The family of actress Diane Keaton has announced the cause of her death on Oct. 11.
“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,” her family told People magazine Wednesday.
“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,” the family’s statement continued.
Keaton, 79, acted for more than 60 years, appearing on film, television and theater, per Fox News.
The actress, who won one Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards and one BAFTA Award, known for her roles in “The Godfather,” “Annie Hall,” “The First Wives Club” and “Father of the Bride.”
She was born in Los Angeles in 1946, and graduate from Santa Ana College. She then moved to New York City and was cast in the Broadway musical “Hair” in 1968.
Her film debut was in “Lovers and Other Strangers.”
She breakout role came as Kay Adams Corleone, the wife of Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone, in Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic “The Godfather” in 1972.
She reprised her role in the film’s sequels — 1974’s “The Godfather Part II” and the 1990s “The Godfather Part III.”
She won an Academy Award for 1977’s “Annie Hall,” which she starred with Woody Allen.
She also received Oscar nominations for three other films — 1981’s “Reds,” 1996’s “Marvin’s Room,” and 2003’s “Something’s Gotta Give.”
A source told People her death was unexpected.
Her health “declined very suddenly, which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her,” the source said.
Her death “was so unexpected, especially for someone with such strength and spirit,” the person added.
“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,” the source said.
