In one of her final public appearances, Diane Keaton attended a birthday celebration for longtime friend and “Something’s Gotta Give” co-star Jack Nicholson, bringing a poignant note to the memories that followed her passing.
Actor Ed Begley Jr. recalled seeing her at the party during an interview at the EMA Awards with PEOPLE.
He added that Keaton and Nicholson shared mutual affection, and that her presence at the event was a fitting emblem of her lifelong connections.
“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,” he told the outlet.
Nicholson celebrated a birthday at the end of April. Keaton’s last public appearance was in 2024 when she was spotted running errands, according to E! News.
’Something’s Gotta Give’ Was Keaton’s Favorite Film
In Keaton’s autobiography “Then Again,” she dished on the surprise movie that was her favorite, according to The Guardian.
Keaton said in her 2011 memoir that the film, which reunited her with Nicholson in a later-life romantic comedy, ultimately became her favorite of all her films.
She confessed she believed the project was “destined to fail” when she first read the script.
Yet the movie surpassed expectations both critically and commercially, and became a touchstone in her career.
She recalled a particularly joyful moment when she received a check for her back-end percentage — “a check with a lot of zeros.” She was confused about the payment, so she called up her agent to realize that Nicholson had given her a piece of his own percentage of the film.
The film, directed by Nancy Meyers and co-starring Keanu Reeves, cast Keaton as an older divorcee who finds romance in unexpected places.
Memorials & Tributes from Colleagues
Following news of Keaton’s death on October 11, tributes have come from across the entertainment world.
Henry Winkler remembered her as someone who was “a really good friend… We laughed a lot,” and sent wishes that she “rest sweetly.”
Marisa Tomei shared her remembrance with graceful brevity: “She danced through life with wit and wonder. Thank you for showing us how to live wide open.”
Final Months & Family Life
Keaton passed away at age 79. Her death was confirmed by her family, who have requested privacy in their grieving.
In her final months, reports say she had experienced a significant decline in health, with close friends observing that she appeared thinner than in prior years.
Keaton is survived by her adopted children, Dexter and Duke.
I loved Diane Keaton in Baby Boom she was fantastic in it I watch it over and over! I’ll miss her so much !!
Diane was/is my favorite actress. I love her, especially in Baby Boom. I will miss her greatly. The world was a better place when she was here! God, take good care of her!
Miss Diane Keaton, this world won’t be the same without you. Baby Boomers is when I seen what a talented actor you are. After that I never missed anythinĝ you were in. Thank you for sharing your amazing talents with us. What a blessing it was. Rest in peace
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Love you so much. One of my favorite actresses. I will miss you so much.
Annie Hall was the real Diane- no acting required…
Hands down, First Wives Club was my fave..Interesting point: All three of the fab women were born less than 2 months apart…Goldie end of Nov.1945, Bett early December 1945 and Di early Jan.1946!!
Diane was and is a beloved icon of my generation, brimming with genius and life and wit and courage throughout, loved her in every movie, especially the comedies, Annie Hall of course, Baby Boom amazing! First Wives, all three of them, and of course Something’s Gotta Give.