Celebrities React to the Death of Diane Keaton at Age 79: Robert De Niro, Viola Davis and More

Celebrities are mourning the loss of Diane Keaton, who died at age 79.

People broke the news of her death on Saturday, October 11, confirming that The Godfather star died in California. Further details have yet to be released as her family asks for privacy during this difficult time.

Bette Midler was one of the first stars to break their silence following news of Keaton’s death.

“The brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary Diane Keaton has died. I cannot tell you how unbearably sad this makes me,” Midler, 79, captioned an Instagram post on Saturday. “She was hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star. What you saw was who she was … oh, la, lala!”

Keaton’s Father of the Bride costar Steve Martin shared a photo of her on X.

“Loved!” he wrote. “La dee da, la dee da.”

Some stars — like Brad Garrett and Olivia Munn — reacted to the news via Instagram comments, sharing broken heart and crying face emojis. Others opted for lengthier messages to honor the late actress.

Keep scrolling to see which stars have spoken out following Keaton’s death:

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

“She was a revolutionary actor-both comedically and dramatically,” the Veep actress wrote via social media on Saturday. “She was a singular artist. I am so grateful to her and may she rest in peace. @diane_keaton #dianekeaton.”

Michael Douglas

“RIP to my friend Diane Keaton. A heartbreaking loss of one of the greatest icons in our industry,” Douglas wrote via Instagram. “I have so many fond memories of working with Diane on our film And So It Goes nearly twelve years ago. Sending my deepest condolences to the Keaton family during this difficult time.”

Mia Farrow

“She was an absolutely wonderful actress- and a rare and fascinating person,” Farrow, Woody Allen’s ex-wife, wrote via Instagram alongside a black and white photo of the late actress. “Thoughts with her children and sisters. Rest in peace Diane.”

Abby Lee Miller

“This was one of those Hollywood stories one can only dream about! I was in the middle of getting my hair done and Diane Keaton‘s children wanted a picture with me!” the reality TV star wrote via Instagram, recalling her chance encounter with the late actress. “Here’s this brilliant screen legend standing in front of me right in Santa Monica asking if her kids could have a picture? Whaaaaat?!?! Of Course Ms Keaton ~ and may I have a picture with you? She will be missed by millions, yet her performances will continue to entertain audiences forever! Thank you ~ Diane Keaton.”

Reese Witherspoon

While on stage at her Shine Away event in Los Angeles on Saturday, Witherspoon opened up about how important Keaton was to her in her early career.

“I just wanted to talk to you for one second because, and I’m gonna try to get through this without tearing up, but I don’t know if you guys heard that Diane Keaton passed,” she said shortly after taking the sage. “And I had to take a second to just really think about it because when I was 15 years old — Diane was really important she was one of my first mentors in this business — I was 15 years old and I was from Nashville, Tennessee, and I didn’t know anybody and I came on, it was my second maybe my third movie audition ever, and I auditioned for her and she looked at me after … and she goes, who are you?”

Witherspoon went on to share how she responded wholeheartedly to the then-directer, telling Keaton, “I’m Reese Witherspoon. I’m from Nashville Tennessee.”

“She said, ‘Are you making that up? That accent that you’re doing?’” Reese continued to recall, before adding that Keaton told her, “Well, you’re hired today, tomorrow [and] the next day. I don’t know who you are, but I’m excited to have you.”

Melissa Joan Hart

“There are some people you think will live forever and it took my breathe away to hear about Diane Keaton passing away today! He[r] body of work, her class, her style, her ability to be wildly talented and keep her private life out of tabloids is@to be respected and studied for generations,” the actress wrote via social media on Saturday. “Thanks for the laughs and tears! From #BabyBoom to #SomethingsGottaGive, I’ve enjoyed every movie I’ve seen with her but I have to admit I’ve never seen #AnnieHall. I know what I’m doing this weekend now! #GodBlesstheFunnyPeople.”

