Paulson’s longtime friend Keaton died in October 2025 at the age of 79.
Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton dead at age 79
Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton, star of “Annie Hall” and “The Godfather,” has died at 79, according to People and The New York Times.
Sarah Paulson found a friend for life in Diane Keaton.
The Emmy-winning actress, 51, shared an emotional tribute to the late actress in an Instagram post on Monday, Jan. 5, which would have marked Keaton’s 80th birthday.
Keaton, the Oscar-winning actress, filmmaker and author best known for her role as Kay Adams-Corleone in “The Godfather” franchise, died on Oct. 11 at age 79 after a bout of pneumonia.
A copy of Keaton’s death certificate, obtained by USA TODAY, revealed her “immediate” cause of death was primary bacterial pneumonia. A few days had passed between the onset of her illness and her death at a Santa Monica hospital.
“You would have been 80 today,” Paulson wrote alongside a photo that appeared to show the actresses’ silhouettes while the pair enjoyed the outdoors. “Too many deep feelings to put here…”
Paulson also commemorated the women’s decadeslong friendship by getting a tattoo in honor of the iconic actress. The heartfelt ink, which features Keaton’s initials “DK,” was seemingly placed on Paulson’s wrist.
“I was the luckiest person in the world to have traveled, laughed so hard we cried, watched a million and one movies, really cried, and eaten French fries with you,” Paulson concluded. “You. You. Wondrous, singular, YOU. I will miss you till the end of time.”
Paulson and Keaton met while working on the 1999 romantic comedy, “The Other Sister,” which starred Keaton alongside Juliette Lewis and Giovanni Ribisi.
During an appearance at The Hollywood Reporter’s annual Women in Entertainment gala in December, Paulson recalled that the esteemed actress and then-new mother was a “class act,” who stayed late with her on set to help her prepare her lines.
Additionally, Paulson shared a series of old text messages and emails from Keaton during her gala remarks, which playfully showcased Keaton’s sharp wit and zany sense of humor. One message read, “‘We are so fortunate. Do you love being an actress? I don’t.'”
“Dear Dum-Dum, I wanna tell you I’m sorry my voicemail was always full,” Paulson concluded, posthumously addressing Keaton. “I want to tell you I’m sorry I wasn’t available by the time you called. I want to tell you how much crummier the world is without you in it…
“I want to tell you how the world lost its mind with grief the day you died. And I want to tell you, I will miss you forever and I continue to be a moron, and I know that you would be heartened to know that. But most of all, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for being my friend.”