Diane Keaton’s friend is claiming the Oscar winner was suffering from another health issue before her death from pneumonia.
A longtime confidant of Keaton’s told TMZ in an interview published on Thursday, October 16, that the actress was struggling from an unnamed illness in the final days of her life and therefore news of her death was “not a shock” to those who knew her.
A spokesperson for Keaton confirmed her death on October 11. At the time, no other details were given but her family — including children Dexter and Duke — asked for “privacy” as they navigated their grief.
The family later confirmed to People on Wednesday, October 15, that Keaton died of pneumonia at the age of 79.
Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death at Age 79 Revealed
“The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11,” the statement revealed before sharing how fans could honor her memory. “She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her.”
A friend of the First Wives Club star previously told People that her health “declined very suddenly” in the last months of her life and that she chose to withdraw from public life in order to spend time with her “very closest family.” Although Keaton was reportedly known for being spotted walking her dog, Reggie, in her neighborhood, those sightings stopped before her death.
Keaton’s final Instagram post was, in fact, an ode to her pets. Back in April, she collaborated with Hudson Grace, the home decor company which sold her collection, for National Pet Day and featured Reggie who modeled some of the products for the camera. Keaton, for her part, could be seen sitting on the floor and smiling at her beloved golden retriever.
“Proof our pets have great taste too,” she captioned the photo. “Happy National Pet Day from HG & Diane Keaton.”
Keaton expanded her horizons in various ways in her final years, from a home decor and eyewear brand to a Christmas song and a cameo in Justin Bieber’s “Ghost” music video.
“I would say more of everything that comes my way. I don’t know what’s going to come my way. Maybe nothing’s going to come my way,” Keaton exclusively told Us Weekly in September 2022 about not ruling out anything when it comes to future projects. “I’ve been so lucky, and so I just don’t want to push off anything without knowing if I could have a chance to know, would I be doing it or what. I wouldn’t knock out anything unless I read something that I really felt that I wouldn’t be right for, something like that. That just is not good for me.”
The award-winning star, who was best known for her roles in films like Annie Hall, The Godfather, First Wives Club and many more, also prioritized spending time with her closest loved ones. In April, Keaton attended the 88th birthday party for her Something’s Gotta Give costar Jack Nicholson.
“I saw her fairly recently at Jack Nicholson’s birthday party, and it was good to see her there,” Keaton’s Book Club costar Ed Begley Jr. told People on October 11. “She loved Jack Nicholson, as I do, and Jack loved her. So I don’t mean to speak for him. I’m sure he’s as devastated as I am by her loss.”
Keaton’s other friend Lynda Resnick shared with People earlier this week that she was also dedicated to her movie nights every Saturday, with a group that included Carole Bayer Sager, Sherry Lansing and Lauren Shuler Donner.
Diane Keaton’s Health Reportedly ‘Declined Very Suddenly’ in Last Few Months
Resnick shared that during the coronavirus pandemic, Keaton put effort into staying in close contact with her friends via Zoom. Resnick said Keaton “would show up in either a black or white turtleneck,” her signature style, and gave incredible gifts during the holiday season like “fabulous books that were so big a U-Haul had to bring them.”
“And I remember one year she bought canisters for cookies and things and they had black and white tops because that was her signature,” she added, referring to Keaton’s favorite chic color scheme that was often reflected in her fashion.
“It was always easy to be with Diane,” Resnick said, “and I will miss her terribly.”
