Woody Allen has paid tribute to his longtime friend and former partner, Diane Keaton, with a moving essay reflecting on their decades-long bond and creative partnership.
The Oscar-winning actress died on Saturday, October 11, at the age of 79.
In the heartfelt piece, published by The Free Press, Allen, 89, looked back on his early memories of Keaton, their romantic relationship in the 1970s, and the artistic influence she continued to have on his work throughout his career.
“It’s grammatically incorrect to say ‘most unique,’ but all rules of grammar, and I guess anything else, are suspended when talking about Diane Keaton,” he began.
“Unlike anyone the planet has experienced or is unlikely to ever see again, her face and laugh illuminated any space she entered.”
Allen recalled first meeting Keaton when she auditioned for him and producer David Merrick for the stage play Play It Again, Sam.
He wrote that she came in, read, and “knocked us both for a loop.”
At the time, Keaton was new to New York City, having recently left Orange County to pursue acting. She worked as a coat check attendant before landing a small role in the musical Hair – and later the lead.
Allen and Keaton went on to fall in love, forming both a romantic and professional partnership that would shape some of his most acclaimed films.
He revealed that he first shared the script for his debut film Take the Money and Run with her, expecting criticism, but instead received encouragement.
“Its success proved her correct and I never doubted her judgment again,” he wrote.
“I showed her every film I made after that and grew to care only about her appraisals.
“As time went on, I made movies for an audience of one, Diane Keaton.”
Allen said he came to disregard reviews entirely, focusing only on Keaton’s opinion.
In the essay, the filmmaker praised Keaton’s wide-ranging talents – from acting, dancing, and singing to photography, writing, collage-making, interior design, and film directing – describing her as one of a kind.
He also commended her distinctive fashion sense, calling it “a sight to behold.”
Though their romance ended, Allen said they remained close friends.
“We had a few great personal years together and finally we both moved on, and why we parted only God and Freud might be able to figure out,” he wrote.
Allen, who married Soon-Yi Previn in 1997, added that Keaton went on to date several “exciting” men who were “more fascinating” than him.
Concluding his tribute, Allen reflected on the loss of Keaton and her enduring legacy.
“A few days ago the world was a place that included Diane Keaton. Now it’s a world that does not. Hence, it’s a drearier world,” he wrote.
“Still, there are her movies. And her great laugh still echoes in my head.”
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