Actress Diane Keaton dies aged 79

The Godfather star Diane Keaton has died in California at the age of 79.

The legendary actor's family confirmed her death to US magazine People.

"There are no further details available at this time, and her family has asked for privacy in this moment of great sadness," a spokesperson said.

Keaton was, of course, known for her impressive list of credits, such as roles in The First Wives Club, The Godfather (which saw her rise to fame in the 70s) and Something's Gotta Give.

Her unforgettable performance in the 1977 film Annie Hall won her an Oscar, going on to win a BAFTA, two Golden Globes and nominations for two Emmys and a Tony Award during her career.

The star was also nominated for Academy Awards for her roles in Something's Gotta Give, Marvin's Room and Reds.

An icon forever. (Vera Anderson/WireImage)

But with her long and varied career, one of Keaton's favourite projects might come as a surprise to some.

Asked which she loved the most, she told Vulture in 2020: "Honestly, you can think it’s sappy, but I love the Father of the Bride movies. They were so touching."

Keaton, of course, played Nina Banks in the films alongside Steve Martin, and her list of credits just goes on, from the likes of Book Club and Baby Boom to Finding Dory and Manhattan.

She even starred in the music video for Justin Bieber's 'Ghost' in 2021.

Born as Diane Hall, the star took her mum's maiden name for her professional name as her name had already been registered with Actors' Equity. Having gone to college to study drama, Keaton dropped out and moved to New York to make her name in theatre. She landed her first Broadway role as an understudy in Hair in 1968 before making her film debut in 1970's Lovers and Other Strangers.

Keaton's first major film role was in The Godfather and she reprised it for parts 2 and 3. (Paramount)

Then, of course, soon came The Godfather and the rest is history.

She had two children, daughter Dexter and son Duke, who she adopted in 1996 and 2001.

While Keaton never married, she was romantically linked to Woody Allen (who she collaborated with a number of times), Al Pacino and Warren Beatty throughout her life.

Back in 2019, she said to People: "Today I was thinking, I'm the only one in my generation of actresses who has been a single woman all her life.

"I'm really glad I didn't get married. I'm an oddball. I remember in high school, this guy came up to me and said, ‘One day you're going to make a good wife.’ And I thought, ‘I don't want to be a wife. No.’”