KaDee Strickland

“SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE was one of my first jobs, and I was privileged to work opposite one of my greatest heroes. @diane_keaton wore the cape the entire time,” the actress, who worked alongside Keaton in her memorable rom-com, Something’s Gotta Give, wrote via Instagram on Saturday. “She was welcoming, kind, & so very focused. And, of course, so funny. An artist of the highest caliber. #dianekeaton #rip 🤍.”

Clint Eastwood

“Rest in Peace, Diane Keaton,” the famed actor and director wrote on Saturday. “In 1991, Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals honored Clint and Diane Keaton as Man and Woman of the Year — a moment that quietly brought together two artists defined by integrity, independence, and endurance.”

He continued, “This rare photograph, preserved from that ceremony, marks the only known occasion the two appeared publicly together. Years later, Keaton expressed her admiration, saying: [I would love to work with … Clint Eastwood, of course.’ Sadly, it never came to pass.”

Ben Stiller

The Dodgeball star took to X to share his condolences following news of the actress’ death.

“Diane Keaton. One of the greatest film actors ever,” he wrote on Saturday. “An icon of style, humor and comedy. Brilliant. What a person.

Kimberly Williams-Paisley

“This breaks my heart,” the Father of the Bride alum wrote in an Instagram comment. “Getting to work with Diane Keaton will always be one of the highlights of my life.”

Henry Winkler

“Diane was a really good friend of ours,” the actor wrote via X following news of Keaton’s death. “What an extraordinary talented woman. Diane, you will be so missed on the Earth. Rest sweetly as sweet as sweet as you have been to everyone you have met. Love, Harry and Stacey.”

Matthew Modine

“Every so often a person comes along that defies all definition,” the actor and filmmaker wrote on Saturday via X. “They’re a wonderful mystery. Sometimes they go digging within themselves attempting to discover something hidden inside — and then discover something magical — which they keep private. Diane was like that. All that and more — all packaged behind her gorgeous smile, razor sharp wit, and deliciously infectious laugh. Good speed, sister.”

Josh Gad

“What a monumental loss. Diane Keaton in many ways defined my love of movies,” the Frozen star captioned an Instagram post. “From Annie Hall to the Godfather films, from First Wives Club to Baby Boom, from Father of the Bride to Something’s Gotta Give, here [sic] resume was nothing short of iconic and hall of fame worthy.”

Gad revealed they crossed paths “many years ago on an unproduced HBO pilot” and he has great memories of their time together.

“What I found was one of the most humble, ruthlessly funny, and unbelievably talented human beings I’ve ever come across,” he added. “In many ways, this year will be defined by the loss of a Hollywood we will never again see.”

Gad’s message concluded, “There simply are no replacements for a Gene Hackman or a Robert Redford or a Diane Keaton. They were the mavericks who helped redefine movies for a generation and losing them feels like also losing a chance inactive tissue to that golden age just out of reach. My heart goes out to Diane’s entire family during this impossible moment. RIP.”

Kate Hudson

“We love you so much Diane,” the actress shared via Instagram, sharing a clip from The First Wives Club.

Sophia Bush

“Absolutely heart crushed about Diane Keaton,” she captioned an Instagram Story post on October 11. “RIP legend. Thank you for teaching me more than I could ever list out.”

Carrie Preston

“An absolute icon — inspiring, original, and a true force of artistry and expression,” the actress wrote in the comments section on Variety’s Instagram post. “Condolences to her family and all of her loved ones.”

Sarah Hyland

“Heartbroken,” the Modern Family alum wrote in the comment section of People’s Instagram post, sharing the news of Keaton’s death.

Beverly Mitchell

The 7th Heaven alum referred to Keaton as “a legend” when reacting to the news of her death in an Instagram comment.

Arielle Kebbel

“I can’t,” the actress shared in an Instagram comment. “Robert Jane and now Diane. Our world is not the same. Hope you all are hugging in heaven.”

