Woody Allen is said to be “extremely distraught” following the passing of his former girlfriend, Diane Keaton, a source close to the director has claimed.
The Hollywood legend, famed for her performances in iconic pictures including The Godfather and Father of the Bride, died on October 11 aged 79.
Throughout her illustrious five-decade career, Diane secured an Academy Award for Best Actress for playing the titular role in Woody’s 1977 romantic comedy Annie Hall. The news comes as Paolo Bonacelli dead: Mission Impossible star dies as tributes flood in.
In the wake of her death, a host of celebrities and former co-stars have paid tribute to the beloved actress.
An insider has now disclosed Woody’s reaction to Diane’s passing, reports the Express US.
Whilst there was no recent romantic connection, Diane had previously been romantically linked with a number of A-list stars, including Woody.
The pair began their romance in 1969 after sharing accommodation briefly whilst working on Annie Hall.
By the time the picture premiered in 1972, however, their living situation had evolved into something more casual.
Their romance lasted until approximately 1974, yet they continued working together and maintained their friendship.
She went on to feature in Radio Days in 1987 and Manhattan Murder Mystery in 1993.
A source has now told People that Woody, 89, is “extremely distraught and surprised and upset” by Diane’s death, noting “it makes him think of his own mortality.”
The insider emphasised that Woody “appreciated her very much” and had been unaware her health was failing.
“Nobody seemed to know,” the source disclosed.
“He was surprised.”
In her memoir, Diane reminisced about Woody, writing, “He was so hip, with his thick glasses and cool suits. But it was his manner that got me, his way of gesturing, his hands, his coughing and looking down in a self-deprecating way while he told jokes.”
Diane also enjoyed an on-and-off romance with her Godfather co-star Al Pacino, which fizzled out after they wrapped filming on The Godfather: Part III.
Speaking to Barbara Walters in 2004, Diane Keaton couldn’t contain her admiration for Al Pacino, declaring, “Al was simply the most entertaining man. To me, that’s, that is the most beautiful face. I think Warren [Beatty] was gorgeous, very pretty, but Al’s face is like whoa. Killer, killer face.”
Diane and Warren Beatty became romantically entangled in 1979 whilst co-starring in Reds.
Diane never walked down the aisle but did welcome two children through adoption in her 50s: a daughter, Dexter, and a son, Duke.
“I figured the only way to realize my number-one dream of becoming an actual Broadway musical comedy star was to remain an adoring daughter. Loving a man and becoming a wife would have to be put aside,” she penned in the memoir.
“The names changed, from Dave to Woody, then Warren, and finally Al. Could I have made a lasting commitment to them? Hard to say. Subconsciously, I must have known it could never work, and because of this, they’d never get in the way of achieving my dreams.”
After Annie Hall arrived in cinemas, legions of fans speculated whether the film was inspired by Diane’s actual romance with Woody Allen.
She swiftly dismissed such speculation during an interview with The New York Times, stating: “It’s not true, but there are elements of truth in it. It’s about a relationship, and because Woody and I know each other well and have had a relationship, there’s a quality of truth in it. My real last name is Hall, for instance.
“But we didn’t meet on the tennis court; we met at an audition for Woody’s play, Play It Again, Sam. I have a Volkswagen, but I’m a slow driver, a cautious driver, too slow. I’m a nervous wreck when I meet a man, but I don’t smoke marijuana at all. I have in the past, when I was in Hair. But it makes me a little nervous, and I feel nervous enough without it.
“I like a glass of wine, which makes me more relaxed. My parents are not from Wisconsin, but Balboa Island, California, and they’re nothing at all like the parents in the film – but they are goyim. I’ve never had spiders in my bathtub. Roaches, maybe. And I’ve never had an affair with a rock ‘n’ roller.”
During a 1975 People magazine interview, Woody hailed Diane as “one of the greatest natural comediennes I’ve ever seen.”
In the same year, renowned late-night television host Johnny Carson gave his take on their relationship, saying, “I think she’s Woody’s sister. Both of them are uncomfortable and withdrawn in a crowd. She’s a free spirit – and her vulnerability is a good quality. She’s honest about being what she is, and that’s rare.”
Fast forward to 2018, Diane publicly stood by Woody when he was once again accused of child molestation by his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, whom he shared with ex-partner Mia Farrow. The allegations resurfaced during the #MeToo movement.
At the time, Diane took to Twitter to express her support, stating, “Woody Allen is my friend and I continue to believe him. It might be of interest to take a look at the 60 Minute interview from 1992 and see what you think.”
During this interview, Woody vehemently denied any wrongdoing, refuting claims that he had molested Dylan when she was just seven years old. A source close to People magazine revealed that Woody felt “always grateful” for Diane’s unwavering support and that they “used to talk on the phone and communicate.”
The insider added, “Every time she stood up for him, he would reach out to her and text.”