Ed Begley Jr. and Stars Mourn Diane Keaton’s Sudden Death at 79
URGENT UPDATE: Hollywood is mourning the sudden loss of Diane Keaton, who passed away at the age of 79. The news broke just hours ago, sending shockwaves through the entertainment community, especially among her Book Club co-stars Ed Begley Jr., Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen.
At the Environmental Media Association Awards on October 11, 2023, a visibly emotional Begley Jr. spoke to Us Weekly, revealing, “I was extremely close to Diane. I loved her a lot.” The duo first collaborated in the 1992 TV movie Running Mates and again in the successful 2018 romantic comedy Book Club, which grossed over $100 million at the box office.
Fonda, 87, took to Instagram, stating, “It’s hard to believe…or accept…that Diane has passed. She was always a spark of life and light.” Bergen, 79, echoed similar sentiments, calling Keaton “a true artist — tremendously gifted and uniquely talented.” Steenburgen added, “There was no one, nor will there ever be, anyone like her.”
Details surrounding Keaton’s death remain scarce, with her family requesting privacy during this difficult time. A friend disclosed to People that Keaton’s health “declined very suddenly” over the past few months. Once a familiar face in her Brentwood, California neighborhood, she had recently retreated from public life to spend time with her closest family.
Keaton’s illustrious career included iconic roles in films like Father of the Bride and Annie Hall, for which she won an Academy Award. Her final film appearance was in the upcoming 2024 comedy Summer Camp, alongside esteemed actors like Kathy Bates and Eugene Levy.
Fans and colleagues alike are reflecting on Keaton’s remarkable legacy and the profound impact she had on both her friends and the film industry. This is a developing story, and we will continue to update as more information becomes available.
