Diane Keaton biography, age, young, net worth, husband, children 2025

Diane Keaton's Biography

Diane Keaton is an American actress, director, and producer who's won an Oscar and BAFTA, plus two Golden Globe Awards. Keaton's most notable roles include her performances in "The Godfather" series (1972), "Love and Death" (1975), "Annie Hall" (1977), "Reds" (1981), "Marvin's Room" (1996), and many more.

Childhood and Youth

Diane Keaton (Hall) was born on January 5, 1946 in Los Angeles, California. Her mother, Dorothy Deanne Keaton (1921–2008), was a homemaker and amateur photographer; her father, John Newton Ignatius "Jack" Hall (1922–1990), worked as a real estate broker and civil engineer. Diane is the eldest child in the family; she has two sisters, Dorrie and Robin, and a brother, Randy.

Dorothy, a Free Methodist Church member, took on most of the responsibility for raising their daughter. This lively, active, and artistic woman greatly inspired young Diane. When her mother won the "Mrs. Los Angeles for housewives" competition, Diane first started thinking about becoming an actress. Keaton also idolized Hollywood star Katherine Hepburn, known for playing strong and independent women.

During her school years, Keaton actively participated in school concerts, performed vocal numbers, and attended a drama club. After high school, she enrolled in Orange Coast College's acting department in California but dropped out after a year to chase her dreams in Manhattan. Around the same time, Diane changed her surname to Keaton, her mother's maiden name, as there was already an actress named Diane Hall in Hollywood.

Acting Career

Keaton's talent didn't get immediate recognition. She spent years singing in nightclubs before landing a role in the Broadway musical "Hair" (1968). The young actress caught the public's eye not just for her stellar acting and vocal chops, but also for refusing to strip naked in the final scene.

Diane Keaton, Barry McGuire, and Steve Curry (Hair)

Broadway brought Diane face-to-face with Woody Allen. She starred in his production of "Play It Again, Sam!", which earned her a Tony Award nomination. In 1972, a film of the same name was made based on the play, featuring the duo of Keaton and Allen.

Her collaboration with Allen turned out to be pure gold. She appeared in several of his films, including "Sleeper" (1973), "Manhattan" (1979), and "Annie Hall" (1977) – a love story that gave audiences a peek into Woody and Diane's real-life romance. For her leading role in the latter film, the actress won an Oscar, as did Allen – for Best Director and Original Screenplay.

Diane Keaton in the movie Play It Again, Sam!

Woody Allen put Diane Keaton on the map, making her a hot commodity for A-list directors. She struck gold with her roles in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather" series (1972, 1974, and 1990), in which she played Kay Adams, the friend and future wife of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino).

Diane Keaton in The Godfather Part II

In 1981, Keaton teamed up with Warren Beatty, with whom she had an off-screen relationship, in the movie "Reds". This Oscar-nominated historical drama follows an American couple who fled to Russia after the October Revolution of 1917. Her brilliant performance landed Keaton an Oscar nomination, though the award went to her childhood idol, 75-year-old Katherine Hepburn, for "On Golden Pond."

After a string of box office disappointments in the early '80s, Keaton bounced back with the hit comedy "Baby Boom" (1987), in which she portrayed a working single mother. Around this time, Keaton tried her hand at directing: she created several music videos for pop singer Belinda Carlisle, as well as several TV projects, such as a directorial episode of the cult "Twin Peaks" by David Lynch. Her first feature film as a director was the tragicomedy "Unstrung Heroes" (1995), starring Andie MacDowell and John Turturro.

Diane Keaton and Al Pacino on the set of 'The Godfather'

Comedy proved to be Keaton's winning formula. In 1991, she starred with Steve Martin in the successful movie "Father of the Bride", which was followed by a sequel a few years later. In 1993, Diane worked again with Woody Allen, shooting his comedy "Manhattan Murder Mystery".

Diane Keaton in Twin Peaks

Three years later, she teamed up with Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler in the wickedly funny "The First Wives Club," about friends plotting revenge against the men who dumped them. The film was a huge success, earning more than $181 million worldwide.

A scene from the movie The First Wives Club

But Keaton proved she was more than just a comedy star with her mature, deeply moving performance in the family drama "Marvin's Room," about two estranged sisters. This role earned Keaton her third Oscar nomination.

