Over the weekend, the world lost one of its most iconic screen presences. Diane Keaton — forever a trailblazer in both cinema and style — leaves behind a legacy defined not just by her iconic roles, but by the way she lived and moved through the world. Endlessly curious, deeply expressive, and always imbued with a little bit of herself, Keaton’s characters gave us more than entertainment; they gave us permission to be complicated, eccentric, stylish, and strong.
In tribute, we're looking back on some of Diane Keaton’s best performances, from The Godfather to The Family Stone – roles that shaped film history, and challenged the rules of femininity.
1. The Godfather
Kay Adams is, in many ways, the soul of The Godfather trilogy. The first film marked Keaton's first major role, but we'd argue she really came into her own in the sequels. In Part II, her character evolves from supportive outsider to the emotional core of the story — the one person willing to confront Michael Corleone’s descent. Keaton plays Kay with strength and clarity, culminating in a final confrontation that still feels devastating decades later.
2. Something’s Gotta Give (2003)
This movie combines two of our favourite cinematic forces: Diane Keaton and Nancy Meyers. Refreshingly, it's one of few romantic comedies that gives space to a woman over 50, and allows her to fall in love on their own terms. Keaton’s performance as playwright and mother Erica Barry is as raw as it is radiant. It's also the role that gave birth to the "coastal grandmother" aesthetic, that still serves as style inspiration for a generation of women two decades later.
3. Book Club (2018)
Keaton joins forces with Candice Bergen, Jane Fonda, and Mary Steenburgen as four friends whose lives are changed when their book club takes on Fifty Shades of Grey. Keaton brings warmth and elegance to a role that celebrates female friendship, desire, and independence later in life. It’s a fun, feel-good watch.
4. Baby Boom (1987)
In Baby Boom, Keaton plays J.C. Wiatt, a high-powered executive and the ultimate career woman forced to reconsider everything when she unexpectedly becomes caregiver to a baby girl. What follows is a feminist exploration of ambition, identity, and reinvention, as Keaton juggles corporate dreams with newfound family life.
5. Marvin’s Room (1996)
Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep, and Leonardo di Caprio? Say less. Keaton and Streep play estranged sisters in this deeply emotional family drama. Keaton’s portrayal of Bessie, a woman caring for her ailing father while confronting her own mortality, is deeply human. It earned her another Academy Award nomination, and it's one of her most affecting roles.
6. The Family Stone
As Sybil Stone, the matriarch of a chaotic family, Keaton brings weight to what has stood the test of time as a classic holiday movie. It's funny and heartwarming, and Keaton's portrayal is one that feels entirely real. It's not Christmas without a rewatch of The Family Stone, if you ask us.
7. Father of the Bride
This is a true 90s classic and sees Keaton play Nina Banks opposite Steve Martin as the neurotic father of the bride. She’s the emotional anchor of the film, and supportive in the way we'd hope any mother would be in the lead up to her daughter's big day. It's also another film full of iconic style moments, which is a bonus.
