Hollywood is mourning the loss of Diane Keaton who passed away on October 11 at the age of 79 due to pneumonia. Among the many tributes pouring in, Pacino, 85, has shared a heartfelt message that captures the deep bond the two once shared both on and off the screen.
“When I first heard the news, I was shaken,” Pacino told Deadline. “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 30 years have 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.”
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Pacino and Keaton’s chemistry was unforgettable in the classic ‘The Godfather’ films where they played Michael and Kay Corleone. Off screen their relationship spanned the early 1970s to 1990.
Speaking from Paris, where he was filming a project with French director Luc Besson, Pacino reflected on Keaton’s unique energy and indomitable spirit. “Everything she touched carried her unmistakable energy,” he said. “She opened doors for others, inspired generations, and embodied a once-in-a-lifetime gift that radiated through her work and her life.”
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The actor’s words emphasized more than just professional admiration; they painted a picture of a woman whose presence left a lasting mark on everyone she met. “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.”
Diane Keaton, for her part, had often spoken fondly of Al Pacino. In a 2017 interview with ‘People’, she recalled the early days on ‘The Godfather’ set. “I was mad for him. Charming, hilarious, a nonstop talker,” she said. “There was an aspect of him that was like a lost orphan, like this kind of crazy idiot savant. And oh, gorgeous!”
Despite their breakup, reportedly after Keaton asked Pacino to marry her and he declined, the pair maintained a public camaraderie. In 2017, when Keaton received the American Film Institute’s 45th Lifetime Achievement Award, Pacino took the stage to honor her, saying simply, “You’re a great artist. I love you forever.”