In the early 2000s, Keaton delighted fans with her role in the comedy "Town & Country" (2001), reuniting with Warren Beatty and Goldie Hawn alongside a young Josh Hartnett. The romantic comedy "Something's Gotta Give" (2003) with Jack Nicholson and Keanu Reeves was another standout. This box-office hit earned Keaton her fourth Oscar nomination, but the award went to Charlize Theron for her stunning transformation in the drama "Monster".

Something's Gotta Give Interview

Other successful 2000s films included "The Family Stone" (2005), where she played cheerful housewife Sybil Stone, and the comedy "Mad Money" (2008), in which she starred as the mastermind behind a bank robbery scheme.

More comedies followed – "The Big Wedding" (2013) and "And So It Goes" (2014). Alongside Morgan Freeman, Keaton played half of an elderly couple planning to sell their longtime home in the charming comedy "5 Flights Up" (2014), followed by her appearance in the Christmas comedy "Love the Coopers" (2015).

Diane Keaton, Ana Ayora, and Topher Grace in the movie The Big Wedding

Diane Keaton rarely appears in TV series. But in 2016, she surprised everyone by appearing in the HBO series "The Young Pope," playing a nun who serves as the Pope's (Jude Law) personal secretary.

Diane Keaton in The Young Pope

Keaton also starred in the comedy "Hampstead" (2017) with Brendan Gleeson, and in June 2018, she appeared in "Book Club" about refined women who discover the erotic bestseller "Fifty Shades of Grey."

Diane Keaton's Personal Life

At the start of her acting career, Diane Keaton had multiple relationships with high-profile figures in the film industry. One of her early admirers was Woody Allen, who was captivated by Diane's brilliant sense of humor. Keaton and Allen lived together for a while, but by the time their first movie was released in 1972, their relationship had become purely professional. Allen remains one of the actress's closest friends today.

Diane kept her relationship with Warren Beatty under wraps, earning her the title of "most secretive star since Greta Garbo" in 1985. Their relationship ended shortly after the completion of the movie "Reds". The problems in their relationship reportedly stemmed from both the challenging filming process and numerous financial disputes.

Keaton also dated her "Godfather" trilogy co-star Al Pacino. The couple endured a series of difficult breakups and reunions before finally separating after the release of "The Godfather Part III" (1990). "Al is one of the most interesting people... and he has the most beautiful face. Yes, Warren is magnificent, he's very handsome, but Pacino's face – it's something else. It's just incredible," Keaton shared.

In the mid-2000s, rumors swirled that Diane dated Keanu Reeves, her co-star from "Something's Gotta Give", who's 18 years her junior.

Diane Keaton is currently not married. The actress doesn't let it bother her: "I don't think my life is worse because I don't have a husband."

Keaton has two adopted children: a daughter, Dexter (adopted in 1996), and a son, Duke (in 2001). Diane decided to become a mother at nearly 50, motivated by her father's death, which hit her very hard. "Motherhood completely changed me. It's been the most amazing experience of my life," the actress shared.

Diane Keaton actively supports campaigns to save and restore historic buildings in Los Angeles. Beyond this, Diane enjoys photography, works in luxury real estate (one of her clients was Madonna), and serves as a spokesperson for the cosmetic brand L'Oréal.

In November 2011, Keaton released a memoir titled "Then Again".

Diane Keaton Now

In May 2019, the uplifting comedy "Poms" starring 73-year-old Diane Keaton in the lead role premiered. The actress plays a retiree who decides to return to sports and assemble a cheerleading team from the inhabitants of a retirement home.

Diane also played one of the central roles in the romantic comedy "Love, Weddings & Other Disasters", which was released in 2021.

Diane Keaton: latest news and articles

16 celebrities who have aged gracefully (photo)

22 Dec 2020

Jennifer Flores

What a woman Keaton that she adopted two children! A reason for pride and an example of courage

2021-04-07 11:42:07
Michael Huff

She`s just a miracle and a diamond in Hollywood! A woman with incredible talent, charm and beauty

2021-03-31 21:04:00
Marlene Rodriguez

There are many fond memories associated with Diane Keaton, more precisely, with her roles in the cinema. I love the First Wives Club dearly and review it every year.

2021-03-13 13:31:17
Robin Carter

Annie Hall has long been my favorite movie. There are two of my favorites here - Keaton and Allen.

2021-02-27 11:09:06
Richard Hayes

Diane Keaton is a legend of cinema. One of the few very talented actresses of our time!

2021-02-25 09:25:23

Photos: Diane Keaton