Diane Keaton: A Hollywood Icon Who Embraces Authentic Aging Despite Public Criticism
For decades, Diane Keaton has been open about her long battle with an eating disorder — a struggle that shaped much of her early life. Today, she stands proudly in her 70s, fully embracing her natural hair and the marks of time. Yet even a Hollywood legend isn’t immune to unkind remarks from the public.
Diane Keaton, now in her late seventies, has built a loyal fanbase across multiple generations throughout nearly 60 years in the industry. On screen, she has mastered a wide range of roles. Off screen, however, she once described herself as having been “a master at hiding,” keeping painful personal struggles secret for years.
Born in Los Angeles, Keaton began her career on stage in 1968 as an understudy in the musical Hair. There, she caught the attention of Woody Allen, who cast her as his romantic lead in the Broadway play Play It Again, Sam (1969). Her performance as Linda Christie, which she reprised in the 1972 film adaptation, earned her a Tony Award nomination at the age of 23.
Just like her on-stage romance with Allen’s character, their real-life relationship lasted only a couple of years, though they continued collaborating professionally for decades.
After a series of smaller roles, Keaton gained international recognition through her breakthrough performance in The Godfather. Her portrayal of Kay Adams, Michael Corleone’s girlfriend and later wife, raised her profile significantly. She reprised the role in The Godfather Part II (1974), playing the estranged spouse of Al Pacino’s character, with whom she also shared an on-and-off romantic relationship off screen.
Reflecting on Pacino, she once told People: “I was mad for him. Charming, hilarious, a nonstop talker… and just gorgeous.”
Her return to working with Woody Allen in Annie Hall (1977) brought her both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. She went on to star in numerous hits, including Looking for Mr. Goodbar, Manhattan, and Reds (1981), directed by and co-starring Warren Beatty — someone she had admired since seeing him in Splendor in the Grass (1961).
As she matured as an artist, Keaton expanded her repertoire. She took on roles in Father of the Bride (1991), Manhattan Murder Mystery (her first collaboration with Allen since Annie Hall), and returned once more to the Godfather saga in 1990.
In 2003, her role in Something’s Gotta Give earned her an Academy Award nomination and marked her first major box-office success since The First Wives Club (1996). Her co-star Jack Nicholson praised her work ethic and talent: “She’s fascinating to work with. Very disciplined. She memorizes the entire script before filming, which I don’t know any other actor doing.”
While her character in the film fell for Nicholson’s older character, Keaton herself shared light-hearted memories of filming with her much younger co-star, Keanu Reeves. Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, she joked about their on-screen kiss, calling it “a pretty embarrassing moment for both of us,” while also praising Reeves’ kindness and charm.
Today, Keaton embraces natural aging with confidence. “I tell myself I’m free to do whatever I want with my body. Why not? I may be a caricature of my former self; I’m still wearing wide-belted plaid coats, horn-rimmed glasses, and turtlenecks in the summertime. So what? Nobody cares but me,” she shared with The Daily Beast. “I don’t see anything wrong with cosmetic procedures. They just smooth over life’s hidden battle scars. I choose to wear mine instead.”
Despite her incredible career as an actor, director, author, and singer, Keaton has experienced public criticism about her appearance over the years. After an appearance at the Golden Globes in 2014, some online users posted harsh remarks. More recently, she was again the subject of unsolicited comments.
What many may not realize is that Keaton has spent much of her life in recovery from her past struggles with food. Appearing on The Dr. Oz Show, she spoke openly: “It was the lowest point of my life. I had tricked myself and everyone around me. Living with that kind of lie is exhausting.”
Her insecurities began early in her career. When she joined Hair, she was encouraged to lose weight for a bigger role and offered extra money to participate in a nude scene, which she declined. Under intense pressure, she developed harmful eating habits that led to a serious eating disorder.
Recognizing the need for change, Keaton entered therapy five times a week for a year to address her disorder and begin recovery. She has since redirected her focus toward work and raising her two adopted children, Dexter and Duke, whom she welcomed into her life in her 50s.
At the 2017 American Film Awards gala, Woody Allen joked about not knowing the full extent of her struggles while they dated, but Keaton has made it clear that those years were deeply serious and personal.
She later admitted, “People were kind, but I felt like an outsider. I had a problem, and it consumed a lot of my life.”
Outside of acting, Keaton has fully embraced her role as a mother and designer. She built her dream brick farmhouse, inspired by her love of Pinterest and The Three Little Pigs, described by est magazine as a “fireproof, water-resistant compound built from 75,000 handpicked clay bricks.”
Actress, singer, author, director, designer, and devoted mother — Keaton’s legacy is as multifaceted as it is inspiring. Her willingness to speak candidly about personal struggles has shed light on topics often left unspoken, and her unapologetic approach to aging continues to inspire fans worldwide.