Diane Keaton’s cause of death revealed by family as they thank fans for their 'love and support'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Diane Keaton's cause of death has been revealed by her family.

Issuing a sentimental statement to People on Wednesday, October 15, they informed that the Oscar-winning actress died of pneumonia.

Keaton's family, via the statement, expressed their gratitude for the “extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane.”

Family requests donations to food banks and animal shelters in Diane Keaton's honor

The 'Annie Hall' star's family went on to share that she was deeply committed to supporting the unhoused community and caring for animals.

They said, "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."

Diane Keaton's health deteriorated rapidly

A close source confirmed to People that Diane Keaton's health deteriorated rapidly before her death on Saturday, calling the sudden decline "heartbreaking for everyone who loved her," adding that "it was so unexpected, especially for someone with such strength and spirit."

"In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private. Even longtime friends weren't fully aware of what was happening," they further mentioned.  

911 call recording details Diane Keaton's final moments

Diane Keaton's final moments were captured in an early Saturday morning 911 call. 

The recording, obtained by TMZ, documented the dispatcher's request for the Los Angeles Fire Department to respond to her residence at 8 am for a "person down." 

Reportedly, the 'Father of the Bride' actress was taken via an ambulance to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

The actress is survived by her two younger sisters, Dorrie and Robin Hall, and her two children, daughter Dexter Keaton and son Duke Keaton, whom she adopted in 1996 and 2001.

Diane Keaton’s early life and rise from LA to the New York stage

Born Diane Hall in Los Angeles in 1946, Diane Keaton was the eldest of four children. Her father was a civil engineer, and her mother, who stayed at home, was a creative spirit who inspired Keaton’s own artistic ambitions.

“Secretly, in her heart of hearts, she probably wanted to be an entertainer,” Keaton said in 2004. “She sang, she played piano, she was beautiful, she was my advocate.”

After high school, Keaton studied drama in college but soon dropped out and moved to New York to pursue theater. She adopted her mother’s maiden name, becoming “Diane Keaton,” after discovering another Diane Hall was already registered with Actors’ Equity.

Her first major break came in the late 1960s as an understudy in 'Broadway’s Hair'.

In 1970, Keaton made her film debut in ‘Lovers and Other Strangers’. But her defining moment came two years later when Francis Ford Coppola cast her as Kay Adams, Michael Corleone’s conflicted wife, in ‘The Godfather.’

She reprised the role in ‘The Godfather Part II’ (1974) and ‘Part III’ (1990). 

Keaton’s next major triumph came with Woody Allen’s 'Annie Hall' (1977), a role that earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. 'Annie Hall' not only redefined romantic comedies but also turned the actress' signature menswear-inspired style into a cultural phenomenon.

Through the 1980s and ’90s, Keaton continued to deliver powerful and eclectic performances. She charmed audiences in ‘Baby Boom’ (1987), ‘Father of the Bride’ (1991), and ‘The First Wives Club’(1996).

She went on to earn three more Oscar nominations for her roles in 'Reds' (1981), 'Marvin’s Room' (1996), and 'Something’s Gotta Give' (2003). 

Keaton's final film was 'Summer Camp' (2024), in which she starred alongside Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard.