it is only human nature for people wanting to know. I liked most of her movies (hated her character in the Family Stone and took me some time to separate her from her screen persona), but loved her in Reds. It was a testament to her character, that she didn’t chuck Woody Allen under the bus when he was in a spot of bother
Hi Susan
We may never know what caused her demise. She was a wonderful actress and balanced the comedic roles with the serious. I loved Reds too. I would like to watch it again…it has been so long…
FYI
I have heard others say the same about her character in the Family Stone. I don’t remember thinking that role was memorable either.
Your tribute was spot on! Loved her and her movies-such an icon and role model for many of us
Hi Sue
We sure will miss her won’t we?
Oh, Cindy. I so appreciate your lovely tribute to Diane Keaton.
In 1977, I remember digging in my closet and my younger brother’s closet – which held “original” Abercrombie & Fitch ( IYKYK ) to pull together “her look” from Annie Hall before the merch hit the stores.
It was the beginning of my career in fashion merchandising. I was a retail operations coordinator at the time, so lucky to be assigned to women’s accessories.
Everyone in NYC was scrambling in their showrooms and factories to bring “her look”.
Through her movies, her style and her candor, Diane lived to be an inspiring soul sister to me, and the coolest ever Contemporary Coastal Fairy Godmother to our daughters.
I love to live by one of my favorite quotes . . . “ Take your broken heart and make it into art.”
– Diane Keaton
♥️ Lynne
Hi Lynne
I love those stories from your career…Annie Hall came out the year we moved to California from the Midwest. I remember coveting her style but not having any extra money for clothes at that time. Another fun tidbit is watching her salute all the Ralph Lauren models at one of his runway shows. She was so positive and full of fun!
Hi Cindy. I was living on a kibbutz in Israel when the movie came out. All of the Americans were raving about it, so I took myself off to the cinema. I think something was lost in translation as it was dubbed into Hebrew and had English subtitles. Still not sure what the movie was about
Hi Susan
Time to rewatch it. I plan to as well.
Like so many, I loved her too. We recently watched something’s gotta give …again and then last night Baby Boom. It may easily have been the fifth time for me. my husband had no recollection of ever seeing it, but he enjoyed it as much as I did.
Meryl Streep did a wonderful and hilarious tribute to her at an awards ceremony. Her love for her children and animals was something else so many of us identified with.
So sad to lose someone to very special.
.
Hi Mary
I am usually not a serial movie watcher but Something’s Gotta Give and Out of Africa I have seen too many times to mention. I never watched Hampstead. I must add that to the list. I sure hope someone very loving takes her beloved dog.
Thank you, lovey post. Wearing my turtleneck today.
Hi Lillian
I am too in her honor!!
Such a beautiful tribute, Cindy. So sad.
Thanks Mary Ann-she was such an inspiration to us all wasn’t she?
Read a lot of tributes, yours my favorite. You’ve always reminded me of Diane. Even the white bucket hat on the beach looked good on her. I’ll never forget her getting giddy at the typewriter exchanging flirty messages with Jack. Reminded us all it’s never too late to find love. ❤️
What a beautiful tribute to Diane Keaton! I loved everything about her…
Hi Dottie
I did too!! So much to admire and love!!
Thank you for your tribute to Diane Keaton. I also felt a great loss upon her death. First, surprise and later sorrow. She always inspired me to go outside the box, do and be who you are regardless of what others may think. She is already greatly missed.
Hi Juanita
I feel exactly the same. What would Diane do, right?