Diane Keaton, the quirky US actress who won an Academy Award and captured hearts with her performance as Woody Allen's eccentric, insecure girlfriend in the 1977 romantic comedy 'Annie Hall', has died at the age of 79.
Her death was first reported by People magazine. Rizzoli, a publishing company that released several of Keaton's books, later confirmed the death in a statement, calling her an "icon whose influence spanned film, fashion, and design."
Keaton, who appeared in more than 60 films, including "The Godfather" trilogy, "The First Wives Club" and eight films with Allen, stood out in Hollywood with a personal style that favoured androgynous looks, turtleneck sweaters and her trademark hats.
She earned Oscar nominations for best actress for her portrayal of US journalist Louise Bryant in the 1981 political drama 'Reds', as a caring aunt to Leonardo DiCaprio in the 1996 family saga 'Marvin's Room' and opposite Jack Nicholson in the 2003 romantic comedy 'Something's Gotta Give'.
But it was 'Annie Hall', which Allen loosely based on his relationship with Keaton, that established her as a consummate actress. "It was an idealised version of me, let's put it that way," Keaton said about the film in an interview with CBS News in 2004.
Keaton was also a director, writer, producer, and photographer and had a passion for restoring California mansions. She detailed her life in two memoirs, 'Then Again' in 2011, in which she revealed she had suffered from the eating disorder bulimia in her 20s, and 'Let's Just Say it Wasn't Pretty' in 2014.
She was equally famous for high-profile romances with her leading men: Allen; Warren Beatty, her co-star and director in 'Reds'; and Al Pacino, who played her boyfriend and husband in "The Godfather" films.
Keaton was born Diane Hall in Los Angeles on January 5, 1946. The oldest of four children, she adopted her mother's maiden name to avoid confusion with another actress with the same moniker.
Her father, a civil engineer, and her housekeeper mother moved the family to suburban Santa Ana when Keaton was a child. After briefly attending college in California, Keaton moved to New York to study at the Neighbourhood Playhouse.
She landed a role in the original Broadway rock musical 'Hair' in 1968. The shy actress, who spent years in therapy, refused to appear nude in the production. But it was an audition with Allen for the stage production of 'Play It Again, Sam' that changed her life.
Keaton won a Tony nomination for the role that sparked their romance as well as a life-long friendship and a collaboration that included many of Allen's best films such as 'Sleeper', 'Love and Death' and 'Manhattan'.
In 'Annie Hall', she immortalised the phrase "la-dee-da, la-dee-da, la-la," which was characteristic of her flighty, fluttered style. As her career progressed, she moved from ingenue roles to mature career women and mothers grappling with family issues.
She credits director Nancy Myers for her long-lasting career. They worked on four films together, including 1987's 'Baby Boom', and the 1991 remake of the 1950s film 'Father of the Bride'.
Keaton was also nominated for a lead actress Emmy in 1995 for 'Amelia Earhart: The Final Flight' and directed several films, television episodes and two music videos for singer Belinda Carlisle. Despite her well-publicized romances, she never married.
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