Jeremy O. Harris

The actor and playwright shared a tribute to Keaton via X on October 11.

“RIP to one of America’s most graceful, elegant, and fiercely talented muses Diane Keaton who maintained a sense of self throughout her many roles that was a reminder to me as a young performer that the most interesting person you can mine are the many aspects of yourself,” Harris captioned a photo of the late actress.

Ricki Lake

“This is too much. Omg,” the actress wrote in an Instagram comment. “Nooooooooooo!”

Nia Long

“Noooooooo!” the actress shared in an Instagram comment. “Heartbreaking.”

Derek Hough

“Heartbreaking,” the professional dancer wrote in the comments of People’s Instagram post. “That feels so unexpected.

Garcelle Beauvais

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum wrote, “NOOOOO,” on People’s Instagram post announcing the news of Keaton’s death.

Raven Goodwin

“The best to ever do it!” the actress wrote in an Instagram comment.

Piers Morgan

“RIP Diane Keaton, 79,” Morgan wrote in a statement via X on October 11. “Oscar-winning star of Annie Hall, brilliant in the Godfather and Father of the Bride movies. One of Hollywood’s greatest actresses, and a delightful lady. Sad news.”

Mandy Moore

“They say don’t meet your heros but I got to work with one of mine and even call her ‘mom’ for a few months. An honor of a lifetime,” the actress wrote on Instagram, referring to the 2007 movie Because I Said So. “What an incandescent human Di is and was.”

Moore added, “I am so sad she’s gone for all the reasons but also because it felt like she’d be here forever, dazzling us with her talent and charm (and her style, c’mon)!!! One of the very best to ever do it. All my love to her children and loved ones.”

Ashley Tisdale

“Devestated to hear about @diane_keaton,” Tisdale shared via Instagram Stories. “One of my biggest inspirations, I always wanted to meet her in person.”

Vanessa Hudgens

“RIP to this icon,” she wrote in an Instagram Story post. “What a gift — the films she left us with.”

Belinda Carlisle

The singer-songwriter shared memories of Keaton directing her music videos in the early 1990s.

“She was such a talent and a big part of my career,” Carlisle wrote via Instagram. “She directed two videos of mine — ‘Heaven Is A Place on Earth’ and the video for ‘I Get Weak.’ She was kind and eccentric and I was blessed to know her. This is such a big loss.”

Ed Begley Jr.

Keaton’s Book Club costar exclusively told Us Weekly that he considered her a “dear, dear friend.”

“I was extremely close to Diane. I loved her a lot,” he said. “It hit me hard when I heard of her passing.”

Maria Shriver

The journalist remembered Keaton as “a true original.”

“I grew up watching her, marveling at her. I watched as she made her mark across all kinds of creative fields,” Shriver wrote. “She was always growing, creating, staying true to her original self. We lived in the same neighborhood, ate at the same neighborhood restaurant. She was always joyful, kind, generous in spirit.”

Viola Davis

Davis admitted she was completely stunned by Keaton’s sudden passing.

“No!! No!!! No!! God, not yet, NO!!! Man… you defined womanhood,” Davis wrote via Instagram. “The pathos, humor, levity, your ever-present youthfulness and vulnerability — you tattooed your SOUL into every role, making it impossible to imagine anyone else inhabiting them. You were undeniably, unapologetically YOU!!! Loved you. Man… rest well. God bless your family, and I know angels are flying you home.”

Marcia Gay Harden

Keaton’s onscreen nemesis in The First Wives Club reflected on how close they were in real life.

“Oh how we are going to miss this beautiful, unique, talented, compassionate woman … Indeed she did ‘work from love and grow from love’ and share it all with us!” Harden declared.

Robert De Niro

Keaton’s Marvin’s Room costar remembered her as “brilliant, funny, and unapologetically herself.”

“A legend, an icon, and a truly kind human being,” the legendary actor said in a statement. “I had the honor of working with her at 18. She will be deeply missed.”