Diane Keaton’s generosity and compassion have come to light following her heartbreaking death at age 79.
Businessman Evan J. Fox, the owner of Los Angeles-based food trucks Yeastie Boys Bagel, revealed that the late Hollywood icon often spent her time helping those in need.
In an interview with The Daily Mail, Fox shared how Keaton personally helped at charity events for The People Concern, a non-profit assisting victims of domestic violence and homelessness.
“Diane was at the charity events herself, feeding the unhoused herself as well as coming on the trucks to help myself and our staff hand out food and take pictures with us,” Fox told the publication.
Keaton first connected with Fox in 2022 while filming her comedy Mack and Rita, which Yeastie Boys catered. It soon grew into a friendship based on shared kindness and community work.
Fox said Keaton was the true force behind the charitable efforts.
“On all of the calls that I took with her she was always so sweet and so gracious and so grateful for what we were doing, but in reality, Diane herself spearheaded everything,” he said.
“I take no credit other than supporting her charitable endeavors.”
After news of her passing broke, Fox posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, including a photo from the Mack and Rita set and a voice message Keaton once left him, where she sang a snippet of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and shared her gratitude.
“I just want to say you’re my hero,” Keaton told Fox.
“I just think it’s so special what you’ve done with your team and they’re wonderful. I can’t thank you enough and to think of what a wonderful thing you’ve done for people.”
Fox said the message was one of his favourites.
“She left me several voicemails. That was my favorite. I had no idea she was going to sing me a very sweet Christmas song… She was so normal and down to earth and I was always so nervous to pick up the phone and talk to her cause I was in such awe, and I was actually kind of starstruck.”
Despite her A-list status, Keaton always treated Fox and his team like family.
“She always sort of made me feel like I was part of her family or a friend that I’ve had for a long time. Sweetest kindest woman. I will miss her,” Fox said.
In her honour, Yeastie Boys created The Diane Bagel, an off-menu sandwich that Fox now plans to make a permanent item.
“We are getting so much demand for it that I think I wanna put it as a permanent fixture on our menu and call it the Diane. She will live in our hearts forever.”
Keaton’s generosity extended beyond the spotlight. During the height of the pandemic, she shared humorous videos donating bags of clothes to The People Concern, writing: “IT’S FOR A GOOD CAUSE!!!”
She also supported the organisation’s Celebrating Change gala in 2018, where she posed alongside CEO John Maceri.
Fox remembered her as one of the kindest people he’d ever met.
“Rest in Power to the sweetest, kindest and coolest customer Yeastie Boys has ever had,” he wrote online. “Over the years, Diane hired us for charity work through the very special organization @thepeopleconcern… She was always so kind to our staff and myself.”
He ended his tribute with a final message to the beloved star: “DIANE THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING AND ALL YOU DID FOR THE WORLD. YOU TOUCHED MANY AND WILL ALWAYS BE A HUGE PART OF THE YEASTIE BOYS STORY. LOVE YOU FOREVER!!!!”
A family spokesperson confirmed Keaton’s death at age 79, telling People that her decline was “very sudden.” She was surrounded by her closest family in the final months before her death.
Keaton never married but adopted two children in her 50s, daughter Dexter and son Duke.
Images: Instagram/ Facebook
