Al Pacino has expressed his sadness regarding the passing of his former partner, Diane Keaton.
The celebrated actor died at 79 years old on Saturday (October 11), with her family revealing that pneumonia was the cause of death.
Although tributes have poured in from Hollywood, there was an initial silence from Keaton’s former partner. Pacino and Keaton first encountered each other in the early 1970s while filming The Godfather. Their relationship began during the release of the trilogy’s second film in 1974.
The couple experienced an on-and-off relationship until 1990, when Keaton ended things due to Pacino’s unwillingness to marry.
After taking some time to process the heartbreaking news, the actor from Scarface released an emotional tribute in memory of Keaton.
“I am deeply saddened by Diane Keaton’s passing,” he conveyed to Deadline.
“When I first heard the news, I was shaken. Diane was my partner, my friend, someone who brought me happiness and on more than one occasion influenced the direction of my life. Though over thirty years has passed since we were together, the memories remain vivid, and with her passing, they have returned with a force that is both painful and moving.
“She lived without limits, and everything she touched carried her unmistakable energy. She opened doors for others, inspired generations and embodied a once-in-a-lifetime gift that radiated through her work and her life.”
He continued: “On screen, she was magnetic – lightning and charm, hurricanes and tenderness. She was a wonder. Acting was her art, but it was only one of the many ways she expressed her imagination and creativity.
“People will miss her, but more than that, they will remember her. She left a mark that cannot fade. She was unstoppable, resilient and above all, deeply human.
“I will always remember her. She could fly – and in my heart, she always will.”
Friends have described her death as ‘sudden,’ with a source close to People calling it ‘unexpected.’
The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that they responded to Keaton’s home shortly after 8am on Saturday (October 11), with paramedics present, and one person was taken to a nearby hospital where they were pronounced dead.
Her family issued a statement to People magazine, expressing gratitude for the public’s support.
“The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11,” the statement, given to People, read.
“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.”